Dear Author, Loved Your Story, But Before We Publish It, You Gotta Change Your White Characters To Black Cuz..Well…You’re Black Aren’t You?
Wednesday, April 19, 2006Posted in: Uncategorized
Well, I’ve just come across the most fucking disgraceful thing ever.
Apparently, in order for Millennia Black’s next book to be published, she has to change her white characters to black. Why? Because she’s black, and the publisher wants her stuck in AA fiction ghetto hell.
Her first novel, The Great Pretender featured black characters, and so, she’s now been neatly labelled, thus no-colour swapping allowed. What. The. FUCK?
How the frigging hell does this happen in this day and age?
To the editor or indeed publisher who thought this was a smart move, YOU RACIST TWATS ABSOLUTE FUCKING MORONIC ARSEHOLES!
Millennia, they fucked you over on your first book, and now this? Seriously, you need to find a more enlightened publisher.
Ok, I’m done.
Millenia Black
April 19
4:19 pm
Hi Karen – You’re supposed to think THE GREAT PRETENDER has black characters (that’s what everyone thinks since 1) there are two colored faces prominently featured on the cover and 2) it’s categorized as African-American fiction), but as I just posted somewhere else, it does not. Not a one. No black people. No “black culture”. Nobody eating chitlins or sucking watermelons.
So, gee, I wonder where they got the idea to label it black? Hmm.
This is what’s been so hurtful to me. Something like this would never be done to a white author. Never.
Shelby
April 19
5:58 pm
This is a disgrace.
Millenia, it’s time to find a new publisher. I’m so sorry you’ve been bruised like this. Please don’t let it weigh down your desire to write love stories.
God, isn’t there ANYTHING that doesn’t have some sort of freakin’ division between races? It’s so discouraging!
Shelby
Joy
April 19
6:34 pm
Does anybody know who the publishers are? They can’t be allowed to get away with such blatant racism. Name and shame away!
Shawn
April 19
7:58 pm
It’s so easy to tell her to get another publisher.
Now let’s talk reality.
You don’t think the powers that be know how to cover their asses and turn this whole thing around to make it look like a simple case of a “difficult to work with” author?
And what happens to “difficult to work” with authors?
I’ve noticed on Millenia and Karen’s comments, very few people left real names or links. Why? Usually when Karen post something controversial, people break their necks to leave comments.
I can guarantee you when I blog, there probably won’t be more than 2 comments. Why? Once again, if you aren’t Black this doesn’t affect you, so more than likely a lot of people aren’t going to want to stick their necks out for something that doesn’t affect them.
Anonymous
April 19
8:06 pm
Whenever it comes to black vs white issues, I’ve noticed that the white contingent stay tellingly quiet on the subject. I think your right Shawn, if it doesn’t affect them, they simply pretend it’s not happenning, and yes I choose to remain anonymous as that is my right to do so.
azteclady
April 19
9:05 pm
This comes after yet another blog post and lengthy discussion in Romancing the Blog about racism in the RITAS and in the placement of AA books in book stores – what the hell is wrong with this world?
Wendy
April 19
10:55 pm
My theory is that the publishers of romance books KNOW that their readers believe each book is actually autobiographical.They also KNOW that we are dumb as dirt and cannot get our heads around the idea that writers imagine a world and make up stories.
Maili
April 20
12:04 am
I saw this blog post earlier and I had to grab a link for my blog to return later. 😀
I have to admit that that is a familiar story because we have a similar issue in scriptwriting, e.g. if you are disabled, then your script OUGHT to focus on a disability issue, or if you are a black/Asian/whatever scriptwriter, then surely, your lead character would grapple with “important” social issues, such as racism?
It drove me f. nuts sometimes. It just didn’t make sense to me. I mean, no one blinked twice when a female scriptwriter penned a male-dominated story or vice versa, so why the fuck should … oh, my blood pressure has just skyrocketed. AAGATREAGHAOLDSIN! I’m so glad I left.
Shawn
April 20
12:05 am
Hate to say I told you so…
When I blogged about this at 12:59 pm my counter was at 2946. I left my house at 1:06pm and returned about 10 minutes ago.
My counter is at 2982 and I have exactly one comment.
No one cares because it doesnt affect them personally.
azteclady
April 20
12:36 am
Shawn, I tried to comment, but you only allow people with blogger accounts to comment, so I couldn’t. I did comment at Millenia’s blog, though.
