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Question: Can Race and Culture play a huge part when it comes to reading books!?
I'm just curious to find out what everyone's opinion is about reading books from other authors from different races!. For example, I went with my friend to go buy some books at barnes and noble and she got pissed at me because I wanted to buy a book from Dean Koontz!. She was like "why would you buy a book from him he's not black"!?!. I became appalled by her comment and realized that she was ignorant!. I told her that race and culture shouldn't have anything to do with me wanting to try out reading from a different genre!. She Argued, "Yeah but he doesn't know what black people go through on a regular basis, His writing doesn't reflect on our lives or have anything to do with our culture"!. She says "why don't you get a book from Walter Mosley!. I'm Pretty sure he has something you'll like!."I usually just read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry but I wanted to try out Horror/Thriller for a change!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Well first off your friend was wrong for saying that!. It's sad that she feels that way about authors that are not black!. Doesn't she know that the more of a variety you read it enhances your brain!. If I was you I wouldn't hang around her IGNORANT behind it will just lead you into trouble!. If Your Interested in Horror/Thriller Dean Koontz is one of the best I would also suggest James Patterson, Jeff Lindsay and Stephen King!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Definitley not!. Books are so interesting in that they are written by all people of all ages and races and genders!. :) That's one of the reasons why I love books most!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I don't even pay any attention to the ethnicity of the author!. If the book looks interesting, then I will read it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I understand what your friend is saying, because I love reading black authors!. She shouldn't segregate her reading if you love books you love all books!Www@QuestionHome@Com
That makes me really, really sad!.
My response to her would have been "I read to see through the eyes of someone else!."Www@QuestionHome@Com
When people are ignorant, it takes away from their literary education, as you've noticed in your friend!. Books are books, no matter who wrote them, and I'm actually quite surprised that she would refuse to read a book written by someone who isn't black!. The opposite of this, white people refusing to read work written by blacks, was all too prevalent in American history, and it's ignorant and ironic that she would fall prey to a similar stereotype!. I doubt she was saying that white people are not intelligent, but that, since work not written by black people could not possibly be relevant, it's not worth her time!.
I think it's great that you are trying to read books from all different authors!. A book is a book, no matter who wrote it, and it's just ignorant not to realize that!. I think it's incredibly important to read books written by authors of different races; I'm in a Literature of the Harlem Renaissance class right now, and it's incredibly educational!. I absolutely love it!. I'm not trying to be pretentious, so I'm sorry if it comes across that way - I'm part Native American, and my ancestors also pretty much got the shaft!. I'm just really passionate about reading a wide variety of literature in order to have a more open mind!.Www@QuestionHome@Com