My Mom’s pot of nasturtiums!
Merry meet all,
Oh my the heat! I was just out in my garden. I love summer and everything about it. I love being able to wear what I want and relax. I am the most relaxed all year during the summer. Who can argue with sun, always being warm and that total sense of freedom?
Today I want to write about diversity in the field of publishing and writing. I do support it. It is about time that more voices were heard. I love the works of the diverse writers published today. It is so sorely needed. The publishing world – the books that are produced were never meant to be only by white male writers. Not that I am knocking that, they are valid too, but all voices are valid. All the voices have something to say. But a white writer born in Colorado won’t know what it is truly like to grow up Hispanic or Chinese or gay or as trans. You have to truly experience it to know it. It has to seep in your bones and stew in your blood, it has to consume you, emerge from your true self to pour onto the page. It represents you and it is you and it is special.
I would hate to grow up on a planet with one culture, one race, one identity, one way of being. I would find that so boring. I want to eat at Mexican restaurants, learn a little Spanish, visit that amazing Middle Eastern restaurants and wear Nordic inspired outfits. Now how is that for culture variety?
I read an amazing novel by Gabino Iglesias titled The Devil takes you home. I was amazed. The problem with today’s society is this movement of conformity being shovelled down our throats on the streets, in media and in the news. If that is not incentive for you to be your true self, then what is. I struggled to understand the words written in the language he truly knows. Nevertheless, I tried. I don’t understand a single word of Spanish. I know the English language very well of course. I believe that we all have to make efforts to understand each other and all the things we have to say and listen with our ears -and hearts. We see with our hearts and ears. I hope we can all find a common middle ground or at least try to get halfway there.
I remember when my Mother took in international boarders. That was so much fun. They brought their traditions, clothing and great cooking with them. I loved it. I struggled at times to understand what they were saying. But I would always try. I love chicken curry and the other awesome meals I was exposed to. I would not expect them to just give up who they are and do nothing but eat (boring) Canadian food. I am a diehard fan of ethnic food.
I hate it when I see violence against black people, for example. It is mean and ugly and cruel. If we can all understand each other at my Mom’s house, and share cultures, then why isn’t that way in the world? But sadly, that is a naive way of viewing it. It is not that simple. I just hope that one day it is. The variety of cultures on earth is not just going away, so thankfully, most people are not out to hurt each other. To me, based on what I have shared in this post, you can see why I support diversity. I hope for a brighter future of not war but love, true understanding.
I want to read books by Owl Goingback, Linda Addison and Sumiko Saulson and many others. Linda Addison helped edit an anthology titled Sycorax’s daughters. Not one single white author in the whole book!
Let’s understand each other and support diversity. Let’s stand together.
Blessed Be, Spiderwitch
The Paranormal Quill 