Maili
April 20
12:49 am
No one cares because it doesnt affect them personally.
Shawn, I have quite a few rants at my blog [mostly about deafness/disability and being a Scot], but I never saw your comments there. Does this mean you don’t give a crap about those issues? :>
Many do care, but for reasons known only to them, they don’t always make themselves known. They might think they don’t need to say anything because they are in agreement with, say, your comments.
Of course, there is a number who doesn’t care, but who cares about those who don’t care? 😛
FWIW, anyway. :>
Monica
April 20
1:02 am
I think race is such a effin’ blistering topic. People shut up for fear of getting burned. But this is the shit. If something similar happened to an Asian author, the blogs would be hopping all over it.
Zinnia
April 20
1:49 am
I read this on another blog too. It really depresses the heck out of me because if it weren’t for the wonderful writers out there, the publishers wouldn’t have a pot to piss in.
Rosie
April 20
2:24 am
This is so obscene. As a reader I’m offended often by covers that show a teenager with a six pack abs and no such character exists in the book…that just sucks. But to change the cover characters by color and they don’t even exist in the book…obscene.
I can only imagine how helpless and impotent it must feel to an author trying to make headway and break into publishing and not be able to do much with a publisher for fear of repercussions. All the blood sweat and tears into your work and then to have it misrepresented. Millennia how do you cope?
Karen, I have only a handful of sites I visit with any regularity. Thanks for bringing this issue to my attention.
Lori
April 20
3:13 am
OK Anonymous – white person here. Not staying “tellingly quiet”.
I see it two ways – first, I have to say that I do think that it’s wonderful that there are Black authors out there (and Asian and green, blue, purple and everything in between) writing stories about people of color (whatever their color may be) for people of color (or anyone) to read. What, Black people can’t have romance, too? And hell, if it’s a good romance, like I care what color skin the hunky hero and beautiful heroine have?
Having said that, obviously that is not the case with Millenia’s book(s), so I say that the publisher’s action’s are atrocious. To force an author to change her story like that… who her characters are intrinsically, is just plain wrong. I am so offended on your behalf, Millenia.
The other issue here is the damn cover issue. It bugs the crap out of me when the cover image differs so greatly from the description of the characters that the author paints. Authors are so careful to give us readers a picture in our minds of the character that when the picture that the publisher provides doesn’t match, it just f*cks it up for me. I hate that!
Shawn
April 20
3:15 am
Azteclady, I don’t do anonymous.
For myself or anyone else when it comes to commenting on my blog or anyone elses.
Maili. I don’t know you from Adam, so how can I comment on something you blog about if I’m not aware of it. I’m fricking awesome but even I have my limitations.
Shelby Reed
April 20
3:41 am
Shawn,
I’m one of the people who felt offended for Millenia, I’m white, and I also suggested she look for a new publisher. I didn’t leave my full name or my link because I leave comments here all the time and just sort of figured Karen would know who I was. But just for the record:
Shelby Reed
http://www.ShelbyReed.com
I pick and choose my battles carefully. Racial injustice or imbalanced treatment regarding race is one of them, and I’d stick my neck out any day for a fellow writer when it comes to this issue.
Shelby Reed
Kristie (J)
April 20
11:01 am
This is just so fuckin’ wrong in so many ways!!! My heart breaks for Ms. Black that she has been told this by the publisher. What difference should it make?? A story is a story no matter what colour or race the characters are. So to be told they wouldn’t publish it unless she changes colours is insulting the the author and to readers.
I imagine it’s heard enough to find a publisher so how hard can you rock the boat withough doing damage to your career. That’s what makes it even more heartbreaking. I agree with Azteclady “what the hell is wrong with this world” And most sadly and unjustly of all, I think this wouldn’t happen to a white author
KLCtheBookWorm
April 20
4:58 pm
Also another white commenting. It’s bullshit. Go to CNN, Anderson Cooper might be interested. Yell to Time, Newsweek, USA Today. If you can’t sue, embarrass the hell out of the publisher. Let’s start a boycott right now.
Cassandra Kane
April 20
8:44 pm
This is so fucking outrageous that I’ve blogged about it too.
Millenia, I agree with KLCtheBookWorm – get the word out in the media so we can do something about it. Don’t let the bastards get away with it.
