tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post6489954529772583420..comments2024-03-23T12:38:46.260+00:00Comments on The History Girls: Holes in History, by Gillian PolackMary Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-53344272073050216732018-02-03T21:00:07.724+00:002018-02-03T21:00:07.724+00:00It's like learning a language. When you're...It's like learning a language. When you're listening to others talking and looking at the shelves of book in that language, it's intimidating. In the early stages of learning it feels like hard work and "I'll never get this." One day the penny drops and you 'get' the language and can use it comfortably. It's till work but then research and writing are also work.<br /><br />Your second problem is (culturally) a straw man. Very, very few writers have been accused of these things. News focuses on these few, so those who are newly-aware of the issues get jumpy and say "I can't do this. It's not fair." <br /><br />This particular straw man is used a lot as an excuse to keep hating (by bigots) so when someone non-bigoted uses it, they look like a bigot even when they're absolutely not one. <br /><br />It's far safer for a writer's reputation to do the work and understand than to use that particular argument to sidestep. Like so much else, however, each writer gets to make their own decision on these things. Academics who study these subjects and critics who write about books will note those decisions. That's how our system works.Gillian Polackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07113321985223288302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-81085328334564749632018-02-03T16:44:15.287+00:002018-02-03T16:44:15.287+00:00An interesting subject. The problem is however, fi...An interesting subject. The problem is however, firstly, as you say, we are always reinterpreting history, so what is considered correct today may be found to be inaccurate tomorrow. I think the second problem for authors is that unless they show anybody except a white male as anything other than nice or a victim, they are likely to be accused of misogyny, racism, etc. And if I were an author I would be wary of including other cultures in my book, because if I get any of the details wrong, it may cause offence. All the points you have raised are very valid, but it does seem a bit of a minefield. Michelle Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07499490029910905577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-28166735632901997782018-02-03T04:20:57.824+00:002018-02-03T04:20:57.824+00:00They've already indicated interest. The questi...They've already indicated interest. The question is the subject. If there's one of my subjects you want to do, then suggest it. Seriously. otherwise we might think that an entirely different subject is the best for a short convention workshop.Gillian Polackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07113321985223288302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-3079330616551467552018-02-03T01:28:20.634+00:002018-02-03T01:28:20.634+00:00I don’t think. Ontinuum will have any problems. Th...I don’t think. Ontinuum will have any problems. They should be starting to ask for panel suggestions soon. Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-80320465272227452922018-02-03T01:25:58.433+00:002018-02-03T01:25:58.433+00:00Thanks :). Persuade Continuum, for I've done w...Thanks :). Persuade Continuum, for I've done workshops in Melbourne for them before.<br /><br />I'm technically on the Victorian Writers' Centre list to run courses, but they always apologise for never getting back to me when I ask what they think of the proposals.Gillian Polackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07113321985223288302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-79094712439418300132018-02-02T21:36:42.723+00:002018-02-02T21:36:42.723+00:00Oh, dear, a spam comment! A truly weird one!
Nic...Oh, dear, a spam comment! A truly weird one! <br /><br />Nice post, Gillian... even the music for Fagin is Eastern European - just listen to “I’m Reviewing The Situation.” I can’t see how else an actor can interpret the role. Blame Lionel Bart. ;) Not everyone knows about Ikey Solomon.<br /><br />You know, I wouldn’t mind attending some of your classes if I could get some time to live in Canberra. Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.com