The Classic Literature Drama is Troubling
And you might not like what I have to say about it.
There’s some drama on BookTok with a particular creator because of something she said.
“Wow, you refuse to read classic literature.”
The comment comes from her displeasure with the majority of BookTok recommendations of titles centering around enemies-to-lovers storylines and sexually graphic content.
I do not agree with her opinion, but there has to be room for misunderstanding as there are only so many follow-up videos one can post to clarify sentiments in under 3 minutes. And while it is not difficult to find out who this creator is, I do not wish to give their user handle as a personal choice on my end.
I decided to toss my perspective into the conversation but not as someone who has an English degree, is the daughter of an English teacher, works in publishing, or as a writer and an editor. What I want to discuss is what is going on outside of the details of the conversation and disagreement.
When I came home today after visiting the DMV, it dawned on me what is actually troubling me about the situation: there is an attitude of expectation in holding this individual “accountable” for her opinions. And at the end of the day, her opinions about reading and academia and what standard to hold others when it comes to intelligent book consumption is of no consequence to me or anyone creating content in response.
Someone commented on one of the TikToks I posted as I pointed out my disturbance:
I get where you’re coming from but like she came for an entire community from a very judgemental view for something that should be joyful…And then when called out on it she doubled down.. does she deserve to be bullied? No absolutely not however sitting here being like … “hmm I’m better [than] you because you only read romance books’” like that’s just not it.
One of the things that stuck out to me about this comment is “she came for an entire community.” To be more than fair, this is an individual upsetting a multitude of individuals within a community, and then that community more or less collectively responding back. And let’s not forget the pedestrians and passersby of the drama chiming in as well.
I’m not defending her judgemental statement, and I shouldn’t have to say that to make my argument either.
Why is it okay to pile on an individual when we disagree on something? What outcome are we hoping for? Where is the productive discussion? Is there not more appropriate things to be offended by?
What I am coming to terms with here in this situation is the double standard. And I understand where the responses are coming from—we want to defend the parts of ourselves that relate to the thing being attacked. But I don’t think the folks picking this individual a part has really thought about that.
It is uncomfortable to consider—or even realize—you are not exempt from being an asshole online no matter how right you think you are.
Myself included.
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