Shawn, I read your blog and completely agreed. As Maili said, I didn’t feel the need to comment. Whinging about it isn’t going to entice me back to do it either. I don’t work that way. I believe that this issue affects everyone – but please don’t expect me to react the way you want me to. I’m not a puppet and no one’s pulling my strings.
Reese
April 20
11:23 pm
You’re all right. That’s fucking dumb.
Elizabeth Kerri Mahon
April 20
11:46 pm
I was told by a writer who’s workshop that I was taking that I should change my main character to black, because AA fiction was ‘hot’ right now. As if all I had to do was throw in some ‘sistas’ and ‘my brother’ and that would make the book black. I hate this.
Why is it okay for a white author to write about interracial relationships but not AA authors? The only AA author I know of who writes characters that are not AA, is Mia Zachary. Her new Blaze features an Asian-American heroine.
An author should be allowed to write the characters that pop into her head whether they be white, black, red, green or from another planet.
Dakota Cassidy
April 21
12:12 am
White girl here–dreadfully tired of the division of races in ANY aspect of life. I’m not privvy to what the publisher said or what happened to you, Millenia, but if what you say occurred, I’m very sorry.
I can only tell you this–there are all sorts of discrimination in the publishing world. All over the world, for that matter. They don’t always have to do with color. There’s the erotic versus non-erotic romance, for instance. I can tell you for sure, as an erotic romance author, I’ve been snubbed for using dirty words, then welcomed, then snubbed again. Either way, it sucks and it’s a raw deal. E-book isn’t really published, but print is, according to some.
It may be a different form of discrimination than Millenia is declaring, but all kinds exist. It’s rather pathetic, but there it is. So, I’d like to think we can all as humans, at least try to identify with her troubles.
What I am tired of is this division of color, religion ect in a book. I’ll read anything by anyone as long as it’s a good story and I’m not bored. I don’t much care who wrote it or what color they are.
But this white girl has had her share of discrimination. maybe not as global, maybe not as severe, and still, it really sucks. The white authors may have different battles, but we have ’em. Never say never. It might not be the exact struggle you have right now, but we have ’em and they can be as unjust.
Discrimination affects everyone personally to some degree or another in all walks of life and we don’t all always keep quiet about it. I’ll never be tellingly quiet, anonymous and certainly not if something crappy has happenend to a fellow author. Just call me not so quiet 🙂
My best to you, Millenia. Hope you can work something out.
Dakota 🙂
evevaughn
April 21
1:16 am
This is very disappointing. Millenia I hope you’ll be able to find a place for your baby without having to compromise.
Shawn
April 21
10:13 am
I’m not trying to start anything, but it is driving me crazy that people feel the need to begin their comments with…
“White” this or that.
I’m just wondering why some of you feel the need to automatically label yourselves…
Are you not more than a color? Does it make your opinions or statements more or less valuable because of the color of your skin?
This is truly a sad and pathetic world.
Gail
April 21
1:54 pm
It’s a sad thing. Changing publisher’s is huge and not to be taken lightly. The issue is stupid though, should blonde authors only write blondes?
I have a question, when a white author writers a black heroine, is she not judged very closely by the black community? In the midst of just that, I gotta say I’m a bit apprehensive. Not about the story, about its acceptance. Resisting the urge to justify the choice by explaining my person life and such. LOL
azteclady
April 21
2:28 pm
Shawn, I’ll venture to say that given that people who are black experience life through a particular lens (either through blatant or subtle racism), people who are not black (and who, therefore, have to excercise empathy and imagination to try to put themselves in Millenia’s shoes), point out their non-blackness, if you will, in case all their empathy and imagination are not enough.
As an example, I am not black myself, though I’m not Anglo-Saxon white either; so I even though I’ve suffered a particular form of discrimination, my experiences are significantly different from those of a black person. Therefore, I’m coming to the this issue from a different perspective than Millenia or Monica or you. Does that make sense to you?
Karen Scott
April 21
5:02 pm
Wow Millennia, so even thought the characters were white in your first book, they stuck you in the AA section? And you’re right, this would never happen to a white author.
Shelby, it’s an absolute disgrace, this just confirms to people that racism is still alive and living well.
Joy, I believe her Publishers are Penguin.
