Hart House Debates and Dialogue

We are witnessing a paradigm shift in the realm of arts and culture. With audiences calling for increasing representation of minorities from all different backgrounds, Hollywood producers, record labels, and publishers have caught on. In the field of writing and poetry, key players such as publishing houses, agents, writers, and social media have revealed or been part of multiple controversies over the past year that brings to light the challenges faced by minority storytellers. Recently, Barnes & Noble and Penguin Random House pulled their Black History Month initiative, which included the release of classic novels featuring ethnically diverse characters on their covers, when it proved to no substitute for publishing minority authors. Romance Writers of America (RWA), an association of over 9,000 romance authors, was called out for continued racism within the organisation.

This event will explore the artistic field of writing and how it is responding to social movements calling for diversification. To what degree can minority representation be accurate in an industry dominated by those who are not? How are publishing standards changing, and what is the process for minority authors to access representation? What kinds of setbacks do minorities face when accessing representation, and what kinds of support can minorities access within the writing industry? In honour of International Women’s Day, we look forward to welcoming you at Hart House on March 2nd at 7PM for an insightful discussion on how minority authors are resisting through their storytelling.

Moderator: Liselle Sambury

Speakers: Farah Heron, June Hur, Nasim Asgari