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Monday 24 February 2020
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Books pulled over 'literary blackface' accusations Amanda Goh addresses the controversy surrounding Barnes & Noble's 'diverse' new series
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arnes & Noble, the largest bookseller in the US has pulled a new series of ‘culturally diverse’ classic book covers off the shelves after facing widespread criticism. Critics claim they were supporting “literary black face”. The bookseller had launched a new ‘Diverse Edition’ of books which feature covers illustrating main characters as people of colour. Titles include Romeo & Juliet, Moby Dick and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The bookseller has insisted on 'good intentions'
Earlier this week, the company announced a Black History Month event to sell the ‘Diverse Editions’ of the classic books, However has since received swift backlash. This was as the featured books were by white authors, starring characters who had been represented and interpreted as white. Author Frederick Joseph had stated that the feature was "essentially literary blackface". Instead of promoting black authors and protagonists, the bookseller merely changed the covers of classics and called it ‘diverse’. Further, a number of black authors took issue with the bookseller’s project, pointing out that it did not address the lack of diversity in the publishing industry. Author N K Jemisin tweeted: "Kids who read it will still know Ahab is white. The text screams it! But now they’ll also know somebody at B&N thinks blackness is just a meaningless veneer used to mock real representation. It’s literary blackface, and they WILL see through it. Kids aren’t stupid.” The initiative had revealed the struggles in addressing ongoing diversity problems in the publishing industry. While the bookseller had insisted on "good intentions" regarding the Diverse Editions, the story behind how these editions came to be a thing may spark some contro-
versy.
The project did not address the lack of diversity in the publishing industry
Doug Melville had been inspired by the casting of a black actress as Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter sequel, the Cursed Child. Melville and Cal Hunter, of Barnes & Noble’s flagship location had a straightforward thinking: They assumed that changing the cover art for classics would change the way readers thought about those literary characters and their race. Backlash quickly followed, "this fake diversity nonsense is disgusting…’" author Nnedi Okorafor tweet- ed.
The ‘Diverse Editions’ were supposed to be on the shelves from early February, but has since been suspended due to the social media outcry. It was released in a statement on Twitter that the project is cancelled, also admitting that "the covers are not a substitute for black voices or writers of colour, whose work and voices deserve to be heard". Black History Month promotes the opportunity to recognise contributions by people of African and Caribbean dissent. This month, why not support by picking up a book by Toni Morrison or Maya Angelou? The publishing industry should give their cover updates instead of just representing them in the moment. "Feature black people, that should be the beginning and end of it", as L. L. McKinney states.
arts culture Poem Box Waves Waves crashing the shore Awakening the senses Of the crowd nearby Abundant wonders Lie from the blue frozen sea Meets the blazing sky Some rocks worn away Powered by mighty forces Slowly lost in time Carl Smith Valdez
Twitter: @BNBUZZ
The teenager who drew Billie Eilish for Vogue Seshadhri Subramanian discusses Anastasia Kovtun, the 16-year-old whose artwork drew the attention of Billie Eilish
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ixteen year old Anastasia Kovtun thought it was a prank call when she was told that Billie Eilish had picked out one of her drawings as one of the four covers for the digital edition of the Vogue magazine for March. But one being given proof that it was indeed the actual Vogue magazine, she felt overwhelmed. Kovtun’s painting was one of two personally chosen by the singer with the other one being Kylie Young from Michigan, USA. Coincidentally, Young also thought the call from Vogue was a practical joke.
Kovtun had attended art school for three years but dropped out, wanting to keep her unique style
Instagram: @billieeilish
Hailing from a small town 900 miles away from Moscow and in the midst of the Urals, Kovtun had attended an art school for three years but dropped out because she didn’t want to feel pressured to draw a certain way and wanted to keep her own style. In yet another testament to the growing reach of social media, she said that even though she hadn’t been on Instagram – where she showcases her work – for too long, she
was aware that the singer had taken notice of her (liking two of her previous drawings). However, even that did not prepare her for what followed the reveal from Vogue that her drawings had been chosen.
I was given an extraordinary opportunity to share my art and I will use it
“Over the past few days my life has changed a lot. I have had some very interesting and tempting offers and I know it is an opportunity for me to realise myself as an artist. Still, I have to consider everything carefully. I don’t want to abandon school, for instance. I was given an extraordinary opportunity to share my art and I will use it. It won’t be easy but it will be worth it.” she told the BBC. When asked what drew her to the Grammy-winning Eilish, she said that she takes to musicians who have a strong sense of style but also have the desire to change. Aside from Eilish – who has sung the new theme for the upcoming James Bond movie 'No Time To Die' – she is also a fan of Lana Del Rey and Miley Cyrus. She also admires Russian artists who do it for the love of music and not for the fame or the money. “Art is not about catching the hype or getting rich. It is not about popularity or reward. You have to do what you love and always have to speak from the heart.” she says.
Image: Instagram: @avoguemagazine
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