Fiction is a reflection of the reality in which it was produced. It can be used as a mirror to see the problems in a culture and question our values? So we tolerate sexism? Do we celebrate violence?
However, its important to remember it’s just a mirror. It’s not the source of the problems you see in real life.
Focusing on censoring fiction is like a dog attacking it’s reflection. It has no effect on the world outside the reflection.
Instead, through criticism and critical thought, you can use the mirror to examine the world you live in and then turn yourself to making changes in society.
Fiction can reflect and reenforce existing harmful norms and it is only by critcially examine how these things harmful norms are presented that we can begin to question the norms themselves.
Fiction can also challenge existing norms, showing us not a reflection of the world that is but of what it could be, and thus make us question why our world isn’t like what we see in the mirror.
Fiction can help us be more aware of our reality, but it is always truth that makes the biggest impact.
It is dangerious to use fiction as a guide. 101 Dalmatians is not ‘What dog is right for you’. 50 Shades is Grey is not ‘BDSM and healthy relationships 101’.
Fiction can be harmful when used as a guide and it can reenforce harmful norms. The answer to this problem is truth: education.
Removing fiction from existence does not remove societies problems. Educating people and criticizing media and being aware of societies problems is a step in the right direction.
This is why we need to be really careful with death of the author.
On the one hand, if you legitimately can’t tell whether a work is endorsing or critiquing isms, then sure, maybe the author needs to develop more skill.
But on the other hand, if the author has a tumblr or a Twitter or whatever, you could, you know, take a minute of your time to ask and leave the callout in your drafts until after you get your answer.
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