US publishing remains 'as white today as it was four years ago'
As the novel American Dirt is accused of cultural appropriation, a major survey finds publishers failing to reflect social diversity
As the controversial novel American Dirt raises questions about representation for US publishing, a survey has found that – despite efforts to diversify – the industry “is just as white today as it was four years ago”.
Multicultural children’s publisher Lee & Low Books last surveyed the sector in 2015, when it found that 79% of respondents identified as white. Four years on, after raising the number of responses to 7,893, it found that 76% were white.
Related: Publisher cancels Jeanine Cummins tour for American Dirt over safety fears
American Dirt happened because the veneer of progressivism remains valued far higher than the action of it
