I’ve been pondering the subtle, yet powerful influences of perspective in literature and media, particularly what we often refer to as the ‘male gaze’ and a concept closely related to it – the ‘white gaze.’
The male gaze, as we know, is about how narratives often reflect a masculine point of view, especially in the portrayal of women. It shapes not just visual representation but also the narratives we tell and consume.
The ‘white gaze,’ on the other hand, centers on how white authors and audiences view and depict narratives, often positioning white experiences and perspectives as the norm. This gaze affects how stories of other ethnicities are told – if they are told at all – often leading to a skewed representation of these experiences.
What really spurred my thoughts on the ‘white gaze’ was a profound transcript from an interview with Toni Morrison. She eloquently discusses the expectations and assumptions placed upon writers, particularly regarding race. Morrison emphasizes that her work consciously resists the white gaze, which often marginalizes non-white narratives and experiences.
She mentions how African writers like Chinua Achebe and Bessie Head helped shape her understanding of the centrality of her race in her work. Morrison notes the liberation she felt in not having to cater to the white gaze, saying, “I’ve spent my entire writing life trying to make sure that the white gaze was not the dominant one in any of my books.” This stance wasn’t about who reads her books but about asserting her sovereignty and authority as a racialized person.
This brings us to a critical point in our discussion: How can we, as readers and writers, become more aware of these gazes – be it the male gaze or the white gaze – and work towards a literature that is inclusive and true to the diversity of human experiences?
Morrison’s reflection raises an important question about the expectation for minority writers to write about or for a white audience, subtly imposing a standard that isn’t equally expected from white authors. Her words suggest that breaking free from these imposed gazes is not just about broadening representation but about reclaiming narrative sovereignty.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you noticed these influences in your reading? How do you think writers and readers can contribute to a change in this dynamic?
by IJustType