Shawn, fighting against such blatant racism isn’t going to be easy, but since when has anything to do with the big R ever been simple? As for the lack of comments from bloggers, I understand it, it’s a difficult issue, and the thing is, unless you’re going to add something useful, some people may feel strange commenting. It doesn’t help to aim one’s bow and arrow at other bloggers.
Anonymous, read the above comment.
Wendy, it’s a sad situation all round.
Maili, it surprises me that people who run these companies are so tunnel-visioned.
Shawn, there are some things that hit my personal hot button, and others that don’t. This doesn’t affect me personally, but it still pisses me off.
Maili, I agree with your point on the commenting thing.
Monica, why do you think t would be different for an Asian author?
Zinnia, all it would take to sort this out is if authors that belong to publishers who do this type of thing clubbed together and boycotted them, but we know that aint gonna happen, cuz they all have livelihoods they want to protect.
Rosie, if I experienced this personally, I would be writing to all of the newspapers, Oprah, and anybody else willing to listen, but that’s cuz I’m a rebel at heart, there are somethings that you have to stand up for, and this is so blatantly unfair that I couldn’t stay silent even if I wanted to.
Lori, the whole cover thing pisses me off totally, I find that it happens with rubenesque books. Heroine is big in the book, but on the cover they ae reed thin.
Shelby, I knew exactly who you were.
Kristie, they get away with it because not many people are willing to fight them. You know what they say, divide and conquer. That’s exactly what they rely on.
I agree, KLC, she should shout about it from the roof tops, even if they don’t get taken to court, the negative publicity alone may discourage them from doing anything so heinous in the future.
Reese, I agree.
Dakota, you’re right, there is a lot of division, but it seems extra painful when you’re judged on something you’re born with.
Eve, I hope she will too.
Shawn, you laid down the gauntlet, and made the white folks feel defensive, methinks thats why they are clarifying what colour they are.
Gail, what’s the point of staying with a publisher that treats you like shit? If this was a woman staying with her abusive partner, we’d all be screaming for her to leave him. She’s being abused.
Aztec Lady, I know exactly what you mean.
Shawn
April 21
5:02 pm
AztecLady. Why aren’t empathy and imagination enough?
I’ve never been a 5 year old South African girl who was gang raped, but I sure as hell can feel rage and pain on her behalf. I don’t have to stop, take stock of who and what I am, to be heartbroken.
Oppression and humiliation doesn’t sting less or more because of the pigment of your skin. Granted, some “races” have experienced more and/or different types of heinous attrocities but genocide and destruction are genocide and destruction no matter what flavor they come in, whether it be in ovens, systematic destruction of the family unit, or small pox ridden blankets.
And you assume I’m “black”. My birth certificate holds no race. If you asked my Mother or Father my race, they’d told you Human.
I was blessed to be raised with parents who taught me to love the person and not see the color. I didn’t know I was “different” until I was in 7th grade and someone felt it necessary to point it out to me. By then, I was so secure in myself; I could care less what other people thought of me.
And here people thought my parents were weird…
fond of eating
April 21
5:22 pm
CALL THE NY POST TIP LINE.
(212) 930-8500
MAKE SURE YOU GIVE MILLENIA’S BLOG ADDRESS:
http://milleniablack.blogspot.com
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME, BUT THE MORE ATTENTION BOUGHT TO THIS STORY THE BETTER. THEY ASSURED ME THEY’D “LOOK” INTO IT. AND THEY MAY, BUT IF THEY RECEIVE CALL AFTER CALL ABOUT THIS SITUATION, THEN I AM SURE THEY TRULY WILL START TO INVESTIGATE.
THE TIME FOR SILENCE IS AT AN END.
SILENCE IS OUR WORST ENEMY.
azteclady
April 21
5:40 pm
Shawn, if you read my second comment, I said, “in case all their empathy and imagination aren’t enough.”
Why did I say that? Because sometimes it isn’t enough to be able to imagine something. Because sometimes all the empathy in the universe can’t even come close to the real thing. When you’ve lived with it, it’s with you always -awake, asleep, paying attention, or distracted, it’s there, part of who you are. You may “get over it” or not, but it’s still part of what makes you, you.
Your mileage, of course, may vary. Maybe you can put yourself in my shoes and know exactly how I feel about any given issue based on three comments I’ve posted here on this issue. I hope you’ll forgive me if I say I doubt it, though.
