#characters of color

[uhhrellys]

anyway she ate this look

[shyjusticewarrior]

Duke: You're very white today, Bruce.

Bruce: I'm white everyday, Duke.

Duke: That's true.

[buttdumplin]

this is an open letter from a poc to folks who are writing characters of color

if you're going to write a scene/interaction in which the character of color is confronting a white character about their racism, do not, i repeat DO NOT, center the white character. not their feelings, not their reactions. because it is never about the white character, nor should it ever be. white tears and white guilt have never fucking done dick for us, and they never fucking will. a response only matters when it is to make amends and change behaviors.

[hey-its-sybarite]

“Let's tell more stories. Let's be monsters and enjoy it. Let's be problematic. Give us the space to be a problem.”

[shiranuieditorial]

20 inspirational names for a super summer!

List summary: 新夏、夏向、夏涼、夏艷/夏艶、琉夏、夏樂、夏怡、夏悅、夏嬉、夏歡/夏懽、梨夏、夏梅、夏蓮、莽夏、青夏、勇夏、承夏、平夏、峰夏、and 夏緒！ (Keep reading ’til the end to discover their meanings, readings, pronunciations, guide to etymology and history, and more linguistic knowledge!)

Is it just me or has this summer been unnervingly chilling for us tropical islanders? 🌞🥶

Check out this summer-inspired name bank I’ve been working on for the past 5 months!

Each name was…

→ meticulously hand-picked like exotic cherries 🍒

→ carefully translated to the best of my ability 🉑

→ and then packed with a mini beginner’s guide to 夏 (the Han character/Chinese character for “summer”, used throughout the Sinosphere) 📖

→ which contains its standard readings in many languages: Mandarin Chinese, Dungan Tili, Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien, Wu, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese! 🀄

(If you need info on any other topolect, dialect, or time-specific variant not mentioned here, just ask away! I’ll see what I can do for ya!)

👉🏼 An incredibly versatile character, it’s impossible to run out of given names containing/based on 夏!

The possibilities are endless, and the only limit is our imagination! 💡

👉🏼 If we visit the Wiktionary entry for 夏, we’ll see a whole lot more linguistic variants & historical hypotheses on this ancient grapheme dating back to 2070 BC, and even a reconstruction of its Middle Chinese & Old Chinese pronunciations based on recovered millennia-old scripts! 😱

👇🏼 Comment “Wiktionary” and I’ll send you the link to read further. It’s very interesting to read, whether you’re a curious beginner or a veteran Sinologist.

❓ QOTD 1: Which name stood out to you in particular? 🤔

❓ QOTD 2: Do you know what the difference is between “reading” and “pronunciation”? 🗣️

👇🏼 Also also also, let me know what you think of this list! 📜

Is it interesting enough? Are the tables mathematical enough? Are my font choices weird enough? Have I managed to convince you that I’m secretly an omniscient Taoist immortal from the 16th century BCE here to steal all the trees off your backyards, or should I try harder? If so, what other attempts at floor-length grocery lists should I make to satisfy your most honourable expectations?

Remember—your plants are at stake here! 🧚🏼‍♀️🌲🌳🌴

[eclectic-sassycoweyes]

Checking myself for racist microaggressions in fandom

Some thoughts I had about how to check myself for micro aggressions in fandom turned into a checklist of sorts. With the encouragement of Andie @paperstorm it resulted in this post that then Neha @theghostofashton was so kind to offer a read-through of before I posted it to help fill in potential blanks and rephrase where needed!

So, something I noticed about my initial reaction to seeing more talk about microaggressive takes and behaviors resurging with the new season airing, was that there was this tiny part of me that went: ‘oh no what if I’ve done something wrong.’ I found this interesting because I think that that’s a pretty human reaction, and one that we all need to unlearn, even if it is rooted in the intention of being a Good and non-racist person.

Because I think that this is part of what can lead us to distance ourselves from the racism that exists in fandom, and to adopt the belief that ‘It can’t be me contributing to this problematic behavior because I’m not racist’, serving as a defense against the risk of being perceived as, or perceiving oneself as, a bad or racist person.

So when that reaction hits, we need to practice channeling those intentions into asking instead ‘what can I do from here on out to help my fellow fandom members who are PoC be able to enjoy fandom without having to encounter racism and microaggressions?’

That means not asking ‘what if’ but instead acknowledging that we are all at risk of contributing to microaggressive behaviors because of both societal and in-fandom mechanisms, that can cause implicit bias to be strengthened and affirmed in the fandom through us adopting each other’s takes, perceptions, interpretations and headcanons. So if I want to avoid being a part of the problem, that means checking myself too. So:

Point 0) I should assume that I have made mistakes in the past and that I will make them again in the future, as that puts me in a better position to be a good/not racist person than assuming the opposite I.e. If I perceive myself as in any way immune to being part of the problem of racism in fandom, then that in itself puts me more at risk of becoming part of the problem.

