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Should Non POC Write Books with POC?
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ꪑꪖᦔꫀꪶ꠸ꪀꫀ , Creator
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Feb 12, 2021 11:01AM
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Agreed! Authors of color do not great featured or promoted nearly as much as white authors do, unfortuneatly, so if no white authors include POC how will there ever be diversity that reaches people? That's just how this industry works :(
I also understand why some would argue that they shouldn't because they could easily stereotype and misrepresent a certain race or culture by being ignorant. They could not do enough research and generalize a group. I think if, like you said which I hadn't even thought of before hand, interviewed POC and truly dove themselves into whatever culture/culture/race they were going to write about, then I think that would be incredible! But, like you said, white people should NOT write a book like The Hate U Give, that just sounds like a disaster lol. Diversity would be great from everyone, only if it's done right with good intentions! Great convo here Katie <3
I am POC (I'll just start of by saying that, but my opinion doesn't speak for anyone else).I agree and disagree, first of all let me just say that as a POC, its so hard to find books that are in the genre that I like, and also at the same time have a POC as the main character! It's so annoying and sometimes I feel like the romance genre (especially) is not diverse enough. I think if non-POC wrote POC roles, then this genre may be diversified a little more.
Obviously there's the other side of the argument where we should be supporting POC authors and making sure their voices are heard, because what they are writing has truth in it, and they have experienced it themselves.
And I think that non-POC should write whatever characters they want, as long as they research the background and the culture of the character and they understand that they'll never fully understand what it feels like.
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I agree and disagree, first of all let me just say that as a POC, its so hard to find books that are in ..."
Yeah!! The romance genre is the least diverse I'd say, I mean look at all of the covers for the books, almost all are white people. It's disappointing. I think that fantasy genre is growing a bit more with this topic though!
Yeah! I agree with Sofia as a POC myself, it is so hard to find main characters that I can relate to as sometimes white can be the default, so I’m definitely supportive of people writing as many POC characters as they want (as long as they research it extensively and don’t pretend to know everything)!
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Couldn't have said it better myself!
(would like to disclaim that I am not a person of color) I think that non-poc authors should write poc characters, but here's the thing, they've got to be prepared for backlash. Because no matter who you write about, if it's a minority, someone is going to think that you're doing it to get praise. And if you get all mad about it, you're going to come off as entitled.
If a non-poc writes a character who has a minority status, they need to be sure that the characters only personality trait isn't being a minority. For example, I saw somebody say on a ReadWithCindy video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bmdc...) that you should write a black CHARACTER but not a BLACK character. Basically saying that the character can be a person of color but the character shouldn't be limited to being token diversity. In my personal opinion, I love diversity, I think everyone should be represented whether it's race, sexuality, gender identity, disability, I believe that there should be somewhere in literature where they can see themselves. Of course representation is not always apart of the popular books we praise so easily.
Sure, your character can be influenced by culture, but there entire personality and life should not revolve around that. Also, please, if you are going to be writing a character who is apart of a REAL culture, for the love of god, research it very heavily and don't change any of their customs to benefit you and your story. (side-eyes Stephanie Meyer) As somebody who wants to become an author, I really wouldn't write about another person's culture because I have no idea what it is to be apart of that, but I feel like it can turn out really good if you do the proper research.
Also, diversity doesn't automatically make a book good and you should not use that as a shield. Just because you have a very diverse cast doesn't mean the characters are good, doesn't mean the plot is good, doesn't mean that anything is good.
I also really hate the fact that white, straight, and cis is the default for the average YA protagonist. Is it really that hard to take 'pale' and turn it into 'dark-skinned'?
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I think that non-poc authors should write poc characters, but here's the thing, they've got to be prepared for backlash. Because no matter..."
Wow! I am actually blown away by this. I sometimes struggle to get my words/thoughts across to people as I'm not sure how to word them but you did it PERFECTLY. Like holy crap! So many points I haven't thought of before and so many that you explored so well. I can already tell just by this piece that you're going to be an incredible and contentious author one day!
