When it comes to the debate about the insider/outsider writer I am somewhat on the fence. I feel that a person who writes about a culture, race, gender, etc. that they do not belong to could actually write a book that correctly portrays that group. This could be done with the right about to research and data collected to portray the group correctly. On the other side if they do not and especially if they end up using a stereotype or putting that group down in some way, they should not write about them.
Also I feel that even a person in a certain group can write a book that does not correctly portray a certain group of people. Being a white, middle class girl from Michigan does not give me the right to generalize any of the groups I belong to. The experiences I have had may be far more different than those of other girls.
I feel that both the insider and outsider have a chance to write a great book about a group that they do or do not belong to if they do it correctly and watch what they say, how they say it, and what the illustrations in the book say about the group. Also staying away from cultural biases and stereotypes are necessary for an acceptable book.
The only real question I have involves the process for publishing a book. If there are books that are seen as questionable when regarding stereotypes and putting another group down, does that mean that they are not looked over by somebody before they are put on the shelves?
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There are a lot of different ways we could think about the publishing issue. Whose books are considered for publication? Who are the publishers? Are they "insiders" or otherwise informed about the books they promote? What role does expected sales play in decisions? For example, what if readers are more comfortable with less authentic literature?
We've read that there are a number of smaller publishers that focus on books from particular groups. How available are those books?
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