I get frustrated when people conflate yes/well executed/not problematic or no/poorly executed/problematic into lump categories, or respond to me as if I have done so. I like having conversations that dig deep into ways in which books are problematic and ways in which they are empowering. I learn so much from these conversations. And when I read criticism or critique of something I love–it actually doesn’t ruin it for me. It makes me grateful that I have the chance to learn something new.
Allie Jane Bruce, A Deep Conversation on Binary Thinking, from Reading While White
This really resonated with me as something that is applicable to fandom at large, not just librarians and book fandom. For my own part, at least, it still takes conscious effort to resist the knee-jerk urge to defend my faves or to lock things away in the problem attic. I hope to get better at this, both professionally and in fandom.
