One reason why I'm so *_____* over Alaya Johnson's Moonshine is because it's I think the first time I've read a story where the supernatural elements parallels the issues marginalized people have (in NY in the 1920s), instead of being a metaphor, so what suffragettes were fighting for, vampires are also fighting for similar rights -- and it's all textual, so it doesn't seem appropriative of RL situations. And where being otherworldly doesn't erase, say, being left out or looked down upon for also being POC; there's also the acknowledgement of immigrants and the mythologies & their own supernatural creatures that they bring with them. (Plus, it's pretty much a fun, perhaps even fluffy, non-didactic book, so it's possible to have these intersectionalities & 'social justice agendas' without getting bogged down in them.)
(Also I'm excited about The Wire and A:TLA for similar reasons -- not just for their own stories, which I find pretty awesome (not perfect, but more inclusive than most shows), but also for the possibilities of this type of storytelling that I find is kind of unusual: a kids' show that recognizes and fights against imperialism? *_____* US show that isn't afraid to put only POC in some scenes? *_____* Heh.)
That's why I suggested it as an anti-fail check because I think in writing and in criticism we tend to overgeneralize our metaphors, whereas this points to how specific and non-metaphorical factors that both reveal what is actually being written about, and what isn't.
Very true! One day I might write a post about where, for me, limitations in a text turns into fail, or why certain use of oppressive/problematic language or depictions of ~isms work and when they don't. Or maybe I will wait for someone else to write it! Heh.
BTW, I am v. aware that I owe you a comment from like a week ago! I got all excited and flaily when I read yours because SO MUCH TO SAY and then promptly lost my ability to sort any of it out.
no subject
(Also I'm excited about The Wire and A:TLA for similar reasons -- not just for their own stories, which I find pretty awesome (not perfect, but more inclusive than most shows), but also for the possibilities of this type of storytelling that I find is kind of unusual: a kids' show that recognizes and fights against imperialism? *_____* US show that isn't afraid to put only POC in some scenes? *_____* Heh.)
That's why I suggested it as an anti-fail check because I think in writing and in criticism we tend to overgeneralize our metaphors, whereas this points to how specific and non-metaphorical factors that both reveal what is actually being written about, and what isn't.
Very true! One day I might write a post about where, for me, limitations in a text turns into fail, or why certain use of oppressive/problematic language or depictions of ~isms work and when they don't. Or maybe I will wait for someone else to write it! Heh.
BTW, I am v. aware that I owe you a comment from like a week ago! I got all excited and flaily when I read yours because SO MUCH TO SAY and then promptly lost my ability to sort any of it out.
Hee. No worries!