Tayari's Blog: So The National Book Awards Happened

Posted by TayariJones on November 20, 2009 06:58 AM
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This Year's Winners.
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones
By now I am sure that you have all heard the news about the National Book Awards. To put it succinctly, white men swept the evening-- all categories, including the honorary awards. It was a tense night-- after Publishers Weekly excluded women from it's 2009 "best of" list and the "5 under 35" were all white, it was hard not to feel a trend.

Of course, the world is complicated. There was quite a bit of diversity in both the judging panels and the finalists. All categories included women and writers of color.

I will admit that I don't know what to make of it. I know how it felt to be a woman writer of color that evening. I had a number of weirdly marginalizing personal encounters that evening. I arrived in high spirits and left feeling a bit deflated.

I want to say something profound here, or help make sense of things, but I am still feeling a little shell shocked, and unsure what it really means. I don't usually like posting when I don't really have anything to say, but I also like to keep my readers informed. So here it is, information.


On a happier note, I did get some cute photos while everyone was still in a good mood.

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There are 2 comments on "So The National Book Awards Happened". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Bethany [TypeKey Profile Page]

Maybe the reason for this and PW is that...white American males are feeling really vulnerable right now, feeling like what they're used to is being taken away and they don't have much to do about it. And everyone - even those used to marginalization - are severely sympathetic. They are our nation's swaddled princes. And they must be coddled.

I'd probably blog something inflammatory like that. That's just where my mind goes. And not just for the sake of being inflammatory either - nothing can convince me that something about that isn't true.
(What's the emoticon for the half-smile?)

November 20, 2009 10:56 AM

Comment #2, by matthew aaron goodman [TypeKey Profile Page]

Hey Tayari,

I attended the 5 under 35 and felt disheartened as well, and I was disheartened by publishers weekly. As a Jewish writer, I have the privilege of sliding into that constructed white literary ideal, but I also have the opportunity to step back and consider the inclusion for what it is, and what it is not. I agree with your sentiments. The disregard for celebrating the breath of what is contemporary American writing is boring, tired, old, flaccid, a chorus of flatulating congregants in a sauna at an old boys club so to speak. But, I think, you must take solace and strength for a reason much more important, much more pressing than publisher’s weekly or the nba.

That is, is a national book award more important than Girls Write Now? No. Impossible. Of course, recognition by the cool folks, the included, the big dogs would be nice, and it is certainly a hallmark of a successful writing career. I am not denying that. But inspiring others, proving to young minds that their wild imaginations are worthy of celebration and love is the hallmark of a purposeful life, a life well lived; and this, in the end, is what makes not only great writers but great people, an undoubtedly more important distinction.

Respectfully, Matthew

November 21, 2009 11:15 AM

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