Workplace Racism Survey
People of Color in Publishing and Latinx in Publishing are both grassroots organizations founded with the shared goal of uplifting racially marginalized people in publishing. In July of 2018, we conducted an anonymous survey gauging the extent to which BIPOC book publishing employees experienced racism in the workplace. The survey was open to any professional currently or previously employed by a book publisher in the U.S.
The survey included a range of questions that allowed us to collect information about the breadth and depth of microaggressions and racism that BIPOC experience in the workplace, and the impact this has on our work. Participants were instructed not to disclose names of people or companies. It is not our intention to call out any particular parties, but rather to amplify the dialogue about how the industry needs to take immediate action to become anti-racist.
We received over 200 submissions and more than 50,000 words in written responses from professionals who had worked in various departments at publishing houses, including indie presses and the Big 5.
All participants were asked whether they had experienced racism or microaggressions in publishing, but we did not define either of those terms. 16% of participants said they did not feel they had experienced racism or microaggressions in publishing, but when we reviewed their responses to other questions, we found that every single participant shared a specific experience of racism.
Racism is so socially normalized that, in some forms, it is not recognized as racism. Many participants prefaced their statements with a variation of "not sure if this counts" or "not sure if I'm being oversensitive.” A word to our participants and fellow BIPOC colleagues: Your words count. You are not being oversensitive. You are not alone.
To our white colleagues: read these words attentively and share them widely. We ask that you do not approach any of your BIPOC colleagues to discuss this information, but instead call on your white colleagues. We have included an Actionable Takeaways and Resources section and recommend creating your own living list as well, as you know your own role and areas of influence best. Dismantling racism in publishing requires continuous self-education and anti-racist attention and action. This survey focused on workplace culture at publishing companies in the U.S., but we acknowledge that these issues needs to be addressed in other parts of the book industry, including at literary agencies, review journals, bookstores, and libraries, and within the author and illustrator community around the world.
Read the full survey results below and download a PDF here.
