Jim Crow and Cover Art

It is apparently the practice at some publishing houses, when the main character is Black or Brown skinned, to put a Caucasian on the cover. I had noticed this back in the 1970’s, when I would see pictures of Sparrowhawk of Roke or Mr. Rico of the Mobile Infantry or even Podkayne of Mars (if her uncle is a Maori, she is at least a octoroon, right?) — and they would be white, I thought it was because the cover artist hadn’t read the book. When not one but two versions of Ursula K LeGuin’s Earthsea came out (a made-for-TV Sci-Fi channel version, and a Studeo Ghibli version) neither one made Sparrowhawk look like a Pacific Islander.

It is almost impossible to rouse my ire on this issue. Not only am I insensitive to these issues, I actually think people should suffer a certain amount of mockery and insult, just to learn the stoicism necessary for living in a Democratic society with relatively unpleasant creatures like Homo Sapiens for neighbors. I don’t like complainers, I don’t think people should listen to complaints, and I don’t think professional greivence mongers should exploit the softheartedness of those who do listen to complaints.

Almost impossible is not impossible. This is gross. My ire is truly and duly roused. 


LIAR by Justine Larbalestier — pre-Outcry and post-Outcry cover art

But even I am appalled at this. This is ghastly. A house called Bloomsbury publishes a book with a black main character, but puts a white dame on the cover! There is a public outcry, and they reissue the book with a different cover–and then, ignoring the potential outcry, they do it again.


MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore — Is that supposed to be Nimira?


You can read about it here.

My comment: I would say I was about as far from being sensitive to issues of race, sex, color, national origin, as it is possible to be. As a curmudgeon misanthropist, I curse and belittle all men equally. One reason why I converted to Christianity, was that the insight that all men are radically sinful fallen creatures under the curse of Adam seemed to me to be a mere common-sense observation: the theory of original sin explained phenomena as diverse as why good intentioned policies produce misery, why people lie under oath, why pretty girls are attracted to orcs, and body odor. Who is without sin? Even Cato tippled wine, even Jefferson kept slaves (indulging in adulterous master-slavegirl miscegenation-style fornication, if DNA evidence proves true. I understand John Norman is putting this in his next novel, FOUNDING FATHERS OF GOR). Unfortunately, once trapped sinister "meme" of the infinite joy and peace of Christ, I was told that it was my duty to love all men equally. No man was ever given a task for which he was less qualified. But to regard all men equally, whether as a curmudgeon or as a Christian, either in equal disdain or equal charity, that has always been part of my grain. I can bearly even imagine thinking any other way.

So I am the last person who would ever notice or be shocked by racism. The word has been misused so often, I was convinced it had lost its meaning.

Well, no. It has not lost its meaning. I can still be shocked. Racism is alive and well and making a comeback.

I thought these days were behind us. I actually thought the PC-types were complaining about nothing, making mountains out of molehills. Boy, I am wrong and I owe them an apology. The fight against evil never ends; the Shadow merely takes a new form and rises again.

You can send your letters of complaint here:

bloomsbury.kids@bloomsburyusa.com
children.publicity@bloomsburyusa.com