British novelist leaps to diversity policy's defense

If you’re sick of hearing about Lionel Shriver’s diversity comments, you may want to hit the back button on your browser.

If you’re not — the latest salvo, in case you missed it, comes from another author who praised the same initiatives that Shriver criticized.

Hanif Kureishi, a novelist of English and Pakistani descent, called Penguin Random House’s new policy “wise and brave” in an article in The Guardian.

Kureishi also said the pushback against diversity comes out of fear from the white men who have traditionally dominated many industries.

“The truth is, the conservative fear of other voices is not due to the anxiety that artists from outside the mainstream will be untalented, filling up galleries and bookshops with sludge, but that they will be outstanding and brilliant,” he wrote.

You can read his column here.