The observation about the lack of activist characters in fiction, with realistic day life around their work for the cause they support, is so true.
I like the fact that you put links inside the text. Those links and the fact that you refer to recent other articles, show that you are solid in what you bring us. You are not stagnant in your knowledge about the subject. That saves the idea that activism is a relevant mode of communication in a democracy. It is actual even if it is often depicted as savage or past date.
I like also your approach of hypothesis and bringing inputs of informations with respect of the intelligence of the reader to make his own mind (to agree or not with some points, let go his own curiosity/focus on others...).
Would you be open to, one day, offer your observations about societal conflicts VS internal and external conflicts in fiction ?
Thanks!! It's so helpful to say in detail what you liked in detail, and why. I do try to offer reflections and ideas for further discussion in what I hope is a collectively developing look at various aspects of activist culture. Regarding your question, do you mean, observations on how societal conflicts are expressed in the thoughts, feelings and interactions of characters in fiction? I would love it if you can further clarify your question.
"I would love it if you can further clarify your question."
The observation you made about how is depicted activism in fiction and the little place it takes brought me to be more curious about your observations from the point of view of a writer or for somebody who wants to write and feature activism in his story.
As writers often tend to brainstorm a story around internal and external conflicts, and as the social change expected by the activists in a story is an external conflict, I was curious about your observations on, from there, where do you feel authors can take the path of repeating for exemple the stereotypical angry or stoic hero VS to use realistic multiple characters development as main characters working together.
What place and links you observe in existing stories about internal vs external conflicts ? What makes them repetitive and non-realistic? Is their some points that you have spotted that, if an author keeps in mind to remain vigilant about them, he will be on the track of proposing a story that supports and encourages a healthy and more realistic picture of activism ?
That is only exemples. But for those who like to write stories (like me 😉), I think your observations, as a writer and activist, would be really interesting ! At least, I know they would be for me :-)
Thanks for the clarification! I plan to publish very soon an article (or more than one) going into the question of how exactly activists and social movements are stereotyped--as "angry or stoic" or similar distortions--, as well as marginalized and de-humanized. I hope that will address the question. And offer some ways for writers (and readers) to notice how this happens and find more human ways of depicting them, in your words, as "realistic multiple characters development as main characters working together."
In the writing world, we usually look to avoid creating "de-humanized" characters / perfect cliché static roles. We look for their specific wants and fears, their misbeliefs, their need. Their strenghts but also their flaws, or they would not be relatable. For some reasons (11 hypothesis from you), activists seems to get less dimensions in fiction than others (I would not generalized that statement thought, you made a great list about those who nailed it or reached near of it).
Their is often something viceral that brings somebody to jump into activism. Youngers often look for autonomy and a group that support their value and help them to built their identity. But the more people have experiences in life, the more various these reasons are. And it takes courage to be an activism. The ability to assert oneself is not that easy, even more so if it has to be publicly around the theme of a social conflict.
I am under the impression that books that missed all that human and relatable content to make the quest matter to the reader are overlooking something really interesting (and more empowering than a hero in total power).
The first young author I saw on youtube explaining internal conflict is Abbie Emmon. If you are curious, here is a link. Nothing about activism, but it is about writing fiction.
Yes, I will look it up. This week's post on Activist Explorer will be about a book that precisely takes on the task of depicting real, non-cliché activists engaged in a range of situations as organizers. It is based on interviewing the author--I hope you will like it!
Of the 11 guesses, the one that most fascinates me is #3: "fiction in Western contemporary culture, especially since the Cold War, tends to focus on individual characters tackling dilemmas and challenges on their own, without reference to “any community, ideology, or political system.” (Annie Levin, “How Creative Writing Programs De-Politicized Fiction,” Current Affairs, April 18, 2022.) There is something deeply wrong about this, but true to our hyperindividualism as a culture. I read a lot, and this has bothered me but inchoately, it wasn't something I could easily put my finger on. I just read Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde, set in Nigeria, and the difference is very easy for me to put my finger on: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667821/vagabonds-by-eloghosa-osunde/ Thank you for your 11 guesses! + each other thing you included in the latest piece +have written on this website!
"There is something deeply wrong about this, but true to our hyperindividualism as a culture." The same link came to my mind. Their would be a lot of stuff to write just on that point you brought.
Isn't that weird that individualism reached a point were even social movements are done individualy ? I like to believe that we have still enough cohesion and adaptability in groups and society to change as a group while still respecting the individuality of their members.