1-5: Checking my perceptions, takes and beliefs:

Is it important to me to be someone who is not racist, to not exude racist behaviors and to not contribute to racism in fandom? (the point here is of course, as we shall see, that checking this point isn't in itself enough, but it puts me in a better position to check the rest of the list. Being willing to continually learn and grow in this area is what will take me from non-racism to anti-racism).

Is my empathy and focus equally distributed between white and non-white characters? If my empathy and focus is unequally distributed between characters, I need to check with myself whether that could be symptomatic of racist bias. Example: do I notice TK being sad more than I notice Carlos appearing stressed and anguished in 5x01? Do I pay attention to Carlos being absent more than I do to him making an effort to be present? Is it easier for me to emphasize with TK feeling alone and worried than Carlos feeling alone and grieving?

Am I allowing non-white characters the same ‘negative’ emotions as I allow the white characters, also when those emotions lead to what I perceive as bad decisions or transgressions? 

Example: Am I allowing the characters of color to be petty, angry, aggressive, sad, proud, annoyed, worried, insecure, vengeful, grieving and acting with basis in those emotions without it negatively affecting my perception of them as people as much as I am the white characters? I.e. is Carlos walking out the door in 4x04 bc of worry and frustration, worse in my mind than TK walking out on Carlos in 2x04 bc of hurt and anger? Do I emphasize with Carlos for being worried and mad at TK for breaking their agreement to give Iris time, or TK for feeling hurt and ‘wrongly accused’ of having contributed to Iris going missing? Do I validate Carlos as much for acting on for not being ready to introduce his boyfriend or TK for being hurt by being introduced as a ‘friend from work’?

Am I making up valid excuses for the characters of color the same way I am for the white characters? There is so much we don’t see in canon. Parts of storylines, motivations and reasons for why the characters act the way they do, resolutions to conflict or lack thereof that we have to make up ourselves. Example: When TK or Carlos hasn’t explicitly apologized for causing the other hurt in canon, do I excuse that by either assigning them valid reasons for their actions thus deciding that they don’t need to apologize or by headcanoning that the apology does happen, just outside of canon where we don’t see it? Am I able to do this for both of them equally or for TK only? When Carlos struggles with Cooper, and TK not opening up to him in 3x13, do I consider him jealous or do I see him as having valid human emotions such as insecurity and a wish to be there for his partner? When Carlos works late do I assign him reasons of selfishness, vengefulness or indifference towards TK, or do I emphasize with why he’d feel the need to seek justice to a point where that’s difficult to balance along with his marriage i.e assign him reasons such as grief, feeling like no-one else is looking for the killer, and subconsciously seeking closure for his complicated relationship with his father?

Checking my writing and posting:

Focus and empathy/POV: Is there an uneven distribution between white and non-white characters in terms of who and which storylines I write/post about, whose feelings and motivations I focus on in my writing, who I make an in depth analysis-post about? - If there is an uneven distribution between white characters and characters of color, have I taken the time to really consider why? (see also point 2).

Does my writing risk feeding into stereotypes? 

Example: Do I always write Carlos as strong, hypermasculine and dominant and holding the role of support/caretaker for TK? Am I painting Carlos’ parents and his relationship with them as bad, homophobic and neglectful in an un-nuanced way whereas TK’s relationship with his parents are being written as healthy and unproblematic? In my writing, is Carlos seeking out his father’s killer on his own written as problematic whereas Owen taking matters of justice into his own hands, shooting/punching someone is forgotten is validated/heroic?

When writing characters of color, am I being extra mindful of how I write them? This doesn’t mean writing them as I would any white character and thinking box checked. Being mindful sometimes means writing characters of color differently to account for experiences related to them being a person of color and to consciously avoid speaking into or affirming harmful narratives. I should also be considering doing extra research and/or maybe seeking out a sensitivity reader.

Making myself aware of harmful narratives going around in the wider fandom in order to make sure that I don’t risk accidentally affirming them with my writing. Example: right after 5x01 aired a narrative started going around that the state of Tarlos’ relationship was worse than what canon made it out to be. A lot had read Rashad’s interviews, were excited for all the angst to come, and were not getting the happy, newlywed Tarlos we had been hoping for, so for some this speculation/interpretation either didn’t have racist motivation or didn’t have the intention of being micro aggressive. However, that narrative was in some places interconnected with the narrative that Carlos was to blame and of him being a neglectful husband even though canon had shown him as both putting in effort to spending quality time with TK, and being in pain and overworking himself trying to balance a very traumatic situation for which he was not to blame in the first place. All we knew at that point was that Carlos had come home late at least more than 1 time. Speculating that their relationship is in a worse state than canon shows, and writing extremely angsty spec out of love for angst isn’t necessarily or always problematic in itself. But this narrative going around in a way that is intermingled with unsolicited hate and blame directed at Carlos, means that a post that might not otherwise come across as microaggressive, becomes problematic as it risks affirming those narratives if not written very mindfully in terms of focus, empathy and implied blame, and containing the necessary disclaimers. 

