The Value of Highlighting Representation in Literature
Think of a young child first learning to read. They are excited to start reading and escaping to new worlds they never knew about. No matter the genre, this child will have their horizons broadened. However, imagine that while they are reading for the first time, they never see anyone who looks like them. They might still enjoy reading and gain an understanding of the world, but their relationship with literature will be different than someone with a bevy of characters who look and act like them. There are ways for authors and the publishing industry to respectfully address this long-standing issue without overcorrecting.
When you are writing a book, you will often infuse aspects of your personal life into the text. This is a natural process, writing what you know. Therefore, audiences who are from similar backgrounds and life experiences as the author might feel especially connected to the material. Authors who are not from a given group can also add to representation for another. This is the crux of why representation in literature matters, especially during Black History Month and other cultural commemorative months.
What Is Representation?
At its core, representation is when a book tells a story and features characters that represent real people’s lives. Often, this comes in the form of highlighting diverse voices in the media. This diversity can come in all shapes and sizes: race, gender, sexuality, age, socioeconomic background, etc. When someone from one of these backgrounds writes a book, their experiences will be infused in the text.
Representation often makes people feel like they are not alone in their experiences. There is not a single unifying lifestyle in the world. It helps to see a wide range of experiences in the media. For a long time, the world at large was not open to addressing underrepresentation, but things are changing.
Platforming Underrepresented Voices
It is especially important when the most underrepresented voices get a platform. When too much of one group tells their stories, it can become seen as the “norm.” The lack of diversity can alienate other groups who do not get to see themselves in the text. This is not limited to any one group, book genre, or book type. It is also not limited to the United States, as each culture has its own voices that are in the “majority” and those in the “minority.”
There are speciality book publishers that work specifically with one group to amplify their voices. They are founded because there have been historical publishers who put up impassable barriers to entry for new authors. However, general publishers can also promote diversity without having to explicitly do so. In fact, the most powerful representation is often that which goes left unsaid. Actions speak louder than words.
How to Highlight Diversity?
To counteract any underrepresentation, it is crucial that the publishing industry embrace platforming all voices. Anyone can write a book of any genre. But, not everybody has the resources and information to publish and share their books with the world. Therefore, it is crucial that publishing companies across the board do not shy away from diversity.
However, just because publishers should be conscious of diversity and representation, they should not favor any one group. That is the most important part of implementing successful representation in literature. Having a wide array of voices in the media makes everyone feel included.
Authors of all backgrounds can write stories that highlight representation, even if they are not a member of the group. As long as the representation is uplifting and not demeaning, it can be a strong act of diversity.
Books from the past often featured stereotypes and generalizations that would not be considered “good representation.” Even children’s books from the past could be subject to controversy. No matter how you feel, there are ways to acknowledge the problematic nature of some old books while amplifying new, more diverse voices going forward.
Here at Cloverly Publishing, we know that everyone deserves to have their story told. Our review process never discriminates, and we work to make sure no one feels left out of the process. Books are for everybody, and everybody should see themselves on the page.
