Kids and Teens ( What Diversity? )

Kids and Teens ( What Diversity? )

Last week, I carelessly strolled through the Teen Section of Chapters in hopes of finding a new novel I had yet to experience. Weaving in and out of the aisles, I passed some of the most popular teen books: Divergent, Twilight, Harry Potter, and The Fault in Our Stars. As I sat down in the neighbouring Starbucks, I realized a pattern in all the books displayed. Each novel had a hero or heroine who was intelligent, vulnerable, interesting, and - white.

In modern teen literature, it seems diversity is non-existent. As an avid reader, finding characters I can relate to in young adult fiction is always difficult. Let's face it, I am a short, dark-skinned, fairly curvaceous Jamaican and reading books with protagonists constantly described as tall, and slim, with long flowing hair, and porcelain skin has become unbearable.

Showcased in Chapter's "21 Books to Read Before You're 21 List" is the best Young Adult (YA) fiction from the past few years. The Perks of Being a Wall Flower, The Hunger Games, and Speak were amongst the recognized novels. Again, each book on the list follows the unwritten rule which states: writing a book with a Caucasian protagonist makes a story more interesting. This familiar concept creates an internal discontentment for me, but who can I blame? The majority of popular authors are Caucasian, therefore they write about characters who look like them. It made me question if it was an author's fault when every protagonist in their books are Caucasian - if they're Caucasian themselves. In my opinion, the answer is yes. If it isn't difficult for a female author, for example J.K Rowling to write about a male protagonist and be successful, then it shouldn't be difficult for a Caucasian author to write about an Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, or African-American protagonist. Although people write from personal experience, I believe that solely writing about one specific person or race is boring.

When visible minorities are protagonist in Young Adult fiction, the book's plot is destined to involve slavery, racial discrimination and some form of challenge the person must face due to the colour of their skin. This ideology is best identified in novels such as The Kite Runner, or The Secret Life of Bees. Although these books are important as they teach of equality and our history, it is still unjust that we cannot view people of different cultures without accompanying obstacles they must face due to the colour of their skin.

Overall, I am still unsatisfied with the lack of diversity and positive portrayal of different ethnicities in fictional novels. Where are the books with the kick-ass Japanese girl, who saves her district; or the book with a young African boy who moves to a new city and experiences the most interesting summer of his life; and since when did Caucasians become the only race to experience a cute romance?

When we do have minorities in Young Adult books that are free from stereotypes or struggles, they are always supporting characters, never the central focus. For example, Uriah and Christina from Divergent, Marcus from Paper Towns, and Takumi from Looking for Alaska are all supporting characters of different ethnicities. These characters were very interesting, had charisma, however it's irritating that the author would never create a story from their point of view.

As I walk through the Teen Section of Chapters, yet again, I am sad that in the modern world, especially in North America, we still lack diversity in something as simple as our literature. Before I leave, my eye catches a book - Eleanor and Park. The novel is written by Rainbow Rowell and the protagonist is funny, smart and - Korean. When asked why Park is Korean, Rowell states, "Because I think there should be more Asian-American characters in YA, especially boys. (And also more chubby girls.) Because it's up to people like me, who write, to write them." Rowell's words are true and impactful, they demonstrate to youth what a writer should be doing.

To the average teenager, they have found a new romance novel to swoon over. I however, have just found my new favourite book.

Please comment on how YOU feel about the lack of diversity within Young Adult Fiction.