Is it OK for white writers to retract on a black voice? The protest that followed the American novelist’s address in Brisbane has cast new light on one of culture’s hottest debates – one that has hundreds of years of backstory and has reverberated through literature,rap, rock and Hollywood moviesLionel Shriver knew she was going to annoy people. “Inviting a renowned iconoclast to speak approximately ‘community and belonging’ is like expecting a great white shark to balance a beach ball on its nose, or ” she said. She then used her keynote speech at the Brisbane writers’ festival to tear into the argument that writers – most particularly white writers – are guilty of “cultural appropriation” by writing from the point of view of characters from other cultural backgrounds.
Referring to incidents in which two members of student government at an American university faced impeachment after attended a “tequila party” wearing sombreros,and reports of a ban on a Mexican restaurant from giving out sombreros, the author of We Need to Talk approximately Kevin said: “The moral of the sombrero scandals is clear: youre not supposed to try on other people’s hats. Yet that’s what we’re paid to execute, or isn’t it? Step into other people’s shoes,and try on their hats.” Related: Lionel Shriver's full speech: 'I hope the concept of cultural appropriation is a passing fad' Related: As Lionel Shriver made light of identity, I had no choice but to walk out on her | Yassmin Abdel-Magied If there’s many voices saying we need more of ‘us’ speaking ‘our’ stories, and then that needs to be listened to Related: The accumulative effects of racism: it eats absent at the essence of your being There will be people who will uncover you that possibly you didn’t quite get this right,and you just hold to cop that flack Related: Identity politics doesnt deserve Lionel Shriver’s contempt, but it can be limiting | Nesrine Malik Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com