Despite her initial enthusiasm for “American Dirt,” Oprah has now declared her intention to host a “deeper, more substantive discussion” about the selection, one that incorporates perspectives from “all sides” of the controversy
Oprah Winfrey. Photo: Michael Short/Getty Images Oprah Winfrey’s latest book club pick, American Dirt, sparked a furious backlash basically as soon as she announced it. The novel tells the story of a mother fleeing Mexico with her son, after a drug cartel kills her husband; its author, who is notably not Mexican and who has openly identified herself as white, has been accused of trafficking in stereotypes while appropriating a culture to which she does not belong.
Announcing Jeanine Cummins’s American Dirt as her next book club read last Tuesday, Oprah explained that, “from the first sentence, [she] was IN.” She felt “opened” and “shook up,” she said, predicting that “everybody who reads this book is actually going to be immersed in the experience of what it means to be a migrant on the run for freedom.” A number of reviewers disagreed.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Oprah assured viewers that she has heard “the outpouring of very passionate opinions,” and is reimagining her upcoming Apple TV+ event — planned around American Dirt and scheduled for March — in order to “open up the conversation in unexpected and … really meaningful ways.”
“I’ve spent the past few days listening to members of the Latinx community to get a greater understanding of their concerns, and I hear them, I do,” she says in the video. “So what I want to do is bring people together from all sides to talk about this book, and who gets to publish what stories. I’m hoping that that is going to resonate with many of you and your concerns.”
Meanwhile, as Vox reports, some Latinx activists are taking a different approach: United We Dream, an immigrant youth group, is petitioning Oprah directly to pick more books by Latinx and immigrant authors for her wildly popular club, while writers Roberto Lovato, David Bowles, and Myriam Gurba are organizing digital and real-time “politico-literary” actions under the hashtag, #DignidadLiteraria.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Disney's CEO Bob Iger is so busy even Oprah was stunned—here's how he stays organizedIt's no surprise Disney CEO Bob Iger has a lot of work on his hands. Disney's market capitalization has grown over $200 billion since he was hired for the top job in 2005. Here's how Iger organizes his day to fit everything in.
Baca lebih lajut »
Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg's 'The Color Purple' returning to theaters for 35th anniversaryThe Color Purple, the film that introduced the world to Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg's big-screen talents, is returning to theaters.…
Baca lebih lajut »
Reese Witherspoon Really Wants You To Be Her LibrarianReese Witherspoon is in search of a resident librarian for her Hello Sunshine Book Club.
Baca lebih lajut »
Prince Harry's Friend Nacho Figueras Says Royal Has 'Suffered a Lot' and Wants a 'Normal Life''He's being a father... a guy who is trying to protect his cub,' Nacho Figueras said of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal exit
Baca lebih lajut »
Tan France wants to do Queer Eye for a 'long long time'Tan France has opened up about his future on the popular Netflix show, Queer Eye
Baca lebih lajut »