#representation: biracial

[writingwithcolor]

Representing Biracial Black South American Experiences…Through a White/Asian Mixed Race Character in Europe

@colombinna asked:

I have a YA story that's in very early development - pre-alpha, if you will. For now what I have developed is the characters: one of the MCs is a biracial asian queer girl (her dad is thai-american and japanese, her mom's white), she has a medium/dark brown skin, and lives in a very white context in a fictional European country. The contact she has with her extended family is limited to phone calls and regular visits because her dad moved from the US to said fictional European country.

I'm a biracial black queer girl myself, living in a very white community in South America, my extended black family also lives in a different place, and I'm taking a lot of my experiences of being not white and queer whilst living in white communities into her story (the feeling of not belonging, the impostor syndrome, standing out as one of the only POC kids in class, etc) and thinking back to what I've heard asian friends and classmates say about their experiences in the same school/community context as mine. But I want to know how different her experiences as a dark-skinned asian girl would differ from mine and my friends' in a similar context (white community, small number of other asian people - and POC in general - in the social circles, and limited contact to her extended family), and what experiences could make sense if the character was biracial black like myself, but won't if she's biracial asian.

Why not write a biracial Black girl if those are the experiences you want to represent? 

This MC is straddling, like, 3 different cultures. Having multiple immigrant identities in not-Europe is not the same experience as being Black in South America; while both are complex minority experiences, there are too many differences in intersections and histories to compare. Not to mention, it really depends on what European culture(s) you’re basing your not-Europe on. 

I think you’ll find that the written result will ring much more genuine and rich in depth if you either translate your experiences more directly or pick a more narrow focus, instead of assuming that there is a universal for racism and colorism against biracial people that is transferable across contexts. Because there isn’t. There can be overlaps, but if you’re looking to cover the entire range of What It’s Like in general, it won’t work.

This isn’t to say that people can’t use other identities to write about specific experiences of their own, but in this case you need to think about what story you want to tell and what your reasons are. Marika’s commentary will go more into when and how this can be done effectively. 

Also, if the point is to make her a dark-skinned Asian, as a white/asian mix myself, I implore you: why must you make her 1/4 Japanese and 1/2 white? Even with the Thai ethnicity thrown in, Thai people very much range in skin tone and have their own domestic issues with colorism. It’s not impossible for dark-skinned examples of your MC’s ethnic makeup to exist, but still I don’t recommend it for two reasons: 

It's going to make researching people whose experiences fit that much more difficult. Most experiences of colorism, othering, and other forms of discrimination that mixed white asians tend to face are completely different from mixed race asians who tend to have darker skin & features.

There's enough Japanese & white mixed Japanese rep in the Asian rep sphere as is. Consider that this individual could be mixed Asian (not Japanese) with something else (not white)! 

But again, think over your motivations. I’ll spare you the copy/paste of our Motivations PSA, but re-read it and consider. Why do you wish to write a mixed Asian character to tell the story of your experiences as a mixed Black individual instead of a mixed Black character? What does it add to the story? Is it an effective vessel for the experiences you want to convey? 

~ Rina

I think Rina brings up some good points here: I’m not hearing a lot of specificity in your query. As you doubtless know firsthand, the more intersectional and complex an identity, the more of a chance the identity may come with unexpected baggage and nuances that fly in the face of what is common sense for less intersectional identities. This can make writing such characters challenging just because there is so much choice on which identity themes to emphasize. 

I once spent about 15 minutes explaining to a person the thought process I used to determine when I could wear jeans depending on which country I was living in as a mixed race person who is perceived as different things in different places. It might seem trivial, but it’s actually very important to me for the purposes of identity, safety and gender presentation, so I personally think it’s interesting. But will my readers think a character’s multi-page internal monologue on whether or not to wear jeans is especially compelling? Does the writer-version of me want to research the version of myself musing on my specific jeans conundrum to that extent? Or do I want to talk about other things related to attire a lot of other people would relate to? I think those are all YMMV questions, but hopefully, they provide some perspective that will help you be intentional about how you might want to tackle something potentially very time-consuming.

