In a nation where we used to see in color, we've made great strides. We've matured. We've embraced equality.
So imagine my surprise when a friend forwards me a writing contest with this requirement: "Must be an author of color."
First of all, what's an author of color? White's a color, right? Or do they mean only black people? Yellow? Red?
Second of all, how can that term even be politically correct? I've never called myself by a color. I've only seen two colors on demographic sheets, white or black. Usually they are much more PC, calling it "Caucasian" and "African-American." They go on to list Asian and a myriad of races, but not colors. I've never filled out "brown."
Third of all, how is that not discrimination? I know it's a contest and not a job, but it just smacks me of all sorts of wrong. Why not ask for books that are ethnically diverse instead of focusing on the author? I just squirm all over at the referencing of color and people in the same sentence.
What think you? Am I overreacting?
Today's blog spot is over at Arlee Bird! Such a gem for hosting me! Be sure and stop by his blog for a chance to win a free ebook!
4 comments:
I'll tell you right now, that if the rules stated, "must be a white author" that contest would be shut down, stat.
There are a lot of things I've seen that are color restricted--clubs, colleges, contests, grants, etc--and yet if something were to be restricted to white only I think there would be real problems. Color restrictions don't usually bother me, but I think they are sometimes ironic.
Lee
Tossing It Out
when I was teaching at the YWCA we had to do these justice talking sessions for part of our training. One was focused solely on racial discriminations. I found it to contain more steriotyping than political correctness, and was even told that because I didn't self-select myself to sit with the "people of color" side of the room, I must either have white-guilt or not be in touch with my latina side. All in all, it was a rather frustrating and tearful afternoon, for I've never felt so attacked for NOT defining myself by color.
Wow Elisa, that's... pretty crazy.
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