Tuesday Tangents' host Florinda of The 3 R's Blog makes it mighty convenient for those of us who aren't posting our tangents on Tuesday with her extra buttons.
A coworker recently told me that I am the kind of person who does the right thing even when it isn't the most practical. I don't know how to take that.
It's now official. Anya has a rare autoimmune disorder called Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA).
The blood transfusion and medication seem to be working. Anya's red blood cell count is up although she isn't out of the woods yet. We have been warned that it will be a long road to recovery and that relapses are not uncommon.
I have not been feeling very sociable (or articulate) lately, and although I have been keeping up with my Google Reader, I haven't been leaving any comments. I feel terrible about that. So many of you have taken the time to stop in and say hello. I can't tell you how much that means to me, especially right now. I do hope to return the favor soon.
I have been following the discussion about whitewashing in the publishing sector with great interest. Twice now a publisher has been called to task for publishing books featuring light skinned people on the cover when, in fact, the books are about people of color. This is a pervasive problem that is not limited to just the one publisher, however. Why is this a big deal when covers don't always "fit" with the actual contents of the book? It is not only discriminatory but it has a harmful effect on our society, in particular our young people. Young people benefit from reading books about and by people they can identify with, be it race, culture, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. What kind of message does it send to a child when the cover of a book about a person of color portrays a white person?
There's also the other side of it. We all benefit from learning and reading about those who are in some way different from us. The research study about readers being more empathetic and compassionate comes to mind. But in order to reach that point, readers have to read about other cultures and such. Whitewashing book covers defeats that very purpose. Sure, we can look beyond the cover and into the book to see the book's heart, but that message is still there. White is more acceptable. White sells and, therefore, white is better. Hogwash!
Susan of Color Online and Terri of BrownGirl Speaks have set up a group called Readers Against WhiteWashing to not only promote awareness of whitewashing in the publishing industry but also a call to action to fight against it.
If you have not already, do drop by and read My Friend Amy's post On Being Offended, where she opens her own discussion on the topic.
A coworker recently told me that I am the kind of person who does the right thing even when it isn't the most practical. I don't know how to take that.
It's now official. Anya has a rare autoimmune disorder called Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA).
The blood transfusion and medication seem to be working. Anya's red blood cell count is up although she isn't out of the woods yet. We have been warned that it will be a long road to recovery and that relapses are not uncommon.
I have not been feeling very sociable (or articulate) lately, and although I have been keeping up with my Google Reader, I haven't been leaving any comments. I feel terrible about that. So many of you have taken the time to stop in and say hello. I can't tell you how much that means to me, especially right now. I do hope to return the favor soon.
I have been following the discussion about whitewashing in the publishing sector with great interest. Twice now a publisher has been called to task for publishing books featuring light skinned people on the cover when, in fact, the books are about people of color. This is a pervasive problem that is not limited to just the one publisher, however. Why is this a big deal when covers don't always "fit" with the actual contents of the book? It is not only discriminatory but it has a harmful effect on our society, in particular our young people. Young people benefit from reading books about and by people they can identify with, be it race, culture, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. What kind of message does it send to a child when the cover of a book about a person of color portrays a white person?
There's also the other side of it. We all benefit from learning and reading about those who are in some way different from us. The research study about readers being more empathetic and compassionate comes to mind. But in order to reach that point, readers have to read about other cultures and such. Whitewashing book covers defeats that very purpose. Sure, we can look beyond the cover and into the book to see the book's heart, but that message is still there. White is more acceptable. White sells and, therefore, white is better. Hogwash!
Susan of Color Online and Terri of BrownGirl Speaks have set up a group called Readers Against WhiteWashing to not only promote awareness of whitewashing in the publishing industry but also a call to action to fight against it.
If you have not already, do drop by and read My Friend Amy's post On Being Offended, where she opens her own discussion on the topic.
In a recent discussion with my husband, he directed me to Border House where Tami, aka Cuppycake, offers her thoughts on the social obligation of game designers in regards to similar issues.
Because this is a random thoughts post: My husband and I are switching internet providers this weekend. Wish us luck and minimal problems.
Author Misa Ramirez is scheduled to make a guest appearance here tomorrow as part of her BronzeWord Latino Book Tour. She is the author of the Latina mystery series featuring Lola Cruz. She will be stopping by and answering any questions you might have for her. Be sure to drop in to say hi!
© 2009, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I wish you the best with Anya and I'll keep all of you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeletecjh
I've been worrying about your kitty. Because worrying is what I do best! I've never even heard of this disease that she has, but you have to do what is necessary. Our kitten recently snapped his femur ball joint off into the socket and had to have major surgery. What can you do? You love them. I will pray that Anya battles whatever this is and gets better!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear Anya is so poorly. I hope she recovers soon.
ReplyDeleteSending get well wishes Anya's way, and a big (HUG) to you.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I am glad that you finally have a definitive diagnosis for Anya - as sometimes I think not knowing is worse than anything. I hope that this long road to recovery is not a difficult one - and Anya does not experience any relapses.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about commenting on our blogs - we know what you are going through and want you to take care of yourself.
I'm sure it's a relief to have a diagnosis for Anya - now you can deal with it effectively, relapses and all.
ReplyDeleteIf someone told me I do the right thing even if it's not practical, I would take it as a compliment.