ꪑꪖᦔꫀꪶ꠸ꪀꫀ wrote: "Al wrote: "(would like to disclaim that I am not a person of color) I think that non-poc authors should write poc characters, but here's the thing, they've got to be prepared for backlash. Becaus..."
Thank you :) I try to think about topics thoroughly before I comment on them.
i obviously don't speak for everyone, but as a POC i think non POC authors should just stick to the "write what you know" rule. they should include POC characters in their books, but they shouldn't write about POC struggles because they have not actually experienced anything like that. the diversity should be casual, like, a character who happens to be a POC, not a character whose storyline is them being a POC.
Yeah I agree with that. Also, I feel like if a non-POC author writes about POC struggles, they’re taking away opportunities for people of color to share their experiences.
Al wrote: "Yeah I agree with that. Also, I feel like if a non-POC author writes about POC struggles, they’re taking away opportunities for people of color to share their experiences."yes definitely! just feels a bit like they're speaking over us, no matter how uninentional.
I personally think they should include POC in they’re writing just not as the main character just because they can’t “ relate “ and they don’t know the struggles we POC go through. However, that doesn’t mean a non POC should write an all white book. What im trying to say is include POC but don’t write about them as if you are them if that makes sense. And yes im a POC but my opinion doesn’t speak for every POC :)
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Personally i think that books which contain characters from the poc community should be written by a poc author because they would know how the chracter is the best. if you are not a poc then maybe you should co-write the book with a poc author?
In my opinion it's okay for non-POC to write POC characters but they shouldn't write a book with a POC MC that revolves solely around their identity as a POC. So a book like Dear Martin or the Black Flamingo shouldn't be written by someone who isn't a POC but a fantasy world with a main character that's a POC can be written by a non-POC if that makes sense.
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Oh!!! I've never thought of that before! Cool idea
ꪑꪖᦔꫀꪶ꠸ꪀꫀ wrote: "Kashvi wrote: "Personally i think that books which contain characters from the poc community should be written by a poc author because they would know how the chracter is the best. if you are not a..."heheh thanks
Mod
Yeah, I feel the same!
It's a tricky thing, IMO. I think if the book or narrative focuses on issues of race and racism, then yes, it should be written by a POC author. Otherwise, it would be patronizing. This is pretty much the reasom why I've avoided reading or watching The Help. The fact it's a white author narrating the racism experienced by women of color makes my yikes senses tingle. On the other hand, if the book or narrative doesn't focus on race, racism, civil rights or some kind of nuance regarding race, and the character's race is just a circumstance of their life, then I think it's fine. As a previous commenter mentioned, this usually works better in fantasy settings. However, even in these instances I do think the non-POC author should be well-educated on issues of race to avoid stereotypes or misrepresentations.
Mod
I LOVED this, couldn't agree more. I didn't know that about the help?!!?!? How can a white person understand the racism that took place during that time period!??!?! I'm going to have to rewatch that movie now.
How else are we going to get diversity? It's a different story when white people try to write about poc struggles, that almost never ends well.
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Yeah, it's painful to read
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Yes! They aren't just their race, they are people too who have different struggles in life and cultures they embrace. I wish we got to see that too!
Non POC writers should write as the world is, include a diverse range of characters that fit with the world they are portraying. If it takes place in our world then you can’t miss out a whole portion of the population. But, it must be done genuinely and with respect and not just stuck in there to tick a box. My book has a POC as the heroine, but I am not trying to say anything about race as I am not POC so I can’t possibly appreciate what it is like to be a POC. She is the MC because it fit with the story. On the converse, a POC author should definitely be able to include white characters in their work too.
Jane wrote: "Non POC writers should write as the world is, include a diverse range of characters that fit with the world they are portraying. If it takes place in our world then you can’t miss out a whole porti..."Really well said! I completely agree with you.
