As a disclaimer, I have no problem with being compassionate about people's problems. The world needs so much more compassion these days. That being said, it really sucks when I, as a writer, find myself worried because I decided to include a black character in my latest project. She is not a token character, she is not my way of making sure I have a character that represents minorities. She is a character. Who happens to be black. I didn't even plan it like that, she just ended up telling me, "Oh hey, this is what I look like!" and I was like, "Oh, hey, that's great! Thanks!" (Yes I talk to my characters. And they talk back. Whoever said writers are sane?)
However, since creating this character, I have been plagued by worries. What if people take issue with the way I portray her? What if people think I'm racist because of the way I have her act (even though any way she acts is just THE WAY SHE WOULD ACT IN REAL LIFE!!)
Look, I get it. Racism is real, and it's bad, and it sucks. But not every white person practices it. Not every white person condones it. And I'm kinda sick of constantly worrying about saying the wrong thing. I'm sick of people judging each other by the color of their skin, because yes, this promote-minorities-by-hating-majorities crap is just contributing to everyone compartmentalizing everyone else. Is it really so fracking hard to judge based on talent and aptitude rather than what one person's race did to another person's race over a hundred years ago? If people want equality, maybe they should stop trying to tear down everyone but themselves.
Okay. Rant over.
Fare thee well, friend!
Mira
Chill, Mira. Publishing is a long process, and that's after the book is finished. When the book goes to an editor, they'll be the ones to deal with political stuff. Your job is to write what you want. :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I too find it hard to write for characters of a different race because I don't want to people to say that I'm stereotyping characters. The thing is, there's just no pleasing some people--they complain if you don't have any minority characters, but then they complain when you do because you're "portraying them wrong."
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