Great rambles for Thursday! I hope that you continue to read even if you don't comment and I hope that all is well or getting better for you!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Anya. Sending hugs for both of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates, Wendy. I'm glad you know what you're dealing with with Anya now - I think it always helps to know what you're up against. I hope she continues to make good progress on her recovery. I've been thinking about you and Anya this week.
ReplyDeleteI didn't post any Tangents of my own this week. I needed a few days of non-blogging. I'll be posting the full story next Monday, but we've been going through our own pet crisis. (I mentioned it briefly in my Sunday Salon post.)
Good luck with the Internet-provider switch - hopefully you won't be out of commission for too long!
Word verification: "tohyphr." "Too hyper?" Not lately :-).
Thinking good thoughts for Anya. Also, I would take what your co-worker said as a compliment :)
ReplyDeleteWendy, I'm so sorry about Anya. I will be praying that she recovers and does well. It's completely understandable that you don't feel sociable. You're worried about your baby and that's where your focus is and should be. We'll all be here when things are better and you're back. Hugs to Anya and you.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and wishes are with you and Anya. I hope her recovery continues - smoothly!!
ReplyDeleteAs for your coworkers comment, I'd take it as a compliment. Sometimes it's more "practical" to take a short cut or to fudge something. But you do the right thing. That's a good thing!
Thank you for the update on Anya. I am praying for her and hope that she will respond well to treatment and not have any relapses. Our pets are our family so I know it is stressful when they are ill just as when a human family member is ill. Thank you for your thoughtful commentary on the whole "whitewashing" controversy. This is something that I was not aware of until very recently. I am paying close attention to my book covers from now on! If we don't complain, they don't have to change these practices!
ReplyDeleteI hope your kitty continues to get well!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about Anya, Wendy! You and Anya will be in my thoughts. I hope she recovers quickly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Anya update! Hope she feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteCJ - Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteSandy - You and me both--the queen worriers. ;-) PRCA is really rare. From my research, it seems to be most often associated with Feline Leukemia, but fortunately Anya doesn't have that. Thank you for your prayers. I know some people think I'm crazy for going through all the trouble I do for my animals, but I love them and I'd do just about anything for them, you know?
I'm so sorry for your kitten! Oh my that must hurt! Poor little one. I will keep him in my prayers.
Mariel - Thank you, Mariel!
Anna - Thanks so much, Anna.
Molly - Oh yes. I'm glad we finally have an answer. Like you said, not knowing is so much worse. Now we can move forward and do what we can to fight this thing.
I appreciate your understanding. I feel terrible about not commenting even though I know I shouldn't.
Kathy - It is a relief. I don't feel quite so helpless anymore.
Serena - Thanks! Blog reading's been a good distraction even if I'm not up to commenting.
I am reading a novel too, although probably not the best book for the circumstances. LOL I'm too stubborn to pick something up that might be more fitting--something light and funny to comfort me.
Suzi - Thank you, Suzi. I truly appreciate it.
Florinda - Thank you, Florinda. Just finding out what was wrong was half the battle. Now it's just a matter of treating the problem.
ReplyDeleteI did read your Sunday Salon post and I composed several e-mails to you but deleted them. My heart is broken for you, Florinda. I know how hard a decision that must have been. We love them so much and they fill our lives with such joy. I'm sending you lots of big hugs.
Ti - Thank you, Ti. On both counts. :-)
Dar - Thank you, Dar. I know you've been through so much recently yourself. I appreciate the prayers and good thoughts.
I owe you an e-mail and will get to that soon.
Clea - Thank you! The scary part is behind us hopefully and now we can concentrate on getting her better. :-)
I like your way of thinking regarding the "practical" versus doing the right thing. I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right.
Kathleen - Thank you, Kathleen. Your prayers mean a lot. Anya came to us when she was only six weeks old and so I've seen her grow so much in the past year and a half. It would be devastating if anything happened to my older two animals, but she's still so young. I'm hopeful she will continue to improve.
I am paying closer attention to my book covers too. Hopefully others will too so that publishers will get the message.
Staci - Thanks so much, Staci!
Melody - Thank you, Melody. I'm hoping that she'll recover quickly too--and then stay well!
Stacy - I hope so too. She's been more like her old self lately, which is good.
I'm so sorry to hear about Anya - I'm sending lots of good thoughts and energy your way and hers. It's so hard when our babies are that sick.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Blogger Purrfection Award I've passed on to you will cheer you up a bit :-)
http://consciouscat.net/2010/01/28/blogger-purrfection-award/
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy Anya has more good days than bad. We all hate to see our furry friends ill :)
Hope your spirits improve too!
Poor Anya. So sorry to hear that. But as others have said, at least she has a diagnosis so you can hopefully successfully treat the problem.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and Anya...I hope she's feeling better!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Anya's condition. I hope she'll recover soon. I'm sending lots of hugs and prayers to you and Anya! {{HUGS}}
ReplyDeleteIngrid - Thank you, Ingrid. Anya and I appreciate it. She had that little flick of her head and bounce when she turned to run yesterday that I just find so adorable(you have to see it, I guess). She hasn't done that since before she got sick. We just switched her over to one pill a day, and I hope she'll continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the award! It definitely did cheer me up. :-)
Diane - Thank you. It is hard. I feel so helpless most of the time. I don't like to see anyone suffer, especially such a wonderful kitty.
Lenore - Thanks. Knowing what's wrong does take a bit of the load off. Now we can concentrate on getting her well.
Jill (Softdrink) - Thank you!
Alice - Thanks, Alice!