Checking this point means listening closely when the PoC in the fandom are making us aware of racist microaggressions taking place/resurging, even if I feel like I for the most part ‘enjoy not seeing it’ on my dashboard. Me feeling like I'm not seeing it on my dashboard, doesn't mean it doesn't exist both in other places and on my dashboard but just in ways where I'm not clocking it as harmful.

Disclaimers - Using the examples from above, if I want to make that thorough analysis if TK’s facial expression the moment Carlos says he isn’t going to be home or I want to write the angstiest spec fic, I need to make sure to add the necessary disclaimers to make sure I don’t feed a problematic narrative that’s going around. Other people don’t know my intentions and can’t read my thoughts. So even if I don't intend to, if I’m not being conscious not to, my post risks hurting fandom members of color and affirming views that might be harmful. 

Examples of disclaimers could be: “I don’t believe that it’s going that bad overall or that Carlos is to blame/isn’t also going through it/missing TK those nights but I found TK’s expressions really interesting in this moment because..” or “It doesn’t seem like it’s every night he doesn’t come home and they seem so happy otherwise but there is just so much that could make TK worry about him and their marriage..” or “it’s so clear how much they love each other and how hard Carlos is trying to balance his marriage and grief/search for justice but the way in which it might remind TK of his parents/past addiction is so interesting..”

(It might also be relevant to check out point 2 and 5 on whether my focus and empathy is equally distributed). 

Calling it out or making sure to gently make OP aware, and moderating or showing my disagreement when I see racist/micro aggressive takes, also when those takes are posted by my friend who I believe didn’t have racist intentions with it. This isn’t saying that I should call out any and all posts that focus on TK or are super angsty. But if a post is speaking into or at risk of affirming harmful narratives, a simple “This is such an interesting take on how TK’s trauma could contribute to him worrying about their marriage! I think it’s really important rn to point out that Carlos isn’t to blame for this situation though. He’s in so much pain too”. Calling each other out/gently making OP aware or moderating/disagreeing with a take in the tags is also a way to stop a potentially harmful narrative from surging and being further affirmed and adopted in the fandom. 

Important end notes:

Checking point 0 puts me in a better position to check point 1-10.

Checking point 1 does not automatically make me check point 2-5, I still have to continuingly reflect and think critically about my own takes and perceptions.

Checking point 1-5 does not mean I automatically check 6-9. I still have to be making a conscious effort to check my writing and posting as I am otherwise at risk of affirming a microaggressive take going around in fandom, or in society. Actually, I risk accidentally doing so even when I am making an effort not to. 

Which is why I need to also check point 10.

We need to help carry the weight of making fandom a safe, comfortable and fun space for the people of color in it, so that that weight doesn’t rest solely on their shoulders. Because fandom should be a place that is equally as fun, safe and comfortable for PoC as it is for white fandom members, and right now it isn't. Assuming that I am not immune to being part of the problem to stave off anxiety or a negative self perception, but instead channeling those intentions into a purer sense of empathy for my fandom members of color and and deciding to do the constructive work of checking my perceptions, my takes and my writing, and helping to call out and moderate potentially or obviously microaggressive and racist takes when I see them, is a way to do that.

[black-is-beautiful18]

If your fav white character can have godhood status without anyone objecting and having to prove themself then so can characters of color.

If your fav white character can one shot somebody then so can characters of color.

If your fav white character can be angry then so can characters of color.

If your fav white character can be the savior then so can characters of color.

If your fav white character can be loved unconditionally THEN SO CAN CHARACTERS OF COLOR.

Y’all constantly want characters of color to struggle and that’s a problem. They can never just exist. They can never be powerful just because. They can’t be anything without y’all questioning why they have the right to be that way. It’s racism. Point blank period. Constantly questioning why marginalized characters aren’t struggling, why they get to show off their powers and just be is racist. The fact y’all don’t hesitate to do it either makes it even more obvious. Like what do you mean Storm not struggling does a disservice to marginalized characters??? Or that Hazel despite being super powerful doesn’t deserve to be in the seven??? Or that Bree is annoying when she is a grieving 16 year old???? What do you mean by that??????

[doesnotloveyou]

not maximus clearly having high Luck in his SPECIAL lmao there's no way you oneshot a yao guai with a 10mm without high Luck, m'boy blessed!

[pinklikeroses-artonly]

Need more masc lesbian vampires instead of werewolves…..

