Insider/Outsider Debate

"We can only draw with authenticity upon emotions we've known and tasted", Dorris states in the article "Native Americans in Children's Literature". This quote represents how important it is to be an insider when writing a book based on sterotypes or a particular ethnicity, religion and race. As a reader I feel an author that is considered an insider of that particular group has the life experience to truly capture what is trying to be said. These insiders would be "less likely to portray Natives as heroic or mystical individuals" (Reese, 159). However, the most important issue is being accurate about everything written. So whose to say an outsider does not know just as much as in insider? Being raised in a Jewish household I have plenty of knowledge about the religion. My friend Danny however, was raised Catholic and has chosen to study Judiasm for the past three years studying hebrew and the Torah. I am the insider, He is the outsider yet I would feel more comfortable about him writing a book based on the religion than me. I feel its important to be an insder because the writing is more authentic but accuracy is what I would look for. Both an Insider or Outsider can get the job done!