I empathize with Millenia, and I’ve been reading Monica’s posts in different blogs to empathize with her as well – but I have not lived through what they have lived through, so I still come at the same issue from a different perspective than they do.
Oh and I am not assuming you are black – I followed your link to your blog and from there to your website, where I saw your picture. I did that before posting my comment, because I didn’t want to offend. Apparently, I offend either way. Ah well, win some, lose some.
I’m very glad race has never been an issue for you -indeed, we are all human and should therefore be treated equally, all around the globe, regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, religion, gender, or shoe size. Alas, that’s not the reality for the majority of humans on earth.
In my case, who I am is informed by my culture, ethnicity, accent, country of origin, first language, last name, family, upbringing, moral values, life experiences, and religious and political beliefs. Doesn’t make me any less nor any more a human than whatever makes you, you.
Dakota Cassidy
April 21
6:18 pm
Shawn– “I’m not trying to start anything, but it is driving me crazy that people feel the need to begin their comments with…
“White” this or that.”
To address your quote from above–I used the label because I was labeled by anonymous– white and tellingly silent. That’s why I began my post that way. I don’t feel the need to do anything but set the record straight. Sorry to hear it drives you crazy. However as a white broad, when called upon and given a particular label (even if I find it distasteful), I’m answering. I’ll be dipped in horse puckey if I’m going to let that slide without commenting. Thus, no longer leaving the white chick tellingly silent.
I’m white, that’s life. However, as I said previously, I’m NEVER tellingly silent when it comes to an issue that is clearly being given a label by anonymous and I won’t fall under a category like telling silent if injustice is the venue. Cuz I’m never silent when someone is mean to someone else. No matter their lot in life.
Karen, love? yer right, honeybunny. It sucks.
Dakota 🙂
Sam
April 21
6:31 pm
That Sucks!!!!!
I can’t believe it.
Actually, I can. Mankind is sincerely screwed up.
Why can’t we all be human? I could care less if the people in the books I love are purple with pink spots – as long as the story rocks, who cares???
azteclady
April 21
7:02 pm
Of course, after going on and on, I didn’t write my point, which is:
Empathizing with someone doesn’t mean knowing how to translate that emotion [be it outrage, compassion, sadness, anger, whatever] into productive action.
Shawn
April 21
7:23 pm
Look. Whether you’re purple, pink or orange. It doesn’t matter to me. If I offended you, I apologize.
We’re all here because of a common cause and concern. That’s all that matters.
I’ve called the publisher several times to give them a chance to refute the allegations and everyone I have spoken to has developed situational amnesia.
I have one word for you.
BOYCOTT
Neither me, my household or family members will buy any book published by Penguin or any of its subsidiaries until the allegations are refuted.
If we all do this, it will hit them where it hurts.
If 100 people participate: 50 books at 6.99 a book =349.50
If 100 people participate: 100 books at 6.99 per book= 699.00
If 1000 people participate: 1000 books at 6.99 per book= 6990.00
If 10,000 people participate: 1000 books at 6.99 per book= 69900.00
Jaynie R
April 22
9:33 am
Wow, to stick to the original topic – Millenia, I’m very sorry you’re having problems with the way your publisher is labeling and marketing your books. It does suck when the author doesn’t get a choice in this matter. I know it isn’t as easy as everyone says just to get another publisher, but good luck with your search and hopefully you will be picked up elsewhere and not have to deal with the same issues.
Shawn and anonymous poster – way to piss off all the white people. Well done. I’m sure we’ll all be jumping to the defense of the next black issue when we’re criticised before we’re even given a chance.
Karen sweets – great blog as usual.
smoochies,
Karen Scott
April 22
10:54 am
Well, I’ve done my bit in making sure as many people in the US media hear about this case. This isn’t just about Millenia, this is about any black author who’s been marginalised, and treated unfairly just because they are black.
Do I think my endeavours will do any good? Probably not, I’m just one voice after all, and it seems to me, the US media don’t seem to show much interest in black issues, unless they’re shamed into it, or dragged kicking and screaming.
By the way Shawn, I see your point, and hear what you’re saying, but the problem is, your delivery could do with some work.