When I say intentional, I mean that when covering a complex identity with which you are peripherally familiar, it will always be more effective and easier to use it to tell a specific story extremely clearly than to be extremely broad in scope and try to include almost everything about your own experiences, especially because some of those experiences might not be as relevant for your character’s background as they are to yours.      

One of my favorite childhood picture books is written and illustrated by a Nikkei writer-illustrator team. The book is titled Ashok by Any Other Name (link). The story features a desi child growing up in the US who wishes he had an American name his friends and teachers wouldn’t think was strange. It covers how being othered for his name makes him feel, and how he copes with that feeling. Speaking as someone both Japanese and desi, I think through the plot device of names perceived by the majority of Americans as foreign, this book aptly shows how many immigrant/diaspora creators are capable of relating to the pressures of assimilation experienced by other immigrant, even if the creator, the audience and the story’s subject’s backgrounds all don’t completely overlap 100%. 

There will be aspects of your Blackness, mixed identity, skin color, sexuality and living in a local community lacking diversity as a member of many minority groups that you will find resemble/ resonate with the experiences of mixed-race, Japanese individual in a Europe-themed setting, and I think any story that leans into those themes will be considerably easier for you to research. In other words, instead of asking us “How does my experience differ?” I would approach this issue by deciding what narrative you want to show about your own experience and then research the specific contexts within which your desired story overlaps with elements of mixed-race Japanese experiences. 

- Marika.

[ghostieboii]

Helloo Sherlock & Co fandom, this is the only time I'm contributing anything I think lol. I love Joe he's my favorite character and I'll definitely never hear from him again but it's okay I'll keep his spirit alive through the power of not shutting the hell up about him

and uhh I'll put my art I've done under a cut so this post isn't too annoying to scroll past lol

[matt0044]

I dislike how some fans claim Marinette’s “not biracial enough.”

I never bothered with my mother’s Jamaican heritage or my father’s Latvian heritage. So it never felt off that Marinette took more after her father in looks and home culture.

And I get that representation matters but… there’s more than one kind. Isn’t that what it means to… represent?

I apologize in advance if the post comes off the wrong way. Not exactly a public speaker…

[bayetea]

seeing non-black people critique rick's portrayal of black characters is interesting sometimes. only like 30% of the critiques I see make any sense to me to be honest

[stickybasementobject]

Misconceptions:

You know it occurs to me that in today's world Boris Karloff would as a quarter Indian biracial actor probably be called woke casting? Not that this is a widely known fact. But in regards to him playing such roles as Jekyll and Hyde, Mycroft Holmes and nearly Cagliostro and Bluebeard. Don't believe me? Look at the reaction to actor Rupert Laight as Isaac Newton in Dr Who. Even in some more left-wing circles. It's coming to something when an ethnic actor gets less grief for such casting in the early twentieth century than one in the modern age?

I've also seen him wrongly described as a white actor doing yellow face as Fu Manchu. Not that such portrayals were ever forgivable of course. But another example of the fact that people are quite ignorant of racially mixed actors having had a presence in the history of media. Just look up the name Acquanetta as another example. See image below.

Just a few short words I wanted to get off my chest on the matter. (-;

[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)

[fivepercentgodsandearths]

