Episode 101: Cultural Appropriation and the Scarcity Myth
Welcome to Book Friends Forever Episode 101! Grace and Alvina are joined by special guest, author Linda Sue Park. The three of them talk about cultural appropriation and the scarcity myth--the myth that opportunity to be published is now scarce for white authors.
Newbery medal winning and best selling author Linda Sue Park books:
“How have you been?”
Linda has been “pandemic fine” and counting her blessings. She has been able to see her grandchildren all year because they decided to form a pod early on.
Grace has been a little stressed out over the Dr. Seuss controversy. She’s been fielding questions from the media. Alvina mentions this great article on the subject of Dr. Suess and cancel culture, written by Meena Harris.
Alvina has been busy enjoying all the early signs of spring in Brooklyn.
Cultural Appropriation
First the book friends define cultural appropriation and discuss all of its many layers. Some of the characteristics described by Grace: taking someone else’s culture without their consent, taking from another culture without acknowledging it, and profiting off of someone else’s pain. “There are always lines to be crossed.” -Grace.
Linda Sue park talks about her cultural appropriation experience writing the book, '“The Long Walk to Water”. The book is a true story based on a dear friend of hers who became a refugee in the US after escaping from a civil was in Sudan in the 80’s.
“Writing outside your lane”
Linda shares 4 ways to see how people can write outside their lanes, responsibly, accountably, not mis-appropriately:
Choose your marginalization
Collaborate
Give
Live
The book friends talk about some of the grey areas, guilt, and fine lines when dealing with cultural appropriation as an artist.
On a lighter note, the episode ends with a rapid 5 random questions for Linda Sue Park! As usual, they all express what they’re grateful for.
Other books and media mentioned in this episode:
Linda Sue Park Discusses the Scarcity Myth:
Thank you for tuning in! Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)
You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and @Alvinaling on Instagram
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Facebook and Instagram
*If you’re a patron, don’t forget to check out this week’s Random Questions feed! Grace Lin and Leslie Connor answer this question: If you could replace all of the grass in the world with something else, what would it be? Click here to listen! you’re not a Book Friends Forever podcast patron already, join today!
