Award-winning author Karen Tei Yamashita spoke at the 2009 New Student Convocation in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts. Yamashita read from her book, Tropic of Orange, the summer reading for entering first-year students.
Tropic of Orange has been described as a "satirical, semifantastical novel" about Los Angeles. The book follows the lives of seven characters from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds that make up the city's multicultural spectrum.
During the first week of class, students had the opportunity to discuss the various themes of the book with their professors and last night Yamashita held a Q&A with students. Responding to a question from a student in the audience, Yamashita spoke about her use of stereotypes to challenge preconceived ideas.
"There is a stereotype about Los Angeles that we are superficial, that we are a city of surfaces, a city of movie stars. We see ourselves constantly in film," said Yamashita, a native of Los Angeles. "I wanted to also say [yes] Los Angeles we are superficial, but also to contest that in a way."