I need some clarity on some things. Not saying there aren’t any but I’m not seeing any 5%ers publicly addressing the divisive comments made by rapper lord Jamar about brown aka Hispanics 5%ers like he’s done to those like my Godbrother & enlightener Sunez Allah with this whole FBA scam shit that many black folks have adopted. I was a hip hop fan of his & the group bran Nubian in the early 90s & next to Rakim, Big daddy Kane, PRT… he played a part in inspiring my journey with knowledge of self. But throughout the years of getting the knowledge for myself, growing and evolving I can respectfully say that the things he’s said about Brown brothers & sisters who happen to be 5%ers like my brother Edward Sunez Rodriguez is NOT right and exact. If you know who the original man is and you know your lessons as well as the science break down to universal flag, you would know that he or anyone black or brown or 5% is in error of their ways if they think like him. I also don’t think people go from being righteous to being racist or bigoted or jealous or haters over night. These are traits where no matter your tribe, ethnicity, or nation have laid dormant or hidden in your character flaws. That’s how savages and bloodsuckers of the poor move. Not those who are all wise and civilized & know that “original “ means “Original.” And righteous person means righteous and not religious. Tariq Nasheed started this scam with putting black folks from America and outside the country against one another. Playing on the issue some of them have with one another. He then jumped into hip hop which you’ve never seen him being highly invested in doing with his attacks against non American blacks and brown brothers and sisters. Some of you fell for it and now it’s either manipulated your mind when you should have been wiser than a man who has a history of hustling and con manning off others people fear or character flaws. If your civilized through knowledge of self or your from NY, you really have no excuse for allowing an outsider of the culture you started (music) or home where the 5% started come and divide you. Tariq Nasheed and those who carry this mentality show and prove that a Devil who looks like you in your own community, our community can cause trouble amongst our/your own people. If you are a 5%er and you aren’t speaking out against people like this, no matter how long you’ve known them or how long they’ve had knowledge of self… you are not your brothers or sisters keeper and the lessons you’ve carried for years were just for show and tell and to recite like many gang members recite their literature laws but don’t follow. We call that a hypocrite or in Chicago we called it false flagging aka being something your not.

Sincerely, King Kamal Allah

[bloodbatty]

Y'all we need more interracial couples representation. If you care.

[aesterblaster]

The author casually including so many poc side characters + an interracial relationship (even if the relationship itself sucks lmao, sometimes relationships suck so Im not gonna be picky or claim it's racism or something) in 206...can be something so personal....

[pomegranighte]

Seeking some help from fans of Garth Nix's Abhorsen/Old Kingdom series.

I posted this fanart of Lirael inspired by Nico Parker (ignore the misnaming in the post) to the Abhorsen subreddit.

There's a user there who is claiming that I've done wrong in how I've drawn her. They claim I've done POC a disservice by raceswapping.

I attempted to defend myself and my rightful pride in offering a fanart of mixed-race Lirael on a subreddit where that's severely wanting; Lirael is mixed-race: Nico Parker is mixed-race.

They seem little able to back up their critique and claims and go on a bit of a more than inadvertently self-deafeating and hypocritical tangent (seriously, even if you don't contribute, it's worth looking at for entertaining bafflement).

I don't feel in the wrong or seriously upset with my art (ike at all) but this was an irksome and downer start to my morning (insert a begrieved "but it's Christmas!!!!").

I'd appreciate any comments you might be able to add, any rebuttals, support, or conversation that might otherwise help this post be about something besides silent supprt for this dude's argument (they keep getting up votes, even if they're balanced with downvotes).

Anyway, tldr tear this fool apart.

Also here's the fanart in question:

[sanyu-thewitch05]

The Black community: Oh! We’re not being represented on television and movies! They’re casting light skins and biracials to play us! They’re choosing people with looser hair textures to play us!

Someone: Ok then, let’s acknowledge and say biracials aren’t black just because they have a parent that’s black. Let’s set a standard for what a Black American is.

The Black Community : “How dare you erase their blackness!”

“Blackness comes in all shades and textures!”

“If they have a black parent they’re black!”

“They experience the same discrimination black people face!”

“They won’t have anywhere to go since the white community don’t want them!”

“You’re just jealous cus they’re pretty! You’re insecure!”

Me:

[okurrroye]

*This was sitting in my drafts for awhiiile so I ended up forgetting about it, and because high key I just hate typing long ass posts but *sigh* people are still whining so alas I must persist*

First and foremost I ask everyone to find some maturity to please read this to the end before you try to bring out your torches and pitch forks thank you.

I am sick and tired, sick and tired of all this racist bullshit when it comes to filmmaking. This is probably going to be a long post but since majority of people have zero brain cells, or just flat out racist, or are just dumb hypocrites needs to be addressed because the shit I’m seeing is absurd and no one is listening to anyone or seeing the real picture(s).

Now I’m going to try to point out as many examples of these great debated characters as possible and their situations but I might slip and miss a few details because this entire situation is just infuriating which just makes me forget what I want to say but anyways here we go…

The biggest blow up I’ve seen is the issue of course black washing. You all know who I’m talking about- Ariel, MJ, Charlotte, Tinkerbell, and Annabeth. Now guess what black people, black washing is a thing, because it’s literally the opposite of white washing and yes go ahead counteract but let me finish first it’s the truth and yes non black people all have a right to have an issue (respectfully) with that.