[ink-flavored]

A Beginner’s Guide to: The Local Gay Book Club

Did another PowerPoint because after doing Pride and Justice, I realized I will never ever stop doing these. I put the descriptions of the slides in the alt text again, let me know how I did!

Pride & Justice Taglist (Check out my Google form to get added): @elegant-paper-collection @auroblaze @zeenimf @vacantgodling @foxys-fantasy-tales @stesierra @noblebs @thelaughingstag @ceph-the-ghost-writer @damageinkorporated

[elentarial]

@tolkienofcolourweek

Day 3: Men-> Eomer, Eowyn, and the Rohirrim

[milevenstancyendgame]

The great thing about being an artist is that it makes you look closer. So while I was drawing Callum and looking at screenshots for reference, I realised that I had whitewashed him in my head, because he's actually biracial.

I wanted to share this, because in all fandoms I sometimes see art of characters of colour or of biracial characters with (only) European facial features. I'm not calling anyone out - it's due to the "white default"-perception we develop in Western society, and it's subconscious.

It always made me super uncomfortable, because I know artists pour their heart and soul into their work, but I also know how important correct representation of oppressed people is.

So I thought sharing my own process of gaining more awareness might be helpful.

(Below are screenshots of the creators confirming Sara's and Amaya's ethnicity when Tdp first came out)

[pet-shop-of-horror-fan]

The core issue with Isle of Dogs' use of language is that it was made for a monolingual English-speaking audience.

It's not made of monolingual English-speaking and bilingual (Japanese and English-speaking) audiences. Nor was it made for the general US audience as well as the general Japanese audience.

The Japanese language is not meant to be understood by anyone, either having English speakers translate it or leaving the audience to infer what is being communicated. The spoken English translation often overlays the spoken Japanese. Not even basic Japanese is used for the benefit of English-speaking audiences, only English words from Japanese speakers. Then written Japanese is set dressing. If it's not translated, it goes by so fast that if you understand it, you don't have the time to read it. Then the dogs all have standard English dog names with tags that are written in English. And you know, the whole thing where the dogs, our main characters, speak English.

The movie is designed in such a way that translating to Japanese is impossible without being uniquely awkward.

While there must be much to enjoy if you understand both, the movie does not just favor English, it others Japanese.

When it comes to the movie's use of language, every related issue branches from this and every potential praise has to contend with it.

And yes, there are movies made for both domestic and international audiences as well as ones for both monolingual and bilingual audiences. It can be done.

[elvensemi]

Okay you've just had the worst day of your life, now to finish it off you just have to fall asleep alone with a terrifying spider man. Easy, right? 

The Demon Isles is a erotic, second-person monsterfucking romp through the dangerous Demon Isles. The second person character is referred to by  gender neutral terminology and they/them pronouns, physical appearance left ambiguous. Sex scenes have two versions with  different sets of genitalia for the main character. Tags and content warnings are available for each chapter.

[Monsterloving] [Stranded on an Island] [Humanoid Monsters] [Fantasy Australia] [Gender neutral main character]

Parts 1-3 available on Patreon now!

Hi, I'm ElvenSemi and I write webnovels online through Patreon (available monthly) and Ko-fi (available for one-time purchase)! Two updates (SFW and NSFW) every month, plus bonus and behind the scenes content, polls, and more.

Interested in what I'm hawking but no $$$? I'm also on Ao3! There are two works there set in Oceanside, the same setting as this story.

[this-world-of-beautiful-monsters]

the golden hour (stay gold)

[moth--mallow]

Figured I'd post my favorite characters of colors since this Black History month so here are mine from the show rwby

And say what you like I know a lot of people may or may not think of him that way but I see Oscar is black / mixed

When you look at the main cast unless you know that some of them are Asian you just see what looks like white characters even on the secondary team they all just seem like white passing characters even ran who even though you can tell he's Asian coded same with blake

Oscar Maria and emerald if you count them as a part of the main cast like I do or the only few characters are of a dark skin tone

Even looking back at the earlier volumes of Ruby like volumes 1-3 one of the few black characters you have that people mainly recognize our emerald there are a few others that get introduced but they're such minor characters they're not a lot of people even mention them

I'm hoping we get a few more characters whenever we get volume 10 and I do hope that they are black

I also kind of hope the writers get better at writing characters of color because every time they write a character a color in this show they just get killed off or have to be redeemed or they're making bad decisions for no reason and yeah like even with the aesops they reviewed as the enemy so the latter half of volume 7 and even all through Volume 8

But there's something about the Aesop's characters and how they were portrayed I didn't like that well besides maybe marrow he seemed the most relatable and it's not just because we actually spent more time with him on screen it's just something about how the others and even other black characters have kind of been written in the show that just rubs me the wrong way as a black person I've seen a few others talk about this like I said I just hope we get some more black characters and later volumes if we get them and that they're written a bit better