Written by The recent Robinsons Bookshop controversy has emerged in the Australian book community, shedding light on the ongoing debate surrounding diversity and inclusion in books. The owner of notable Victorian chain Robinsons Bookshop, Susanne Horman, found herself at the center of a social media storm after expressing her desire for more books featuring white children, traditional nuclear families and strong male protagonists. This incident has sparked intense discussions online, with opinions divided on the matter.
Susanne Horman’s controversial comments were shared in a series of tweets on X. In her tweets, she expressed a perceived lack of positive male lead characters, traditional white family stories, and children’s picture books featuring only white kids on the cover. She also proclaimed that the publishing world “did not need” books which included “the woke agenda that divides people” which she defined as “hate against white Australians, socialist agenda, equity over equality, diversity and inclusion (READ AS anti-white exclusion), left wing govt propaganda”.
After being reposted by an Instagram user, Horman’s comments received a swift social media backlash. The backlash was fueled by the belief that Horman’s views were inaccurate and offensive to minority groups.
There is also a side-note to this story: the original Instagram user who posted the tweets (known as @coffeebooksandmagic) later added comments to the original post statements that Horman’s former employees had come to her with allegations of mistreatment. To quote: “I have now had at least 5+ former employees contact me to tell me that she has truly always been this awful, and also a dreadful employer by all accounts.” However, these updates have largely gone unreported in news coverage of the story, and as second-hand allegations their legitimacy is unknown.
The case for diverse literature: are traditional white narratives still the majority?
One perspective argues that Susanne Horman’s comments are inaccurate and fail to acknowledge the existing representation of white nuclear families and male protagonists in children’s literature. Advocates of this viewpoint contend that there is already a significant presence of such characters, and Horman’s remarks overlook that many prominent authors are still white men. Additionally, they argue that her comments can be offensive to minority groups, implying a disregard for the importance of diverse representation in literature.
White nuclear families and strong male protagonists have traditionally dominated literature, and many argue that this narrative has persisted. A growing number of readers have called for more inclusive storytelling that goes beyond these themes. This has led to an increased demand for diverse narratives, while still having many white narratives exist in publishing.
Those critical of the Robinsons Bookshop controversy point to a plethora of books that already feature positive representations of white families and male lead characters. They contend that literature has evolved to embrace a more diverse range of narratives, highlighting the experiences of individuals from various backgrounds. In this view, the call for more books with “white kids on the cover” is perceived as regressive, undermining the progress made toward a more inclusive literary landscape.
Moreover, critics argue that Susanne Horman’s controversial use of the term “woke agenda” oversimplifies the push for diverse literature. Supporters of diversity argue that it is not about an agenda but about reflecting the rich tapestry of human experiences in literature. They say to dismiss this as a divisive agenda undermines the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the diverse perspectives that make up our society.
The case against diverse literature: forced diversity leading to gaps in the market
On the other side of the spectrum, some argue that the Robinsons Bookshop controversy should be taken seriously. They seee it as a critique against what they perceive as forced diversity initiatives. Supporters of this perspective believe that recent trends in publishing have indeed emphasized diverse narratives. But, this is at the expense of traditional white family stories and strong male protagonists. They argue that there is a discernible shift in the industry. So, Susan Horman’s comments reflect a frustration with this perceived imbalance.
This perspective was later expanded on by the official Robinsons Bookshop Facebook account. They released a post explaining that Horman’s comments were inspired by experience of staff at the business. They claimed that there seemed to be “gaps” in the current book market caused by the lack of traditional narratives.
To understand this perspective, it is essential to consider the evolving landscape of publishing. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to amplify voices that have been historically marginalized or underrepresented. Publishers have sought to provide readers with a broader understanding of the world. They do this through stories that explore different cultures, experiences, and identities.
Those supporting Horman’s viewpoint contend that there is value in maintaining a balance between traditional and diverse narratives. They argue that the recent emphasis on diversity leads to a neglect of certain stories. Specifically, those featuring white families and strong male protagonists. This is creating a perceived gap in representation. This perspective acknowledges the importance of inclusivity but suggests that it should not come at the expense of other narratives. Additionally, it risks creating the representation gaps for boys and white children that had previously existed in minority groups. The comments by Robinsons Bookshop further explained this aspect of the controversy.
Additionally, supporters of Susanne Horman argue that her critique is not against diversity itself. Instead, what she perceives as forced or tokenistic efforts to push a message rather than genuinely celebrating diverse voices. They contend that true inclusivity should arise organically, without sacrificing the authenticity of the storytelling. In this view, Horman’s comments become a call for a more thoughtful and balanced approach to diversity in literature. In this way, the Robinsons Bookshop controversy is an example of the book industry rebalancing itself.
The public response to Horman’s comments
The social media public seems to have reacted negatively to Susanne Horman’s comments, and to Robinsons Bookshop as a business. Australian news coverage of the controversy has tended to veer against the tweets. Examples include articles written by The Conversation and ABC, which discuss the controversy negatively.
The only major news outlet supportive of Susanne Horman was Sky News, who released an interview with her.
The Robinsons Bookshop controversy highlights the ongoing tension between different perspectives on diversity in literature. Some argue for the importance of accurate representation and the need for diverse narratives. While others express concerns about what they see as an overemphasis on forced diversity at the expense of traditional storytelling.
Who is right?
Literature is supposed to portray all walks of life and all perspectives. This includes perspectives that are common, popular, or uncommon and unpopular. The controversy in Robinsons Bookshop show that in today’s book landscape, some perspectives are not allowed. Susanne Horman’s comments point to an issue that is looming on the horizon of the book industry. Current publishing trends are highlighting voices that previously went unacknowledged, and that is good. However, Horman’s inside experience as a bookbuyer means that she understands what is being published and promoted. She has insider knowledge not avaliabe to the average book consumer. And, her experience indicates that the new trend in diverse literature is resulting in other narratives been cast aside. This means that there is a risk of underrepresentation if these trends continue.
Additionally, Horman’s comments and the resulting backlash show that a strong negative attitude exists against certain perspectives. There is an aspect of Horman’s tweets that is not being discussed. She didn’t want to have books “against white Australians” and books that “divide people”. Horman’s message was ultimately one of having universal tolerance, understanding and respect for everyone regardless of background. The Robinsons Bookshop controversy has resulted in proving her exact point. Certain messages and stories are currently being pushed, at the cost of others. And those who point out the issues receive swift backlash.
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