![]() ![]() ![]() In this conversation, Roxane and I discuss our work and the problems of proper cultural representation. I could see it in their faces as we discussed Roxane’s work previous to the Skype call and in their questions and comments as they spoke to Roxane and after as we continued our discussions-I realized my students were gazing into a mirror in that reflection they found the permission to write the stories they needed to write. The class that semester happened to be made up entirely of black women. Once upon a time Roxane Gay spoke via Skype to my class of Bowie State University creative writing students. Or worse yet, any reflections they see are distorted, lopsided and malformed versions of themselves. Previous to this revelation said writer has looked and looked, but found few mirrors, few reflections of themselves in the popular culture. It’s common to hear writers of color speak of reading a particular book by a writer who shares their background or encountering a writer who shares cultural similarities and suddenly feeling permission to write the things they need to write. ![]()
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