Representation in literature is a persisting issue in American education on all levels. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, only three percent of children's books are about Latino characters or written by Latino authors: almost one in four public school children in the United States are now Latino. This gap between diverse readers and a largely whitewashed, heteronormative, male-oriented set of books is problematic in that it prevents children from finding a voice and an outlet of expression. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, a librarian in New Mexico, says, "young people need to see themselves represented on the page so that they will continue reading. If they don't see that then perhaps they lose interest. They don't think there's anything in books about them or for them." According to Nelson, white students also benefit from reading diverse literature. "Not only do they learn to appreciate the differences," she explains, "but I think they learn to see the sameness, and so those other cultures are less seen as 'other'." (Elizabeth Blair, NPR)
Our literary tour now focuses on the National Queer Association of Iceland. The Head Director of the Association, as well as the Educational Director, both briefly sat down with us in their office in Reykiavik to express their experiences and concerns for literature in their home country.
The two women's images and names will not be revealed due to privacy concerns.
The inside of the center features a welcome area, informational materials, and a work desk. The camera will not go past this corner, though, since we are now scheduled to speak with the Head and Educational Directors. Keep up with this brief interview below.
Q - Hello, there. How are you today?
ED (Educational Director) - Fine, fine. Thank you.
HD (Head Director) - I am, as well. And you?
Q - I am doing very well, thank you. Especially now that we are out of the snow. Well, we know that you are very busy and we really appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today. We know that you have work to complete so we don't want to keep you, so if you don't mind, we'll get right into the conversation. Do you know someone who is published?
ED - [gestures beside her, toward the HD] Actually, here is someone.
HD - Well, I do have an upcoming guidebook coming up soon. It may be a virtual book, as well, but I am not sure how that will work out in the coming months.
ED - I have also been thinking of writing a children's book! I am not done writing or anything, but I have had the idea for quite a while.
Q - That is fantastic! In America, we have a problem with a lack of representation of minority characters in our books. There are very few people of color, women, and gay characters in comparison to white male characters. What do you find to be the situation in Iceland with representation of diversity in literature?
ED - Oh, yes. It can definitely improve.
HD - Yes, we also have this problem. It is getting better, we think, but it is still low considering how progressive our country is.
ED - I agree. I mean, we have books about strong, fighter women and boys who cry but this isn't enough. It's a start, I suppose, but it scrapes the surface of all the different types of people that there are in the world.
Q - I have heard that, in Iceland, 1 in 10 people are published ...
ED - That is true!
Q - ...given this high accessibility of publishing, why do you think more people are not writing about minority characters?
ED - I think that many people acknowledge that it is an important subject, to inclue more types of characters in our books.
HD - Publishers just are not reaching out to accept these types of manuscripts.
ED - Exactly. A citizen can have an idea for a book about a gay character or someone else and the publishing editors can read it and say, "wow, what a good, important story!" but, for whatever reason, they do not publish all of these ideas.
Q - Because publishing is common here in Iceland, do you think that it can play a role in helping increase representation for minority groups?
HD - Yes. Publishing gives people a voice to share their experiences.
ED - Absolutely. I think that getting more stories out there from more perspectives can only help the situation.
HD - This will get better in time, I believe, because of social media and a higher awareness of different identities and peoples. It might just be a slow process.
ED (Educational Director) - Fine, fine. Thank you.
HD (Head Director) - I am, as well. And you?
Q - I am doing very well, thank you. Especially now that we are out of the snow. Well, we know that you are very busy and we really appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today. We know that you have work to complete so we don't want to keep you, so if you don't mind, we'll get right into the conversation. Do you know someone who is published?
ED - [gestures beside her, toward the HD] Actually, here is someone.
HD - Well, I do have an upcoming guidebook coming up soon. It may be a virtual book, as well, but I am not sure how that will work out in the coming months.
ED - I have also been thinking of writing a children's book! I am not done writing or anything, but I have had the idea for quite a while.
Q - That is fantastic! In America, we have a problem with a lack of representation of minority characters in our books. There are very few people of color, women, and gay characters in comparison to white male characters. What do you find to be the situation in Iceland with representation of diversity in literature?
ED - Oh, yes. It can definitely improve.
HD - Yes, we also have this problem. It is getting better, we think, but it is still low considering how progressive our country is.
ED - I agree. I mean, we have books about strong, fighter women and boys who cry but this isn't enough. It's a start, I suppose, but it scrapes the surface of all the different types of people that there are in the world.
Q - I have heard that, in Iceland, 1 in 10 people are published ...
ED - That is true!
Q - ...given this high accessibility of publishing, why do you think more people are not writing about minority characters?
ED - I think that many people acknowledge that it is an important subject, to inclue more types of characters in our books.
HD - Publishers just are not reaching out to accept these types of manuscripts.
ED - Exactly. A citizen can have an idea for a book about a gay character or someone else and the publishing editors can read it and say, "wow, what a good, important story!" but, for whatever reason, they do not publish all of these ideas.
Q - Because publishing is common here in Iceland, do you think that it can play a role in helping increase representation for minority groups?
HD - Yes. Publishing gives people a voice to share their experiences.
ED - Absolutely. I think that getting more stories out there from more perspectives can only help the situation.
HD - This will get better in time, I believe, because of social media and a higher awareness of different identities and peoples. It might just be a slow process.