My mother always used to tell me that you win over bees easier with honey, rather than vinegar. I’m a huge believer in saying what you feel, but if you want to get a valid point across, putting a race of people on the defensive doesn’t always achieve the results that you want.
It doesn’t work with black people, so why should it be any different with whites?
azteclady
April 22
3:20 pm
Karen, please feel free to delete this comment, as I’m shamelessly cross-posting it at Millenia’s blog. Thank you.
======= ======= =======
(Please don’t jump down my throat if this has been discussed before and shot down as impractical, or as not addressing the underlying issue, or whatever–it’s something that didn’t occur to me and that I haven’t seen anywhere. For all I know it’s already in the works, or it has been tried and failed, I just don’t know.)
Discussing this with a friend who reads no romance and pays little to no attention to authors’ race in the genres he does read [a lot of fantasy/science fiction], he asked me, “How about e-publishing?”
The success of Ellora’s Cave and the influence it has had in the publishing industry does show that it’s possible to do this and succeed, to buck so-called ‘market trends’ and ‘romance conventions’ and make money off it.
So, has a group of people–race/gender/age/etc irrelevant– who are unhappy with the marketing/placement/cover/content censorship practices of Big Publishing Houses[tm], banded together to do some group self-publishing and prove once and for all that buying public doesn’t give a good damn about the race/gender/religion/political beliefs/sexual orientation of the author vs the race of his/her characters, as long as the writing is good and the story entertaining? And if they haven’t, wouldn’t it make sense to do it?
Anonymous
April 22
3:30 pm
Thanks for all your efforts on this, Karen. I’m sure whatever the outcome of Millenia’s stance, it’s going to effect the entire industry. I wonder if she, and everyone else, is aware of that…
Dakota Cassidy
April 22
5:23 pm
Well, said Karen and Jaynie–that was exactly how I was feeling. Execution is everything.
And in theory, it should be a great idea to boycott–however, what about all the other authors at PP (who may be black)if we boycott? They’ll lose sales too. I have friends who write for the company–so they’re to be punished for something they had no control over and would most likely be outraged by?
I dunno. That’s a hard choice for me to make.
‘Tis a dilemma indeed.
Dakota 🙂
Bestselling Author, Pontif.
April 22
8:43 pm
I’m a little late, but I just blogged about this and I don’t think a boycott is the way to go either. It wouldn’t likely be effective.
I think supporting Millenia in word and deed, by buying her first book, as Dakota said, by not letting this subject die down, write to the press, Oprah and all the rest, to call attention to the injustice of a black author being told her book is unacceptable because the characters aren’t black, is more likely to yield better results, not just for her, but for all of us black writers to get a step closer to literary freedom. How does that sound?
Amie Stuart
April 22
10:14 pm
>>If this was a woman staying with her abusive partner, we’d all be screaming for her to leave him.
More than once I’ve compared being a writer trying to sell to being in an abusive relationship. We get kicked, we get punched, we get beaten and rejected and we still go back for more. I don’t envy Millenia (and I left my comments over at Monica’s blog)
Ancient Reader
April 23
4:15 pm
SHAWN:
You’re great.
Here’s an excerpt of your post Id:
** Let’s get real! The underlying issue with the publisher isn’t race.
IT’S MONEY.
They don’t want to miss out on the African American market. But does that make it right? **
* * * * * * * * *
Many battles may be won or lost for the lack of right distinction.
I believe if we take the liberty to say that publishers exercise of racial conducts are just because of money, we may well be prepared to excuse them of doing it, don’t you think?
And if blacks were more sought out and more predominantly used as slaves, way beyond any other race that were made slaves… Should we just conclude that publishers’ interest in cash, is the bottom-line for their racist conduct? I think not.
I reasoned, if we decide that publisher’s racist acts are just to mount profits, then the screws on the pressure cooker lid is definitely loosen.
My take on it is this: You buy a horse to draw cargo in a buggy to make money. Why a horse? Of course the primary reason is to make money, but how can we leave out the designation factors? Why a horse. Both the horse and the money are joined in wedlock according to my estimation.
Lauren Dane
April 23
8:17 pm
You know what? This issue is important to all of us because it affects our freedom as authors and individuals.
And you know, I’m not even going to address people who don’t know me guessing my motivations. That’s not only a cheap shot, it’s divisive and counterproductive and it bogs us all down in details which are totally meaningless.
