Why aren't there more black main characters in childrens novels in the US?

Question

Or are there and I just don't know it? I've always been into sci-fi and fantasy... I read a lot... and I've only read one where the main character was black (it's called Otherland) and that wasn't really a children's book either.

James, oh yes, books are completely a white tradition. why do you think only americans can read? i mean really try finding a book in china or mexico or any other country? they don't read books! i mean you have to be white and american for books to be part of your culture. everybody knows that!!!

Answer 1

I may be alone in this, but I've always wondered why Caucasian-Americans might expect any other culture to join in and compete with every cultural facet we value.

In some countries, a high value is placed on oral tradition, involving youth directly with their elders, rather than on books, which were the "Nintendos" of yesteryear. Early African culture was just this way, but is slowly changing as most cultures do.

True, some white-originated sports have been entered and eventually dominated by blacks within the same time-frame, but a good lay-up doesn't have to be vetted by a sympathetic publisher (like a book does).

Baseball might be a better example of today's writing climate.

I'm willing to bet, that watching countless literary wannabees labor in poverty and obscurity might give aspiring black authors pause, especially when combined with the race factor and the chance of scoring with a major publisher.

If I could both write the Great American Novel, and hit better than 50% of my 3-pointers, I'd rather risk being the butt of Don Imus' jokes and laugh all the way to the bank, than being the next great unknown writing talent (obviously, I'm under 50%),and forced to live with my parents.

It could be as simple as this: we need to get some black publishers out there, publishers with money. Get some books into the hands of black youth whose pages reveal more than a good story, but role models and a future. Generate enough interest to get money behind this market. Demand creates supply.

If you can do these things, you might see a few characters pop up here and there that match your specification. I'm sure there are more Toni Morrisons out there waiting for a chance at a steady paycheck, doing what they love.

Otherwise, we can expect literary markets to segregate the same way people do.

===EDIT===

People often ask why African-Americans are so poorly represented in all media, including radio, television, and film.

The answer is in the overall numbers and the dollars, not in the demand within the black community, which is strong.

It costs a lot of money to produce any mass-media product, including books. A publisher takes a great risk when deciding to underwrite a project, and it is a calculated risk.

If a target audience represents 15% of the population, it must be assumed that any marketing program will reach a small percentage of that audience. Of those, only a few may express interest in the media product, and even fewer will buy. If sales projections are not high enough, even great books will not go to print.

In fact, I am convinced that much of what we value today as "great literature" from the past would never have made it through today's sensationalist market economy. It is well known that many classics of various media were failures at introduction.

This is important to a publisher, not just because of the cost of labor, paper, and storage, but because today's publishers are not in business to fail.

An example of successful minority media ventures would be Hispanic radio and television. In that case, the difference is the absolute need for Spanish language programming in order to reach the desired audience.

Another example would be rap, which capitalizes on street culture and language (some important lessons here).

In literature, the accents are stripped away, along with the physical, and some cultural associations. Since blacks are taught to read English in school, there is no compelling reason not to read "white" literature, which reduces the demand for an ethnic variety, versus say, something written in Chinese for a specific population.

This begs a question: Should it be necessary to continually point the reader to a character's ethnicity, and would that make for better reading, or would it instead be a distraction, implying that the author is pandering?

It is important to note that this is not a concern for magazines, whose pictures are constant reminders of culture and ethnicity, virtually selling the product regardless of content.

If you haven't already, I invite you to browse the African-American part of the Wal-Mart book section, as I have often done. The first thing you notice is that it is prominently displayed. Then you note how small it is.

(It reminds me of the old joke about Black History Month being the shortest month of the year, and TV shows with black hosts being shown at 3am, but this would be the same for any other featured minority in this country)

While some might be discouraged by this, I see it as a marketing opportunity. Anything displayed here has much less competition than in the general section of the store. Where would you prefer to compete?

If the trend you note is to change, it is because someone cares enough to change it. I think your question may be an important first step in that direction.

Instead of complaining about test scores in schools, school systems should distribute materials that children can relate to. This has probably already been tried, but on what scale?

It seems to me from my research that there is no shortage of talent out there waiting to be discovered. We just need to put our money where our mouth is, and buy.

Blue - If this issue is important to you, I encourage you to contact the office of a local school superintendent and speak with someone about it. If that gets you nowhere, contact your state department of education, which sets standards for school textbooks. If you hit a brick wall, try contacting interest groups like the Congressional Black Caucus, or subscribing to a newsletter that will get you more leads (last three links).

If you don't like things the way they are, the best thing to do, is to change them.

Answer 2

You are right, there aren't.
I don't read sci/fi, so I can't help you, there.
Look up the Correta Scott King award,
I read stuff like Walter Dean Myers,
Faith Ringold,
Virginia Hamilton
There are many others.
Once you see a black author, check out all the books by that author.
Amazon is a good place to look for reviews.
Yahoo might have a Black (African-american_ literature group.
Actually, I enjoy biographies, so I could not help you much.
Richard Wright is an old old favorite, but that might not be your style.
I don't find that European writers are much better.... .... any better!
Good luck in your search and don't forget to put your suggestions on amazon, so others like you can find good reading.

Answer 3

There's probably a couple different reasons-we literally still have a generation who remembers segregation. A couple of generations isn't really enough for an entire population to recover from hundreds of years of oppression and slavery, meaning that alot of times white people have the upper hand and get more recognition, etc-so our media and literature reflect that. Why don't you write a series with characters of all different races.

Answer 4

If Salinger had Holden Caulfied as a black kid it wouldn't have been a best seller.

People in general are racist, yes whites, blacks, etc etc etc.

Most Americans avoided the movie "Alexander" at the bx ffice because they thought it was about someone who is gay.

The US is 82% white, also 78% are protestant or roman catholic.

Americans are probably no more prejudice, or racist, overall, as are many blacks against whites.

Zimbabwe is extremely racist, same as South Africans (white and black), many african countries are much worse.

Many in the Middle East hate westerners (black or white), mainly because they have proven over the centuries to never be trusted. They have been lied too and had their wealth and land stolen from them.

Koreans and Japanese are the least racist / prejudiced people in the wrld.

Answer 5

Welcome. You're in for a wonderfully rich experience.

Start today, read for a year ... and you'll still have more left to discover.

Edit: James has some really great links too. I added some to my lists.

Answer 6

There are some. Try Amazon.com


http://www.amazon.com/Storytime-Books-African-American-Characters/lm/R1ZJWJBPP9ETRE/ref=cm_lmt_dtpa_f_3_rdssss0/002-4636997-6353632?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=listmania-center&pf_rd_r=0BTB6KVGPXFNSXB0WZQA&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=253462201&pf_rd_i=0471193534

Answer 7

Probably because there are not a lot of black authors as to our counterparts. May God Bless U.

Answer 8

Perhaps if you want books to reflect your views, it would be a good idea to sit down and write one.

Answer 9

They don't show anything positive relating to black people.
All you do see about black people is hip hop stuff.
By the way im a black guy and i love my race.

Answer 10

Dont want to frighten the little treasures.