Unbound
  • Blog
  • Authors
  • Books
  • Appearances
  • Blog
  • Authors
  • Books
  • Appearances

Diverse in Many Ways: Exploring What it Means to be a POC Author

2/6/2019

20 Comments

 
​By Richard Ho

I’m proud to be a diverse author.

I just worry that I’m not being a very good one.

To clarify: I’m not talking about the fear of being a bad writer. (Though what writer doesn’t fear that?) My worry is that I’m falling short of the expectations that come with being a POC author. 

In this era of #OwnVoices and #WeNeedDiverseBooks, I feel a responsibility to write stories that authentically reflect the experiences of the under-represented groups I identify with. I say groups, because the pressure I feel is twofold: not only am I Asian, but I’m also an Orthodox Jew. 

The fact that I’m Chinese is obvious to anyone who looks at my headshot. The fact that I converted to Judaism over a decade ago, and have been keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath ever since, is probably more of a surprise. (It’s hard to see, but I am wearing a yarmulke in that picture!)
Picture
​Being Chinese and being Jewish are both foundational pieces of my identity. And while some aspects of my religious observance occasionally present minor challenges in my life as an author (for one, conferences on Saturdays aren’t really an option for me), I can’t think of too many communities that would be more tolerant and understanding of my circumstances. As an example, the organizers of KidLitCon in Providence (where I’ll be appearing on a panel next month) were extremely accommodating, making every effort to schedule the panel on Friday so that I could participate!

So given the warm welcome I’ve already experienced in my brief time as a member of this community, the challenge for me is not finding acceptance. The challenge is finding my voice.

Do I identify as an Asian-American author? A Jewish author? The even rarer designation of Chinese-Jewish author? Do I have an obligation to write stories that speak exclusively to any or all of those perspectives? Through which prism should I focus my creative efforts?

Should I make those distinctions at all? 

That’s the thing about prisms: they have many sides.

My first two sold books are about the Curiosity rover and a lost package, respectively. From a diversity standpoint, they admittedly don’t move the needle. (No one is clamoring for greater representation of robotic cars or cardboard boxes in publishing, as far as I know.) I do have stories in the works that speak to a Chinese or Jewish perspective—and some to both simultaneously. But they are all part of a wider tapestry of stories that cannot be grouped under a single umbrella.
Picture
​And ultimately, I hope that’s okay. I hope it’s possible to be a diverse author, while maintaining diversity in interests, tastes, and creative output. 

Yes, we absolutely need more books that are diverse in race, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, and every other marginalized group in modern society. And as diverse authors, we should embrace our unique platform to put more of those authentic stories into the world. But we should also allow ourselves the recognition that a given reader might find a wide range of stories appealing—and not necessarily just the ones that reflect them. I know I do.

As a POC author, I’m extremely fortunate to be in this position, to have the opportunity to make books. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. I hope to use that opportunity to create stories that reflect every aspect of my multi-faceted identity—as well as stories that transcend identity. I want to write for Chinese audiences, Jewish audiences, and all audiences in general. And I plan to champion diversity in all of its forms, both in the stories I consume and the ones I create. 

I’m an Asian author. I’m a Jewish author.

I’m an author.

And boy, do I have stories to tell.
20 Comments
Sara Shacter link
2/6/2019 06:57:58 am

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on such an important, and complex, topic.

Reply
Teresa Robeson link
2/6/2019 10:34:00 am

Well said, my friend! And what fun to learned so much about you, too. :)

Reply
Jyoti Gopal
2/18/2019 06:28:11 am

This is exactly how I feel! Well said Richard.

Reply
freecodezilla link
9/5/2022 07:31:26 am

Really informative article, I had the opportunity to learn a lot, thank you. https://freecodezilla.net/

Reply
website kurma link
9/11/2022 04:15:24 pm

Really informative article, I had the opportunity to learn a lot, thank you. https://kurma.website/

Reply
website kurma link
9/14/2022 04:14:13 pm

Really informative article, I had the opportunity to learn a lot, thank you. https://bit.ly/site-kurma

Reply
site kurma link
9/30/2022 09:48:52 am

It's great to have this type of content. Good luck with your spirit. Thank you. https://bit.ly/site-kurma

Reply
erzincan escort link
10/4/2022 02:33:43 pm

I think this post is useful for people. It has been very useful for me. Looking forward to the next one, thank you. https://escortnova.com/escort-ilanlari/erzincan-escort/

Reply
elmali escort link
10/5/2022 03:32:57 pm

I follow your posts closely. I can find it thanks to your reliable share. Thank you. https://escortnova.com/escort-ilanlari/antalya-escort/elmali-escort/

Reply
digor escort link
10/6/2022 11:22:14 pm

I think the content is at a successful level. It adds enough information. Thank you. https://escortnova.com/escort-ilanlari/kars-escort/digor-escort/

Reply
ipekyolu escort link
10/8/2022 08:48:59 am

Thoughtful and real content is shared. Thank you for these shares. https://escortnova.com/escort-ilanlari/van-escort/ipekyolu-escort/

Reply
Korsan Taksi link
11/11/2022 12:25:36 pm

Sitemizi ziyaret et: https://taksikenti.com/

Reply
evden iş imkanı link
11/21/2022 09:16:36 am

Hemen Göz At evde para kazanmaya basla: https://sites.google.com/view/evden-ek-is/

Reply
betinfo link
11/22/2022 08:06:31 pm

It was a successful post.These types of posts are very helpful.

Reply
mrbahis link
12/6/2022 05:17:01 pm

Congratulations for the successful article. I can't wait for the sequel.

Reply
mrbahis link
12/8/2022 04:52:39 pm

This is nice work. Seeing good works on good days gives one peace of mind.

Reply
vbet link
12/9/2022 05:54:36 am

Congratulations, it's a nice post. I'm always waiting for such nice posts in the future.

Reply
instagram beğeni satın al link
12/9/2022 09:01:36 am

İnstagram beğeni satışı yapan firmamıza göz atın: https://takipcialdim.com/instagram-begeni-satin-al/

Reply
betpark link
12/20/2022 08:43:27 pm

Betpark giriş adresi burada.

Reply
100 tl bonus veren siteler link
1/8/2023 10:16:38 pm

100 tl deneme bonusu veren siteleri öğrenmek istiyorsan tıkla.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Notable19s

    We are a group of writers and illustrators who have debut books (actual debuts , debuts as author-illustrators, or debuts with medium/large publishers) forthcoming in 2019. Thank you for joining us on our exciting journey!

    Archives

    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Diversity
    Interview

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.