Seal has done a great many good things. They are one of the few remaining feminist identified publishers in the US. They’re no longer independent and are owned by a much larger publisher, but I think they are still capable of doing good things. Because of the things I’m about to mention about them it should be clear they are receiving a very special ass-whuppin’ over their editorial standards and how they are or could be construed to be racist.
First there was the debate about whether they are a good publisher for writers of color. The best starting point for looking at this discussion is probably the Salon article. Then follow links or use Google to find other related articles. There is objectionable language in the entire blogosphere discussion, especially since one of the catchphrases of the entire discussion is “f$&k Seal Press”
It turns out there is another interesting kerfuffle going on. Amanda Marcotte’s It’s a Jungle Out There was published by Seal with some really suggestive and objectionable imagery (white women and white men beating/killing brown savages) while talking about how to survive modern feminism with wits intact. I understand the text is largely helpful, fun, enjoyable, informative, while the images really rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. I looked at the particularly objectionable images in one edition of the book and was also offended. Offended, but not surprised.
Actually, compiling the links below, I am not entirely convinced Marcotte is completely innocent in this matter.
Some links:
- RadFem – comment in Feministe
- Feministe – I Guess it’s a Jungle in Here Too? (includes the particularly objectionable images)
- Amanda Marcotte – I’m Sorry
- Seal Press – A Public Apology
- Dear White Feminists, (Quit goddamn fucking up) – Update (many quotes from many different folks)
- There are other links and I hope you find them and find them interesting
Why, you ask, are people of color saying more about racism when it’s been around for ever? Why now?
My theory is that White Privilege and the assumption that everyone on the Internet is White is getting you white folks in the shit with those of us savages who happen also to be computer users and literate. We see what you are doing and saying, and we are also able to say so, articulate our rage, in places that you can see, sometimes even on your own blogs, and definitely where other media/computer savvy people will see the shit fly.
If you want a good reason why you should study and take seriously the discipline and art of anti-racism this is it. Seal should already have done this proactively and should not have waited to take anti-racism classes until now, until after getting called out about their editorial slip-ups.
I think I’ll just post this now as I am getting a bit inarticulate in my thoughts as the frustration and rage boil up.