Representation & Appropriation in Publishing

— Last checked December 2025 by Doris Fiedrich.

The Basics

• Elliott, Alicia. “On Seeing and Being Seen: The Difference Between Writing With Empathy and Writing With Love.” Room Magazine. Reflects on the profound impact of reading works by fellow Indigenous women, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation. Read Article
• Johnson, Maisha Z. “What’s Wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal Its Harm.” Everyday Feminism, Jun. 14, 2015. Explains that cultural appropriation involves members of a dominant culture adopting elements from marginalized cultures, often leading to exploitation of the marginalized group’s cultural expressions. Read Article
  
• “What Does It Mean to Appreciate vs. Appropriate Culture?” University of British Columbia, Oct. 27, 2021. A look at the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation from the Vice President Finance & Operations Portfolio. Read Article

A Deeper Dive

• Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. “The Danger of a Single Story.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, Oct. 7, 2009. Tells the story of how the speaker found her authentic cultural voice. Watch Video
• Chau Bradley, Helen . “Words of (Dis)Comfort: On the Luxuries and Limitations of Reading While White.” Carte Blanche. Examines how the predominance of white, cisgender, heterosexual women in the publishing industry influences the narratives that are promoted and consumed. Read Article
• Crenshaw, Kimberlé. “The Urgency of Intersectionality.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, Dec. 7, 2016. A look at the reality of race and gender bias. Watch Video
• Felton, Lena.“Celeste Ng Called Amy Tan: We listened in.” The Washington Post, May 2, 2019. “They talked about ‘The Joy Luck Club,’ authenticity and why stories with a perfect husband never work.” Read Article
• Ganguly, Anjita. “Diversity in Publishing: the Need for Inclusivity.” Exceller Books, Dec. 30, 2023. Embraces diverse voices in the publishing industry is both a moral imperative and a creative necessity. Read Article
• Gonsalez, Marcos Santiago. “When ‘Good Writing’ Means ‘White Writing’.” Electric Literature, Nov. 1, 2017. Examines how the publishing industry’s standards often equate “good writing” with white, Western norms, marginalizing diverse voices and reinforcing systemic biases. Read Article
  
• Leduc, Amanda. “When All Your Faves Are Problematic.” Open Book, Feb. 26, 2019. Reflects on the disillusionment that arises when beloved authors or stories reveal troubling aspects. Read Article
  
• Ng, Celeste. “Why I Don’t Want to Be the Next Amy Tan.” HuffPost, Mar. 18, 2010, updated May 25, 2011. Discusses the challenges and pressures faced by individuals who are the sole representatives of their gender, race, or other identities. Read Article
• Nunnally, Mya. “7 Casually Racist Things That White Authors Do.” Book Riot, Feb. 5, 2018. Highlights common practices in writing that unintentionally perpetuate racial stereotypes. Read Article
  
• Pyle, Kai Minosh. “CanLit, AmLit – NishLit? Rematriating Indigenous Literature Beyond Borders.” Carte Blanche, Feb. 7, 2019. Discusses the challenges Indigenous writers face when their work crosses international borders. Read Article
• Whittaker, Alison. “White critics don’t know how to deal with the golden age of Indigenous stories.” The Guardian, Mar. 15, 2019. Discusses the challenges Indigenous writers face when their work crosses international borders. Read Article
• Writing the Other. Resources and classes to be more inclusive in writing. Visit Site
• Young, James O. and Conrad G. Brunk, eds.“The Ethics of Cultural Appropriation.” Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. Read Partial Copy | Find in a Library

Style Guides

• Yin, Karen. Conscious Style Guide. Visit Site
• The Diversity Style Guide. Visit Site
• NABJ Style Guide. National Association of Black Journalists. Visit Site
• “Writing Guide for Indigenous Content.” Government of British Columbia, May 3, 2024. Visit Site