Arguing about the arts

Andrew Klavan, the novelist and screenwriter, wonders when and why the arts in America got more narrow-minded over the last few years, and why the stories told in books, movies and TV only uses a certain range of characters:

It’s not that I don’t enjoy the stories being told by American artists – I do. And I’m not suggesting that the arts should be traditionalist in intent. I just think they should be more – pardon the word – inclusive. Self-fulfilled housewives, conservative good guys, intelligent people of faith not only exist, they’re actually pretty thick on the ground, and I believe the American arts should accurately represent the full panoply of American life.

It’s a commonplace and a truth that there are many liberals in Hollywood, and I know for a fact that many in the New York literary establishment are left-wing as well. There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but it can have some unfortunate consequences.

People who associate only with the like-minded can sometimes forget that their opinions are just opinions, that their ideology is, in fact, an ideology and that good and reasonable people may disagree. As a result, alternative points of view may be demonized, and institutional intimidation and tacit censorship can begin to exclude opposing voices on the levels of both production and criticism.

To further illustrate his point, Klavan describes a moment of contention between himself and his editor over his newest book, SHOTGUN ALLEY:

When I submitted my latest novel, “Shotgun Alley,” my editor – seeking only my good – suggested I tone down one character’s nasty remarks about feminists. When I demurred, he pointed out that the book buyer for one of the major chains might order far fewer books because of it. I still declined, but I’m established and ornery. If I were just starting out, I would’ve had to be brave, which is much harder.

Although I’m not sure if I agree completely with Klavan’s overall argument, I do sympathize with the above story. But then, book buyers for major chains have a hell of a lot of clout, which is why, if said buyers “don’t get your book,” they won’t order it to be stocked in stores…