But guess what white people and anyone else that has a problem with it that’s not racist, and you want to know why it’s not racist? Because even though you fail to comprehend the obvious none of these actresses or actors was hired by a black person nor the instances was an act of trying to erase the truth which the same can not be said about of white washing in history which is indeed an act of racism (ie white people doing black and brown face). So to those of you that are upset by this statement let me break it down for you to better understand or those who want to fake ignorance of what I mean, these reimagined works of storytelling does nothing to change history, we can all either read or listen and know the actual truth of what these characters or historical figures looked like so don’t use your undercover racism as an excuse to not wanting to see black faces on your screens because you can stop the capping and just say you don’t like black people and leave because it’s obvious you all aren’t fooling anyone. Now you’re either lying and say that’s not it, or you’re not racist, or the famous excuse you should make new/ your own show/movie for black characters and uh huh uh huh I absolutely agree make new material for black characters instead of recycling but you know what I also see? A very poor excuse of hiding your segregationist and colorist mindset regardless if you consider your actions a from of racism or not it still has racist undertones. So I repeat to those who want to feel better about themselves by wanting to fight the racist allegations of their protest against these actresses getting those roles you may not think you as one, but you’re ideology is supports segregation and colorism thus making you a bigot at the very least which is still extremely wrong.

Not only is it wrong but it’s also dumb, and invalid because your only defense is about source material thus your arguments don’t hold as much weight as you think, and just shows the hypocrisy. Prime example is the casting of Nani-and I know what you’re all thinking what does that have to do with any of this? From what I’ve seen most people are in favor of the casting and the majority of the ones that are not are black and physically brown women (I say physically because not all brown women of color are actually brown, or even tanned skinned) and every person that was against Halle are the same ones going to bat to defend Sydney which are in either genuine nature, or simply out of spite which is also racially motivated-and stop before you begin about how it’s not because these situations are exactly the same but treated completely differently only because Halle is black, and Sydney isn’t. To further prove my point those who are against Sydney are upset is because they think she’s white right? Or am I right? But what many of them fail compute is to not jump to conclusions and learn that her father is in fact indigenous Hawaii (I too was suspicious because of the rumor so I simply checked out her insta which so many failed to do) and thus has only half white and not just a ‘WhItE gIrL bOrN iN hAwAiI’ which they keep falsely saying, but as soon as those who did oppose her changed their minds after learning that truth too and those who still refuse is simply because she’s not dark enough. And just like those defending Sydney out of sincerity (and not retaliation) are quick to point out that it is unfair and colorist because she is Hawaiian and that’s all that matters not the color of her skin, that they need to stop judging her as less than just because she’s more white passing.

Now to go back a bit in how this correlates to the Halle situation is that the main protest is that Ariel is originally white and a redhead right? Matter of fact let’s rap this up faster and kill two birds with one stone shall we being this also the same issue with MJ which is a white girl with red hair right? Now three things all red headed girl have or had to deal with is discrimination, sexualization, (more so than other white girls) and the stereotyping of having anger issues. You know who also has had that problem the most out of biwoc? Black woman (and I know many will disagree and you’re entitled to your opinions, but those two out of all white people and biwoc have been disliked the most respectively). Yes I hear all the- well that doesn’t matter and that doesn’t justify blah blah blah but hold those thoughts because one Halle did dye her hair red (and yes it is possible for black people to have naturally red hair so miss me with that excuse), two current MJ is a different character-and yeah you all still going to try to fight me on that but I’m not finished yet because new flash- BOTH Halle and Zendaya are HALF WHITE therefore has every right to audition or accept those role if they want to and you all need to stop calling them black when they’re biracial unless you now want to back pedal because they’re not white passing enough for your liking? Or in other words it’s ok for Sydney, but not Halle or Zendaya? Or even not to mention why than was no one besides black people protesting Alexandra who is also biracial as Storm if everyone is so upset about correct representation? Oh wait that’s right it only matters if the character is white apparently.

