When it comes to who has the right to tell and illustrate stories about specific cultures I believe that anyone, both insiders and outsiders should be allowed to partake in this. I don't think it's fair to say that an outsider cannot write about a culture they are not from. I do believe that if an outsider is going to write about a specific culture, I think they need to do an extensive amount of research on that particular culture and/or have physically been around that culture before. This gives the author more accurate knowledge and experiences that they can write about and use in their stories. I also think that it gives a new perspective to the reader when it's written by an outsider. I do think although that a book may be a little bit more accurate and believable to the reader when it's written by an insider. I think this because insiders are able to write about real-life experiences they may have faced at some point in their life. I do believe that people should be able to write about whatever they want to write about. Who knows, someone who is not from a Chinese background could have lived there for years and could potentially write an amazing story about the Chinese culture. Although they have to be given the chance to do this.
There is just so much that plays into the idea of insiders and outsiders being able to write about a specific culture because it can be seen either way.
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2 comments:
I read your post about the insider/outsider debate I have always thought you had to be an insider to write good multicultural literature, but I think you point out some great points. I also believe that if an author is around or involved in culture, but it is not there own they do have a great potential to write and amazing and accurate story. I still think that I would lean more toward pieces of multi-cultural literature that doesn't mean that outsiders can't write good literature that I am over looking. There is no way that I think that outsiders should be banned from writing multicultural literature outside of their own back round. You made some great points and I think you have a very valid opnion!
-Becca Woodman
I agree with Jen's views on the insider/outsider debate. Anyone can contribute to educating others about another culture. Everyone has their own life experiences that should be shared with everyone. This is an issue that I am still not confident about what literature is best. I always thought that only an insider could write about their views and experiences for it to be accurate. From taking this class, I do not believe this is true at all. You raise good points throughout your blog that really make me think. Outsiders should be used to write novels about other cultures. This is a debate that I think will never end :)
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