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Lit in Colour: Boosting BAME Literature Amid Controversy

2/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Lit in Colour campaign, launched by Penguin and the Runnymede Trust, aims to diversify English literature through BAME authors.
It has raised the share of GCSE texts by BAME authors from 12% to 36%.
Critics say the emphasis on representation could eclipse literary merit, noting only 2% study a full-length BAME work.
The debate weighs reflecting demographics against preserving canonical literature and cultural heritage.

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Story summary

The Lit in Colour campaign, launched by Penguin and the Runnymede Trust, aims to diversify English literature through BAME authors.
It has raised the share of GCSE texts by BAME authors from 12% to 36%.
Critics say the emphasis on representation could eclipse literary merit, noting only 2% study a full-length BAME work.
The debate weighs reflecting demographics against preserving canonical literature and cultural heritage.