sensitivity reader
noun1
A person who reviews a manuscript and advises on any content that may be culturally problematic.
- Cultural appropriation is a difficult subject to navigate, because in literature appropriation is full of grey areas. Is the minority character a main or side character? Do they feel tokenistic? Is there a sensitivity reader available?2016 November 25, Neve Mahoney, “Question your motives when appropriating minority voices”, in Eureka Street:
- Her publisher, Harlequin Teen, sent the book out to two “sensitivity readers”, who vetted the manuscript for stereotypes, biases and problematic language.2018 April 27, Alison Flood, “Vetting for stereotypes: meet publishing's 'sensitivity readers'”, in The Guardian:
1 more example
- A white writer, prominent in New York, warned me that my publisher now demanded “at least three sensitivity readers” and that I would not “be allowed” to object to anything these readers wanted to change or delete.2022 October 24, Eve Fairbanks, “Why Wasn’t I Canceled?”, in The Atlantic: