Today's blog post is a different to my usually reviews or TBR lists. I feel very inspired to write about the importance of diversity in literature. A little more than month ago Alice Pung, author of Laurinda and Unpolished Gem, visited my school and gave an amazing talk. It was one of those talks that when you leave the door you feel inspired to go and do whatever it takes to reach your goals even if that means you need to accidentally run over Oprah. Don't even get me started on how nice and down to earth she is or I'd never stop gushing, AHAHA.
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| I told Alice Pung about my blog and she actually had a look at it and wrote me a letter! She's so underrated and needs so much more attention. She's one of the kindest people I've ever had the opportunity to talk to. |
Her talk really made me think of diversity in books. She is an Asian Australian and her books really delve into life as part of a minority group. Lucy Lam in Laurinda, had me saying 'same' in my head so many times as I was reading, I felt like an old broken toy that only repeats one phrase. Life as a child of immigrants is an integral part of her book and it is a struggle that I believe that many people resonate with. In her books I found so many central ideas relating to culture and cultural clashes, that expanded my reading horizons and my view on the world.
I myself am Asian Australian and live in an area that is very diverse. The cultures that I've been exposed on a daily basis to are all so beautiful and fascinating. I don't believe that books have enough diversity within them. There are 7 billion people on earth, and thousands if not millions different cultures, wouldn't it be great for more cultures to be represented? It shouldn't be just great, but something essential. Books and the stories we tell are a reflection of humans as a species and our diversity needs to be showcased, because it's helps define us and give people a sense of identity.
So I'm just going to throw it out there that having diverse books that represents minority groups and display more than one group of people is what the industry should have more of.
Sorry for that little rant, but I felt that it needed to be said. I'll have my usual posts up soon, so keep an eye out for that! :)
Sorry for that little rant, but I felt that it needed to be said. I'll have my usual posts up soon, so keep an eye out for that! :)
Happy reading!!
-xox The girl with her head in the clouds
aka Kellie :P