I don’t think there’s any one solution here. It’s a big problem. Economics is the leverage here. Exposure in the media is bad for business. Lost sales is bad for business.
As for leaving a publisher, it’s difficult and yep, she’ll be seen as a problem author and it won’t help for her not to be able to get her books out at all.
I don’t envy Millenia’s choices right now, but they could be any of ours at any given time- which makes this about all of us.
A press kit would be a good start – have the pertinent details in a place people can get to them easily. Something like that can be emailed or faxed by any of us to newspapers everywhere.
Anonymous
April 23
9:19 pm
Why? Once again, if you aren’t Black this doesn’t affect you, so more than likely a lot of people aren’t going to want to stick their necks out for something that doesn’t affect them.
He didnt specify whites. He said “if you arent black this doesnt affect you”
The guilty always protest the loudest.
Lena Matthews
April 24
7:27 pm
I’m really late to jump on this bandwagon, but i think what happened to you is an injustice and I pray that it’s righted soon.
peace and blessings
Lena
Ancient Reader
April 25
8:19 am
This is good argument:
Good stance hon., that’s it.
Together we stand, and we all know what happens to the contrary.
But there’re some people who need a little instruction on how to operate themselves, if you will.
Below are some food for thought.
Indeed we all must realize the value of the power of “language”. For believe it or not, when someone begins fashioning a more efficient and effective way of speaking, people automatically take note of it.
Racism reigns for this long primarily because folks lacks position of proper linguistic rhetoric and mode of conduct. Do you believe that? Its true.
So having an issue such as racism against any race at all, White or Black, calls for particularly the most effective linguistic delivery to disgrace the perpetrators and thereby bring about access to liberty everyone is entitled to enjoy.
Talking trash even jokingly, but more specifically in solemn occasion as in this subject matter, this do seriously harm the chance for which to deliver needed change.
Good spoken representation and sage conduct is the tool that’s reliable enough to get the job done regardless of the resistance.
Trust Mi, for I’m a global philosopher, I do understand the chemical secret workings of when we communicate. And there’s a vast difference between when you “hit it or you mist it”.
It seems like many of us do recognized and well appreciate Millenia’s sense of articulation. I can tell that by reading her novel “The Great Pretender” that she’s mentally adroit and skilled, very decisive. She seem to exercise her ferocity of pursuits with some kind of subtle MO. That’s very powerful, allot of linguistic mystique is at work here.
What I’m driving at is this; it has to take something extraordinary in talent to embolden someone of Ms. Black’s status to get up single-handedly to lead the fight of racial cause with Mount Everest standing there…like David against Goliath. Of course David’s big brothers et al just stood by while he slay Goliath. But they all celebrated the victory. We can’t just stand by like some are attempting to do.
I affirm that it behooves both Whites and Blacks to speak decisively, effectively and scholarly in solidarity against the shamefulness of racism, and loathed it with high emphasis.
Millenia Black is undoubtedly doing the hardest part, like being on the frontline– so instead of one being critical in speech, just put that energy to renounce the dam injustice affecting them while trying to shoot down the wrong target. Racism will never go away doing that kind of a thing.
Hey, good judgment and accurate distinction are vital for our living, especially for fighting any battle.
I’m sure Millenia Black will win with Whites and Blacks supporting this noble cause, I see the support is building on several fronts. It must not stop, that’s until we’ve made and are satisfied with substantial progress.
So, is any more fool left out there? I really believe that the national medias will soon pick this up and run with it, its too relevant and seriously important to all of us. Then many will say: I knew this was a damn serious thing.
M.E Ellis
May 3
1:07 pm
Right, so what they’re saying is, that whatever colour the author is, they have to have ‘matching’ colours for their characters?
My word, how pathetic.
Ok, I’m white so from now on I shall forevermore have white people only in my book.
Fuck will I! My characters will be whatever frikken colour I choose.
This world stinks.
:o)
Bam
May 3
3:08 pm
Man, I’m late for the party again.
Umm. I’m Filipino, so I guess I can only write about Filipino people.
Man, if you look up Filipina on Google, you only see porn. 🙁
Who wants to read about Filipinos?
That was me being glib, y’all.
Hi Karen!
Ancient Reader
October 6
6:53 pm
Hi Karen:
I just received an update from Millenia’s blog, it looks like this issue is hardly over.