I'd like to read more fictions including those issues, hope and struggles included. It would be more realistic and engaging than a story with a unique hero for a group of still kept dependant members (ex: been submitted by force to a villain super-authority in power, and then submitting themselves to their new hero's actions and results).
Totally agree! That is why I am looking at works about activists in fiction, trying to find and highlight exactly the kind of story you describe (first kind, not second kind!) Because activists so rarely appear at all, I also feature works that show some realistic form of activism, even if it tends toward individualism, but I'm really looking for depictions of the true way most activism happens (of course, in its infinite variations). I think the ones I have written about so far (https://julianabarnet.substack.com/s/fiction-featuring-activists) are more collective and movement-oriented. I will also be posting critiques of fiction showing how it is dismissive and stereotyping of activists.
Thanks so much! Yes, reading Annie Levin's article, and other pieces she references, clarified for me how calculated this hyperindividualistic depolitization is--our own tax dollars at work warping our minds! Your comment really pinpoints two distinct ways our eyes can be opened to the truth: well-researched information and analysis, as in Levin's article, on the one hand, and good examples of works that do not reflect that mindset, as in Osunde's novel--and others I hope to keep highlighting in this section of the newsletter.
You are getting such great responses to your work, Julie! It is rare for me in my own blogging to receive responses in-depth, and I am really appreciating you and yours.
Thanks very much, Beth! I really appreciate your thoughts (and I mean to go back and do a post from a question you asked a while ago on the Beast Screaming in My Head.) I think the newsletter is a great medium for this. I don't want to forsake my website, but the newsletter seems a better vehicle for discussion, especially since lately I am rarely on social media.
There's no either/or, just both/and. I love when readers give me ideas for new pieces, and you now have a mini-pile of them! Just shows you are onto something vital.
I really enjoyed your latest newsletter, Julianna. Food for thought!
It's true, there is a lack of activist characters in fiction concerning real life everyday people's lives that involves their activist work while living a life of struggle, servitude and survival; sharing our common experiences for a greater cause we activist live, support, eat and sleep is a noble cause.
Thanks, Debra! And efforts like recreating the life of Claudia Jones (and other amazing activists) in story, performance, film, and other forms of fiction contribute to filling this lack, showing folks what the activist life is actually like--challenging but also joyful and fun.
Certainly food for thought. Also, young adult or children's books/movies/shows would have to avoid "controversial" topics to prevent any challenge to the status quo. I can imagine my brother and his wife rolling their eyes if I found and sent such literature to their kids; they refuse to even discuss politics with me. Anyway, this is why I love good political thrillers - exploring unjust systems is a key part of the drama, though of course the focus is generally on individual (often white) heroes.
Also, I recall feeling unfulfilled, even as a youth or youth adult, after watching or reading about a story of an underdog who overcame adversity to "succeed" in the conventional sense. I recall often thinking - what about everyone they left behind? How is this one individual's triumph changing anything? What will they do with their newfound success? They call them "feel good" stories, but I often felt frustrated. Some of us are born with an innate sense of justice for all, despite the toxic individualism hammered into us by U.S. society.
Very true, Zephyr! Those are the folks I have in mind when I think about fiction centering activists and social movements rather than individual heroes. And the "feel good" result you mention generally has to do with restoring the status quo, not changing it.
I do think Grace Paley, activist all her life, and some of her short stories, including the one perhaps most anthologized, "A Conversation with My Father," subtly did this work while layering with another powerful level of conflict. What do you think?
Over a year late, but thanks, I really enjoyed this list of reasons activists are missing in fiction. Thanks especially for the Current Affairs article, which I'll read now. On a related, and somewhat taboo topic: I find Substack way to full of people writing about very individually focused topics, lots of random memoir-type reflections and no where near enough stuff on collectives. Really glad I find this newsletter and great to have you back writing regularly!
Thanks very much, Carrie! Yes indeed, we need much more thinking and writing about extricating ourselves from the individualism that entwines us in so many constricting ways. And thanks for the encouragement. I also enjoy your newsletter, which I just subscribed to. I like the way you link to your other work with Linktree. I will be following your example!
Having just published a book of what I consider activist fiction, I'm searching for what others have said.... to your point: not much. And a couple years have not changed that.
I really enjoy your newsletter !
The observation about the lack of activist characters in fiction, with realistic day life around their work for the cause they support, is so true.
I like the fact that you put links inside the text. Those links and the fact that you refer to recent other articles, show that you are solid in what you bring us. You are not stagnant in your knowledge about the subject. That saves the idea that activism is a relevant mode of communication in a democracy. It is actual even if it is often depicted as savage or past date.
