The Insider/Outsider Debate

I have to admit, I was definitely torn about the insider/outsider debate. After reading all of the assigned articles on this topic, on the other hand, I think I have finally come to a conclusion as to where my thoughts lie on this subject.

I think Harris said it best when discussing the topic of whether multicultural literature should be written by a same-race author:

"I selected the authors because they are experts in literacy and/or children's literature, they are informed about the group's literature; and they possess the critical consciousness that enabled them to assess the literature in a forthright manner" (Pg. 11).

I agree that multicultural literature should be considered genuine if the author is well educated in the group's background and history. I would say that it would be easier for a same race author to write literature about his or her same race (as it would be easier for them to identify with the race they are writing about since they know firsthand what it is like), yet I wouldn't say that same-race authors are the only authors that can write genuine literature on this subject matter. I believe that any author should be given the opportunity to write about whichever race he or she chooses, but I would highly suggest that they thoroughly research the desired race/culture they are writing about and pay great attention to making sure their literature is written without the usage of stereotypes and generalizations.

Being an outsider author does entail much more work than if one was an insider author for the desired culture/ethnicity. I do think that many outsiders would be discouraged from writing about a race other than their own, though, for fear of being criticized about not understanding first hand about the culture he or she is writing about. Yet, writing literature from an outsider perspective should be embraced by all if it encourages people to research and learn more about cultures that differ from their own. In order to get rid of stereotypes, generalizations, and biases I can see how writing literature from an outsider perspective can cause an author to learn much more about a culture he or she might be unfamiliar with and therefore help their personal stereotypes diminish if they may have them.