Originally Posted by Bostonian
take interest in stories whose main characters are not of their race and sex.
Yes! smile Some have called this the concept of "mirror books" and "window books"... intriguing imagery, I think.

The concept is examined in this blog from Dr. Joy Lawson Davis, crediting Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop with the concept of "mirror books" and "window books": Mirrors for reflecting one's own culture, and Windows for providing a glimpse into other cultures.