I like also your approach of hypothesis and bringing inputs of informations with respect of the intelligence of the reader to make his own mind (to agree or not with some points, let go his own curiosity/focus on others...).
Would you be open to, one day, offer your observations about societal conflicts VS internal and external conflicts in fiction ?
Bravo for your good work !
I love VM's idea for your observations, Juliana!
Thanks!! It's so helpful to say in detail what you liked in detail, and why. I do try to offer reflections and ideas for further discussion in what I hope is a collectively developing look at various aspects of activist culture. Regarding your question, do you mean, observations on how societal conflicts are expressed in the thoughts, feelings and interactions of characters in fiction? I would love it if you can further clarify your question.
"I would love it if you can further clarify your question."
The observation you made about how is depicted activism in fiction and the little place it takes brought me to be more curious about your observations from the point of view of a writer or for somebody who wants to write and feature activism in his story.
As writers often tend to brainstorm a story around internal and external conflicts, and as the social change expected by the activists in a story is an external conflict, I was curious about your observations on, from there, where do you feel authors can take the path of repeating for exemple the stereotypical angry or stoic hero VS to use realistic multiple characters development as main characters working together.
What place and links you observe in existing stories about internal vs external conflicts ? What makes them repetitive and non-realistic? Is their some points that you have spotted that, if an author keeps in mind to remain vigilant about them, he will be on the track of proposing a story that supports and encourages a healthy and more realistic picture of activism ?
That is only exemples. But for those who like to write stories (like me 😉), I think your observations, as a writer and activist, would be really interesting ! At least, I know they would be for me :-)
Thanks for the clarification! I plan to publish very soon an article (or more than one) going into the question of how exactly activists and social movements are stereotyped--as "angry or stoic" or similar distortions--, as well as marginalized and de-humanized. I hope that will address the question. And offer some ways for writers (and readers) to notice how this happens and find more human ways of depicting them, in your words, as "realistic multiple characters development as main characters working together."
Yes 😀
About the internal conflict :
In the writing world, we usually look to avoid creating "de-humanized" characters / perfect cliché static roles. We look for their specific wants and fears, their misbeliefs, their need. Their strenghts but also their flaws, or they would not be relatable. For some reasons (11 hypothesis from you), activists seems to get less dimensions in fiction than others (I would not generalized that statement thought, you made a great list about those who nailed it or reached near of it).
Their is often something viceral that brings somebody to jump into activism. Youngers often look for autonomy and a group that support their value and help them to built their identity. But the more people have experiences in life, the more various these reasons are. And it takes courage to be an activism. The ability to assert oneself is not that easy, even more so if it has to be publicly around the theme of a social conflict.
I am under the impression that books that missed all that human and relatable content to make the quest matter to the reader are overlooking something really interesting (and more empowering than a hero in total power).
The first young author I saw on youtube explaining internal conflict is Abbie Emmon. If you are curious, here is a link. Nothing about activism, but it is about writing fiction.
https://youtu.be/oiR42apkOy4
Yes, I will look it up. This week's post on Activist Explorer will be about a book that precisely takes on the task of depicting real, non-cliché activists engaged in a range of situations as organizers. It is based on interviewing the author--I hope you will like it!
I write about internal conflict at some length, as well, here where I discuss "trouble vs. conflict" https://marytabor.substack.com/p/build-character-for-your-narrative— For my course only I do ask for payment, but am happy to discuss at any time and am always looking for guest writers on my site and on https://Innerlifecollaborative.substack.com -- so both of you please stay in touch and contact me directly at <mltabor@me.com> if you have interest. xo
Of the 11 guesses, the one that most fascinates me is #3: "fiction in Western contemporary culture, especially since the Cold War, tends to focus on individual characters tackling dilemmas and challenges on their own, without reference to “any community, ideology, or political system.” (Annie Levin, “How Creative Writing Programs De-Politicized Fiction,” Current Affairs, April 18, 2022.) There is something deeply wrong about this, but true to our hyperindividualism as a culture. I read a lot, and this has bothered me but inchoately, it wasn't something I could easily put my finger on. I just read Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde, set in Nigeria, and the difference is very easy for me to put my finger on: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667821/vagabonds-by-eloghosa-osunde/ Thank you for your 11 guesses! + each other thing you included in the latest piece +have written on this website!
"There is something deeply wrong about this, but true to our hyperindividualism as a culture." The same link came to my mind. Their would be a lot of stuff to write just on that point you brought.
