FYI: This post is written in the context of race representation in the US publishing industry. Check out the Resources page for great insights into other types of representation!

I’m by no means the first or the last nonwhite reader/writer/person to weigh in on this topic, but as someone from a culture that gets frequently (mis)represented by outsiders, here’s my two cents: no representation is BETTER than bad representation.

Note, I didn’t say either of the above options was the best. The best (as I see it) is respectful, informed representation, preferably created by members of the group being represented.* Bad representation is the opposite: disrespectful, uninformed, and yes, white people are not the only perpetrators, but I’ll save that for a different post.

That said, as anyone who has been following diversity discussions in the online reading/writing communities will know, we are a long way from gaining equal opportunities for nonwhite creators in the US publishing industry. The numbers skew heavily in favor of (white) creators representing races and cultures outside of their own. Take a look at assorted surveys and graphs published by Lee & Low and CBC Diversity (both listed on the Resources page) if you want to see the cold, hard numbers.

I’ll have future posts regarding my thoughts on white representations of nonwhites, but today my focus is explaining why I believe no representation is BETTER than bad representation. And yes, unfortunately, Japanese people and Japanese culture are frequently represented by non-Japanese who either don’t know shit and/or don’t give a fuck.

So, here it is: bad representation has consequences.

If you don’t believe me, check out my FAQs (Frequently Awkward Questions) page.

Here are some of the consequences:

• Damages efforts by members of marginalized groups to represent themselves (the deck is stacked against us, I refer you again to the Lee & Low and CBC Diversity numbers)
  • Case in point: There’s a lot of internet hype about diverse books right now. But, more often than I’d like, when I check out the list of recommended reads, I see a bunch of books written by people who don’t belong to the group being showcased. Again, it’s ok to write outside of yourself, but in doing so, be cognizant that the voices of insiders ARE and SHOULD be privileged above yours.
• “Diversity” for diversity’s sake! – Marginalized groups do not exist to lend sparkle to your story. If you’re touting this idea, or something similar, think long and hard about why.
• Encourages creation of similar work
  • Books by white creators about nonwhite peoples and cultures continue to outnumber books by nonwhite creators about nonwhite peoples and cultures
• Encourages creation without ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Accountability is big. There is not enough of it, not when white creators represent nonwhites, not when nonwhites represent nonwhites. There will be posts.
• Forces marginalized creators to battle an industry filled with misconceptions about marginalized groups – misconceptions nurtured by bad representation in the first place
  • A great example is books about American Indian/First Nations peoples. Can you name an American Indian/First Nations creator besides Sherman Alexie? Can you name two? Three? More than three?
    • If you said, “no, because they don’t exist” – you’re wrong
    • If you said, “no, because…well…why?” – keep reading
    • If you said, “yes” – hey, we have something in common
  • Debbie Reese’s blog, American Indians in Children’s Literature, is a great starting point for further reading
• Gives readers of marginalized groups (especially young readers) the impression that XYZ form of bad representation is THE authoritative one because it made it into PRINT (ask me again how much I believed in the power of books as a kid, ask my friends, ask every nonwhite reader you know)
• Perpetuates stereotypes and other forms of racism
  • Thinking of a certain steampunk Japanese-inspired fantasy series here…
• Reinforces the institution of racism in US society
  • Definitely check out the Resources page – people smarter and more eloquent than me have written insightful, hard-hitting pieces on the (white) racism that pervades US society and culture
• Sends the message that there is a market for XYZ form of bad representation
  • Sadly, there is – I walked into my local bookstore the other day and saw, on prominent display, a Chinese-inspired fantasy by a non-Chinese author that has already received criticism from Chinese readers. I then scoured the YA section for some of my favorite Asian American YA authors – I only found two. Anyone else see something wrong with this picture?

Bad representation happens and continues to happen. And it has had consequences and will continue to have consequences. Not one of the consequences listed above is a good thing. It hurts the peoples and cultures being represented. It reinforces a white-dominant narrative and way of thinking. It closes doors in the faces of marginalized creators struggling to make their voices heard in an industry that is too often hostile and/or insincere about its calls for “diversity.”

So, a personal request. The next time you sit down to write from an outside perspective, think deeply about why. It’s not just about you. If you’re aiming to get published, you can bet you’ll hear from your readers. And if you do get published (congratulations), remember that your work, having made it through all the burning hoops and iron gates, is going to have an impact. It’s up to you to determine what that impact will be.

If you read this far and think maybe my blog isn’t the right fit for you, check out the Resources page. There are many, many great websites out there. I hope you find one you like!

*No, I’m not saying you can’t write about Japanese people and Japanese culture if you aren’t Japanese. There are a few non-Japanese out there who have created respectful, informed representations – they are just vastly outnumbered by the non-Japanese who have created really disrespectful, really uninformed representations. Yes, I’ll have a post on this later. Probably several. Advance warning for anger.