minoritiesinpublishing:
““There’s no reason to think Black people, Black women, Black men that we can’t be bringing in a certain amount of audience or good business. Because we can. The thing is, is that books and publishing in general there has to...

minoritiesinpublishing:

“There’s no reason to think Black people, Black women, Black men that we can’t be bringing in a certain amount of audience or good business. Because we can. The thing is, is that books and publishing in general there has to be an investment, there has to be promotion, and there has to be leg work. Because you know what, people of color right now don’t trust you. They don’t trust you to get their stories right. They don’t trust you to pick authors telling great stories. So when you start doing your work, and start doing right, and start paying attention to them the same way you pay attention to these audience you’ll see better business in this area. If you don’t have good business in this area it’s because you haven’t built good business.”

Recent guest smashfizzle rightfully notes, as studies and data have shown, that there’s clearly an audience, particularly in the Black community, for media. So what barriers are there? If the business isn’t aware of how to reach the community or produce what the demographic would like to see via responsible representation, how will the demographic respond? 

ashley ford black consumers black artists publishing quote promoting diverse books

minoritiesinpublishing:
““It’s either I don’t see it or I’m tired of hearing about it. It’s this weird super power of human rationalization to be able to look out into the world and continue thinking it’s them it’s them it’s them it’s them, whoever...

minoritiesinpublishing:

“It’s either I don’t see it or I’m tired of hearing about it. It’s this weird super power of human rationalization to be able to look out into the world and continue thinking it’s them it’s them it’s them it’s them, whoever them are, which are the real racists, the people who keep talking about it. It’s everything but me. I’m doing the right thing. And people don’t understand that just the power of listening, just the power of not disparaging other people’s experiences, like the power of not turning your head, the power of when you’re tired of pushing through the weariness and reading anyway and learning anyway. Nothing is changed without being agitated. And that’s the truth of anything. That’s the truth of our history. If we learn anything: when you’re agitated you’re growing. It’s very natural to be agitated and to be uncomfortable in the process of being better than you were before. Or at least different than you were before. The goal should be to be better.” smashfizzle, Episode 19

When on one end of a conversation, especially about race and inequality, as a PoC it can feel like the response from those in the majority is not necessarily of empathy but of wanting to divert away from an uncomfortable conversation. 

ashley ford minorities in publishing empathy


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