Isn't that weird that individualism reached a point were even social movements are done individualy ? I like to believe that we have still enough cohesion and adaptability in groups and society to change as a group while still respecting the individuality of their members.
I'd like to read more fictions including those issues, hope and struggles included. It would be more realistic and engaging than a story with a unique hero for a group of still kept dependant members (ex: been submitted by force to a villain super-authority in power, and then submitting themselves to their new hero's actions and results).
Totally agree! That is why I am looking at works about activists in fiction, trying to find and highlight exactly the kind of story you describe (first kind, not second kind!) Because activists so rarely appear at all, I also feature works that show some realistic form of activism, even if it tends toward individualism, but I'm really looking for depictions of the true way most activism happens (of course, in its infinite variations). I think the ones I have written about so far (https://julianabarnet.substack.com/s/fiction-featuring-activists) are more collective and movement-oriented. I will also be posting critiques of fiction showing how it is dismissive and stereotyping of activists.
Thanks, Beth! I love and look forward to your comments on my posts!!
Thanks so much! Yes, reading Annie Levin's article, and other pieces she references, clarified for me how calculated this hyperindividualistic depolitization is--our own tax dollars at work warping our minds! Your comment really pinpoints two distinct ways our eyes can be opened to the truth: well-researched information and analysis, as in Levin's article, on the one hand, and good examples of works that do not reflect that mindset, as in Osunde's novel--and others I hope to keep highlighting in this section of the newsletter.
You are getting such great responses to your work, Julie! It is rare for me in my own blogging to receive responses in-depth, and I am really appreciating you and yours.
Thanks very much, Beth! I really appreciate your thoughts (and I mean to go back and do a post from a question you asked a while ago on the Beast Screaming in My Head.) I think the newsletter is a great medium for this. I don't want to forsake my website, but the newsletter seems a better vehicle for discussion, especially since lately I am rarely on social media.
There's no either/or, just both/and. I love when readers give me ideas for new pieces, and you now have a mini-pile of them! Just shows you are onto something vital.
I really enjoyed your latest newsletter, Julianna. Food for thought!
It's true, there is a lack of activist characters in fiction concerning real life everyday people's lives that involves their activist work while living a life of struggle, servitude and survival; sharing our common experiences for a greater cause we activist live, support, eat and sleep is a noble cause.
Awesome article. Bravo!
Thanks, Debra! And efforts like recreating the life of Claudia Jones (and other amazing activists) in story, performance, film, and other forms of fiction contribute to filling this lack, showing folks what the activist life is actually like--challenging but also joyful and fun.
Certainly food for thought. Also, young adult or children's books/movies/shows would have to avoid "controversial" topics to prevent any challenge to the status quo. I can imagine my brother and his wife rolling their eyes if I found and sent such literature to their kids; they refuse to even discuss politics with me. Anyway, this is why I love good political thrillers - exploring unjust systems is a key part of the drama, though of course the focus is generally on individual (often white) heroes.
Also, I recall feeling unfulfilled, even as a youth or youth adult, after watching or reading about a story of an underdog who overcame adversity to "succeed" in the conventional sense. I recall often thinking - what about everyone they left behind? How is this one individual's triumph changing anything? What will they do with their newfound success? They call them "feel good" stories, but I often felt frustrated. Some of us are born with an innate sense of justice for all, despite the toxic individualism hammered into us by U.S. society.
Very true, Zephyr! Those are the folks I have in mind when I think about fiction centering activists and social movements rather than individual heroes. And the "feel good" result you mention generally has to do with restoring the status quo, not changing it.
I do think Grace Paley, activist all her life, and some of her short stories, including the one perhaps most anthologized, "A Conversation with My Father," subtly did this work while layering with another powerful level of conflict. What do you think?
Over a year late, but thanks, I really enjoyed this list of reasons activists are missing in fiction. Thanks especially for the Current Affairs article, which I'll read now. On a related, and somewhat taboo topic: I find Substack way to full of people writing about very individually focused topics, lots of random memoir-type reflections and no where near enough stuff on collectives. Really glad I find this newsletter and great to have you back writing regularly!
Thanks very much, Carrie! Yes indeed, we need much more thinking and writing about extricating ourselves from the individualism that entwines us in so many constricting ways. And thanks for the encouragement. I also enjoy your newsletter, which I just subscribed to. I like the way you link to your other work with Linktree. I will be following your example!
I just learned about Linktree a few weeks ago – very slow on digital developments!!
Having just published a book of what I consider activist fiction, I'm searching for what others have said.... to your point: not much. And a couple years have not changed that.