[ SECRET POST #3356 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3356 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 04 pages, 093 secrets from Secret Submission Post #480.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 1 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I think it's more about the way she's taking native customs/religious beliefs and claiming them as her own (like, applying her own fictional-world reasons to real beliefs) instead of it being about native wizards existing at all?

It does seem a bit iffy to me, tbh.

[(Anonymous)]

But the intire wizarding world is just this world with wizard sprinkles. Including other religions and traditions.

[(Anonymous)]

I think the main issue with this specifically is that it's really rare for native traditions & shit to be focused on in mainstream media (especially when it's written by them, ie: when it's 100% accurate & they're in total control over what's being put out), so it makes sense to me that people will be more bothered by some white woman from England twisting their shit around than they would be otherwise?

[(Anonymous)]

nayrt, which is exactly why I wouldn't write about anyone's culture other than my own. I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing, but the prevailing mood of the day is that everyone should stay inside their own box.

[(Anonymous)]

And I will continue to think that the idea of us never stepping outside our boxes is stupid and hidebound and problematic all by itself. The mood of the day is not actually helping anyone.

[(Anonymous)]

Is research and talking to people who actually have experience not an option anymore?

[(Anonymous)]

Seriously. JK Rowling could have done that, no problem.

[(Anonymous)]

Legit question, was J.K.Rowling actually wrong about native culture? Because if that was the argument it would be understandable. But appart from people who are mad she used it at all I didn't hear of people saying she used it wrong.

[(Anonymous)]

I've got a secret coming up about this. Short version: she really didn't bother with much research.

[(Anonymous)]

Exactly. Whenever this issue comes up and the complaint is about X author taking an aspect of someone's culture and using it badly, the opposing sides always huffs, "OH SO NOW WE CAN'T WRITE ABOUT ANY CULTURE BUT OUR OWN NOW HUH SJWS!!!!!"

Well, no. You could try doing a good job, which includes research, talking to people who are actually of that culture to try and get a better understanding of what you're trying to write about and NOT doing a half assed botch job. But it's as if that idea doesn't please people. They want the right of doing a lazy, insensitive job of writing about another culture, AND they want to be free from criticism for the mediocre result.

[(Anonymous)]

Except this is the operative quote:

"which is exactly why I wouldn't write about anyone's culture other than my own. I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing, but the prevailing mood of the day is that everyone should stay inside their own box."

Which makes it sound like, no, you should most definitely stay in your own box because otherwise you are a culturally appropriating piece of shit even if you do the research and try to come at it from a respectful standpoint.

Basically, white writers can't win.

I for one really wish Stephen King would quit writing Christian characters, but I don't scream CULTURAL APPROPRIATION OMG HE IS DOING IT WRONG. I just shrug and don't read his books. He won't miss me, and I won't miss him.

[(Anonymous)]

The ayrt wasn't affirming that remark, though. They were bringing up the point that it doesn't have to be an issue of "everyone stay in their own box", it could be a case where "do diligent research and talk to people outside of your box as preparation for writing outside your box".

[(Anonymous)]

But the one above them said exactly that. "Stay in your own sandbox lest you offend someone!"

Well, fuck that noise. Hell, I'm a woman who writes mostly male POV stories. I GUESS I SHOULD STOP DOING THAT, according to the weenies who want to shiver in their own little corners.

No, thank you.

Alternatively, that makes me part of the patriarchal problem. In which case I should also stop doing that. *snort* How about I keep writing what I want, and if people don't like it, they can refrain from reading it?

[(Anonymous)]

The difference between those situations is that there are male POV stories written by men all over the place; no one will ever assume things about or stereotype men based on your stories, because it's already a really commonplace thing in fiction & real life?

There really aren't any mainstream, recent stories about native people or their traditions around, so someone who isn't a part of it, or educated about it at all, going around writing fiction about them can give everyone the wrong ideas, create stereotypes and it's just a touchy situation in general.

Also, making up your own strawman and then writing a rebuttal to an argument no one here made doesn't really prove otherwise, haha.

[(Anonymous)]

Well, Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series uses it. And Carrie Vaughn used a skinwalker in one of her Kitty novels. I think Faith Hunter does too, in the Jane Yellowrock books?

But I don't know if those are "mainstream" enough, though all three of those are NYT bestsellers.

Also, it's not really a "strawman" if we're talking about sticking to our own sandboxes. It speaks to the larger issue of not daring to stray from your niche. We're fantasy writers. Straying from our niches is a given. Adding a "thou shalt not" to that when no one thinks we're writing actual damn history is ridiculous.