American Dirt: As told by an outsider
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Jeanine Cummin - Author
One of the first things people scrutinized was not the book, but the author. With such a complex subject matter many people feel that someone with a personal connection would be better suited to write about the immigrant experience.
Many people are calling it cultural appropriation since Cummins identifies as mostly white. But while criticism of her ethnic background was being questioned she acknowledged that she has a Puerto Rican grandmother. This was her way of legitimizing her closeness to the subject matter although being Puerto Rican and Mexican are two very different things.
Oprah's Book Club
A large part of the controversy seems to stem from the endorsement that the book received from Oprah Winfrey. Her book club started as a segment on her network show in 1996 and has continued to grow and evolve over the years.
Since announcing that American Dirt was the next book club book, Twitter and the Latinx literary community was up in arms. People were quick to point out their wavering trust in Oprah for approving and promoting this book on her platform.
Intention vs Impact
Although the book's intention is to shed light on the immigration crisis in the United States, the writing and the overall message of the book misses the mark - actually, all the marks.
Medium.com cites a quote from author Daniel Peña who talks about the book being "lab-created brown trauma built for the white gaze and white book clubs to give a textural experience to people who need to feel something to avoid doing anything and from the safety of their chair.”
In another incident, to celebrate the launch of her book, Cummins got a barbed wire manicure that matched the cover of her book which didn't go over well with many people. It was seen as insensitive. Not to mention that there were barbed wire centerpieces at her launch party.
But wait there's more, the publisher's thought it would be a good idea to mention that "Cummins is married to an undocumented immigrant but that he is from Ireland".The publisher also published a statement at the beginning of all the controversy saying that they were surprised at the backlash and then proceeded to cancel the book tour amid "death threats".
This controversy is ongoing and people are waiting on the conversation with Oprah that is set to premiere on Apple TV later this year.
Many people are calling it cultural appropriation since Cummins identifies as mostly white. But while criticism of her ethnic background was being questioned she acknowledged that she has a Puerto Rican grandmother. This was her way of legitimizing her closeness to the subject matter although being Puerto Rican and Mexican are two very different things.
Our next book club selection is “American Dirt” by @jeaninecummins. It’s a heart-wrenching page-turner, and you won’t be able to put it down.— Oprah's Book Club (@oprahsbookclub) January 21, 2020
Download your copy on @applebooks and #ReadWithUs: https://t.co/w62380H4Lz #AmericanDirt@Flatironbooks @Oprah pic.twitter.com/v6K23tEyPM
A large part of the controversy seems to stem from the endorsement that the book received from Oprah Winfrey. Her book club started as a segment on her network show in 1996 and has continued to grow and evolve over the years.
Since announcing that American Dirt was the next book club book, Twitter and the Latinx literary community was up in arms. People were quick to point out their wavering trust in Oprah for approving and promoting this book on her platform.
ONCE AGAIN @CBSThisMorning gave @Oprah Time to talk about #AmericanDirt controversy & had no #Latinx to address the issue. Why not invite @DavidOBowles @BermudezWrites @TheTinaVasquez @lesbrains @isanchezprado? Why can't our side be heard Prez @szirinsky & @ViacomCBS? pic.twitter.com/5PtqmDutGs— Wise Latinas Linked (@wiselatinaslink) February 7, 2020
I respect Oprah, but I'm deeply disappointed with where she's taking this conversation. I don't believe she's sincerely stopped to listen to the Latino community about why #AmericanDirt -- its characters, scenes, descriptions, massive industry support -- are so destructive— Esmeralda Bermudez (@BermudezWrites) February 7, 2020
Although the book's intention is to shed light on the immigration crisis in the United States, the writing and the overall message of the book misses the mark - actually, all the marks.
Medium.com cites a quote from author Daniel Peña who talks about the book being "lab-created brown trauma built for the white gaze and white book clubs to give a textural experience to people who need to feel something to avoid doing anything and from the safety of their chair.”
In another incident, to celebrate the launch of her book, Cummins got a barbed wire manicure that matched the cover of her book which didn't go over well with many people. It was seen as insensitive. Not to mention that there were barbed wire centerpieces at her launch party.
At an #AmericaDirt party, guests dined while BARBED WIRE CENTER PIECES adorned the tables. You know, to evoke border chic. 👇🏽— Myriam Chingona Gurba de Serrano (@lesbrains) January 22, 2020
But wait there's more, the publisher's thought it would be a good idea to mention that "Cummins is married to an undocumented immigrant but that he is from Ireland".The publisher also published a statement at the beginning of all the controversy saying that they were surprised at the backlash and then proceeded to cancel the book tour amid "death threats".
This controversy is ongoing and people are waiting on the conversation with Oprah that is set to premiere on Apple TV later this year.
