"Are mainstream storybooks too white?" that was the topic up for discussion, and it asked whether storytelling needed to be filtered through the lens of race, or should curriculums adapt to more inclusive literature?.
The debate was broadcasted live from the BBC Tent, and involved audience participation and caller interaction. The panel was hosted by presenter Qasa Alom (pictured) and Jafar Iqbal, a writer from Cardiff. Iqbal, who was for the motion, said that young people actively seek out representation while picking up books. However a member of the audience disagreed and said, “storytelling, especially storytelling for children, is about archetypes and not about race.”
The conversation developed further to discuss themes concerning aspiring writers and the hurdles they need to overcome to reach an audience. The listeners learned about multiple ways of putting their content out and how books were not the only way of telling stories. Creative platforms like podcasts, open mics and self-publishing were discussed as an alternative for up-and-coming storytellers and were weighed against traditional models of publishing.