A behind-the-scenes look at and inside scoop on PROOF OF EXISTENCE, Book Two of the Existence series.
📚 Proof of Existence - Publication April 4, 2023
Trigger warning: Content about prejudice and racism
Excerpt from Proof of Existence by @JLenniDorner
Bikinis (and Brazil Nuts) -- A conversation
Bikinis for Eskimos is a fictional band mentioned in both Fractions of Existence and Proof of Existence.
😲😕 Wait a minute, isn't that word forbidden now?
It was never okay to use that word. But, as usual, it crept into acceptable vocabulary by racists in high places.
Are you allowed to use it because you're a Native American?
No. And lumping hundreds of tribes into one culture isn't acceptable, either.
So why is it in the books?
In Proof of Existence, it's explained that the band is using it to raise awareness that the word is not only wrong, but it's stupid to use. They use satirical lyrics to make their point.
(The author hears people using the word all the time. This is a way to fight back and raise awareness.)
(The author hears people using the word all the time. This is a way to fight back and raise awareness.)
Fair enough. But hey, are we still allowed to use the word when talking about the kisses?
Hey look, Brazil Nuts! They're really tasty. But racists famously called them by another name.
It's not okay to ask for "N-word toes."
So, no, it's not okay to say "E-word kisses."
Nose-rubbing kisses. Affectionate nose rubs. 👃💋👃
Or maybe check out a different culture! "The hongi is the Mãori welcome, expressed by the rubbing or touching of noses."
QUESTION — Did you know that it is no longer socially acceptable to use the E-word? 
💻📚🛒📦😃📖
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com
Whether some words can be used or not? An author's dilemma? Rationalization.
ReplyDelete#AtoZChallenge - Second Post. Books on Industrial Engineering - A Collection.
https://nraoiekc.blogspot.com/2023/04/books-on-industrial-engineering.html
#AtoZChallenge 2023 Theme: A to Z of Industrial Engineering
https://nraoiekc.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-to-z-of-industrial-engineering.html
I did know that it is politically incorrect to use the E-word! The whole area of what you can write, even when it is in a historic context is fraught now as is the cultural appropriation issue. I think though, that if your intent is to expose the abuses of the past, with irony - as in this exert, that is great and as for cultural appropriation, if we all only wrote about what we know then there would only be autobiographies. I didn't realise that you were Native American but have now read your About Me properly...
ReplyDeletePut half the name of my tribe right here in my own name. The Lenni-Lenape people. (Nearly everyone says Lenape wrong. They do usually get Lenni right though.)
DeleteYes and I did wonder why you used it in the book until I saw the bigger picture of what they were doing :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for B:
My Languishing TBR: B
Birds of Faerie
It was SO HARD to not get that explanation out in book 1. But it didn't mesh with that gift exchange scene. Romantic tension, holidays, and... explaining a band fighting racism. Plus, it meant more having Jun explain it, as opposed to Xavier.
DeleteI did know, but I don't think it's widely known. I'm looking forward to more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteKai
Yesterday's A-Z posts from me:
Kaiberie.com - A is for All together Now
Kaiberie.com - A is for All my posts for the A-Z
BooksbyKai.com - A is for All my books
BooksbyKai.com - A is for Acknowledgements
Quadruple A to Z??? 🤯
DeleteI did know, but it's discouraging that many people don't. It's as if there is this entire other layer of padding protecting the core of racism that needs to be blown away first. Sigh. But kudos to all efforts to address the issues and get folks to consider it - and your book platform is perfect.
ReplyDeleteChipping away, bit by bit.
DeleteYes. I did know. I am also in the process of re-editing an older book of mine to remove a similar word for Romani people. I figure I best just do it with an admission I didn't know then but do know now.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing what you do all month long.
--
Tim Brannan, The A to Z of Doctor Who
Assuming you mean the "g" word, that still screws with me. I met a troupe/ caravan/ group of people when I was very, very young, and they called themselves by that name. Maybe it was because I was so very young and they thought maybe I'd know that word instead of another. (I hadn't heard either yet, actually.) I don't know.
DeleteBut it's always good when an author takes responsibility to improve their own. For whatever it's worth, I applaud you making the effort to improve the literature you'll leave behind for generations to come.
The area I live in, half the people are very "modern liberal," and half are very "old-school confederate racists." I heard the Brazil nut terms many times. But the WORST 😨💔, imho, was when I overheard a child in a market ask his dad, "Why does the sign say Brazil nuts? Is that where the 'N' s live that they use for toe cuttings?" And the dad laughed and said yeah. Pride, not an ounce of shame, and spreading it joyfully.
ReplyDeleteI love that the band uses it to raise awareness and teach.
ReplyDeleteI wish they were more "real." Alas, this is the best I can do.
DeleteI think I've been told, but it hadn't stuck before. I think the no-E will stick now, more importantly affectionate nose kisses will have the right name ... not the first time, it's gonna take a while for the hongi to stick, but I now know that it is out there so it will come eventually. (erinpenn.com)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, that's what matters. Pausing, making the effort to course correct. Making the decision to start on a better path. That's the first big step. 👏🏽🎉
DeleteYes, I did know the E-word is not acceptable. My impression was that Inuit was preferable and had replaced the E-word several years ago, I'm a little taken aback that it is still being used. Thank you for highlighting issues around racism and prejudice. So much hate in the world, humans have so much to undo and unlearn!
ReplyDeleteAll the very best for the A-Z. Thank you for all you do for the Challenge too.
I didn’t know this, thanks for the heads up. It’s great that you’re raising awareness about it, little by little the people is changing, although racism is still a big issue here, too. 🐮🦄
ReplyDeleteVisiting from: https://steampunkcowunicorn.wordpress.com/2023/04/09/b-is-for-bucolic/