Everybody Deserves To Be a Hero: an Interview with Dr. Sayantani Dasgupta
by Ela Mody
Have you ever related to a character in a book? Have you ever read a book with a character who shares your ethnicity, race, sexuality, etc? This is what representation in literature is. Seeing diversity and inclusivity in books. Representation and diversity in literature is something that isn’t talked about often but is more important than many may think. I was able to interview a powerful woman named Sayantani Dasgupta. She is a doctor, author, scholar, teacher, and an activist for diverse literature. I interviewed her because she has written a fantasy fiction series titled Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond. This book series is aimed at young teens and consists of 3 books (the 3rd one will come out in March). This book series is about a young South Asian girl from New Jersey who learns she is an Indian Princess, becomes a dragon slayer, has magical adventures, and is a hero who must save the world. Growing up as a South Asian girl, Dr. Dasgupta never read books that highlighted anyone who looked like her and never saw a hero like her. When I asked her why she wrote this series she said, “A big part of why I wrote this series is because I didn’t want my own kids or any other kids to have that terrible feeling that somebody like you isn’t worthy to be a hero.”
When talking about why representation is important, Dr. Dasgupta cited Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, who wrote an article titled Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors. Dr. Dasgupta explained the article and the functions of the mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors in regards to representation in literature. The mirror idea is to see yourself reflected. Many children do not know that characters like them could exist in literature because they’ve never seen it. Dr. Dasgupta said, “For kids of color or marginalized kids to take their place in and feel confident taking their place, they have to have seen themselves represented.” The window idea is to look into someone else’s world and the sliding glass door idea is to imaginatively enter into someone else’s world. If kids only ever see themselves represented and only see heroes who look like them, they will assume that them always being centered is normal and natural. Then in the real world when they see something unfamiliar or something that isn’t confirmed by the books they’ve read, they feel like they’re being oppressed. “All the representation they’ve seen their whole life tells them that only they should be centered and the hero.” Representation in literature builds imagination and gives us the ability to, “extend empathy and humanity to other people who are not like us.” Dr. Dasgupta wonders, “Are they [kids] able to imagine a black woman as president? Can they imagine a world without racism or sexism?”
Another question I asked Dr. Dasgupta was regarding the writing and publishing process. I asked if she faced pushback or difficulties in getting people to support this book. She said, “I got a lot of pushback.” People wanted Dr. Dasgupta to write typical story about a girl in conflict with her strict conservative Indian parents which is, “a story that would reinforce their cultural stereotypes.” But Dasgupta wasn’t interested in that, she was interested in writing a thrilling fantasy where the protagonist is not in cultural conflict.
The last question I asked Dr. Dasgupta was about the reactions she has received from her readers. She told me that she has seen excitement from readers when they recognize aspects of the book that are similar in their own lives. When they see their culture in the book or they see a food they eat. Dasgupta also really enjoys seeing kids who don’t look like the protagonist excited about the book. When they are hooked by the adventure or inspired to learn about South Asia. The reactions show the power of diversity and representation in books. It shows that people want more diversity and representation; it positively impacts everyone.
I am a young South Asian woman. I scarcely see my culture and brown skin represented in literature. I have never read a book with a South Asian hero until I found Dr. Dasgupta’s book series. I saw the cover and the girl on the cover. I saw that she had long black hair and brown skin and mehendi (henna) on her skin. It made me feel beautiful and strong. Maybe you haven’t been personally affected by representation or maybe you have. But I firmly believe that a hero in literature that you can relate to is more important than we might think.To show that you can be your own hero in your own life. And though Dasgupta and I never grew up with a hero like us, the industry is changing. Authors of color are helping/supporting other authors of color. And those authors of color are having great success. If you’ve never seen your culture represented maybe think about sharing you story and creating a book starring a hero like you.
““For kids of color or marginalized kids to take their place in and feel confident taking their place, they have to have seen themselves represented.””