Why is diversity important?

Over on tumblr, trickwriter asked:

Hello! My name is Sam, and I'm a huge fan of your books. I'm also doing an article for school newspaper on diversity in books, and I would love to have a quote from you in the piece. Why do you believe diversity in books is so important? Thank you!

My answer:

Hi Sam! I get this question a lot. A lot a lot a lot a lot. So much so that it makes me wonder: Do people really not know the answer to this question? Or are they not listening to the answers that have already been given, many many times by many different people? I don’t mean to pick on you — you’re not the first to ask me this question and you certainly won’t be the last.

So I’m going to answer this here again, and this is going to be the last time I answer this question for anyone. You can quote me. :)

Why is diversity in books important? Diversity is not important. Diversity is reality. Human beings are not all the same. We come from many different places and have many different identities and experiences. Having only one kind of human being in the stories being told is flat-out bad storytelling. Diversity is reality. Let’s stop erasing that.

P.S. I’m very glad you’ve enjoyed my books!