“YoU cAn’T uSe tHe BiRaCiAl eXcUsE fOr ChaAloTte”-well you thought wrong because there is historical evidence whether you want to believe it or not that Queen Charlotte is a descendant of the de Sousa family a black branch of the Portuguese royal house and further evidence is pertaining to painters trying to hide her African features-“bUt ThAt’s AlL a MyTh”, says all the racists/bigots-and so are Ariel, Tinkerbell, and demigods but here you all are flapping your jaws and wasting your breath because now you’re contradicting yourselves because remember how you have to stick to the source regardless of it being mythology right? or is it no now? Yeah that’s what I thought. Whether you believe it or not the fact that the theory even exists at all is proof in its self and now you’ll say so what if she had a black ancestor it was generations ago but you’re also wrong because she could still have looked black and yes that doesn’t sound like it makes sense but here’s why it does. Sandra Laing is a black woman that was born to white parents that was also unaware of a black ancestor and thus is further proof that although rare but not an impossible occurrence which could very much happen with Queen Charlotte of which is why once again a biracial half black white actress was casted to play her. Now all three of these instances is the start of 99 other problems but those actresses being half black is not one of them.

Which is the larger issue being the fact that you’re saying biracial people aren’t allowed to play who they are or rather really is being said is that it’s only ok if they only get roles based on their poc color side and not their white ones only. So if that’s the case alright then than they shouldn’t be allowed to play poc characters either because they’re still half white. Or is it the fact they don’t just suit your passing qualifications? Ok easy solution then let’s all go with backwards thinking and bring back the brown paper bag test then. And hey let’s take it a step further since everyone is so technical these days the same thing should apply to straight character being turned to LGBTQ+ one’s and furtherly no queer actors should be playing straight or cis characters, and no cis straights should be playing the opposite either (so no non binary people can’t play trans peoples and trans people people can’t act as cis characters either so non binary will have worst luck of us all since the majority still thinks the concept is ridiculous as it is, and my poor pans where does that leave you?). Also no more actors dying their hair or wearing wigs either since it’s not authentic right? But it’s not over yet because that also means no more Jewish actors playing non Jews, no more non person of that nationality either playing a different one, no neurotypicals playing neurodivergent ones, no able bodied person playing a disabled one, nor wearing fats suits or vice versa. But once again no was complaining when the opposite was happening-I’m looking at you Amy Adams, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Lawerance, Brendon Fraser, Eddie Redmayne, Keir Gilchrist, and so on, literally every European born actor playing Americans in media or Americans playing non American which is I can think of tons of instances of the latter (specifically a bad habit with British and Canadian actors) but not the former, and white actors playing roles that’s not part of their heritage (for example an Irish person playing an Italian character and etc). Oh and let’s finally acknowledge our voice actors because you’re not safe either and how their ethnicities never match their characters with the biggest example being the entire world Avatar The Last Air bender is made of Asian characters and yet almost the whole voicing cast is made of white people instead so we shall have no more instances like that because society demands honest representation *cough* all of a sudden *cough*.

But anyways back to the original topic at hand, Tinkerbell. Yara is also biracial but this one is more complicated because there’s different opinions about Iranian ethnicity but you know who opinion does matter the US’s because that where the movie was made so according to the US census she is also considered half white so case closed. But alas a new case is opened because everyone persisted on wHy Is TiNkErBeLl bLaCk? Why is no one complaining about the fact Peter isn’t a red head? I guess I’m the only one upset about that because you was all complaining about losing red headed female representation which by the way you haven’t at all because there is red headed women in media now more than ever but I can’t say the same about red headed guys though but still silence. It’s obvious sexism when it comes to red headed men and women in society and the men have always gotten the shorter end of the stick (their female counterparts are showed favoritism because they’re viewed as desirable while the males are not) Red headed boys deserve more love and representation and I will die on this hill.

And finally Annabeth which is well you’re all absolutely right to disagree (respectfully which most of you are not) about her and the only one of the previously mentioned actresses that is an example of black washing-but funny how I still don’t see the same fuss about the Grover or Percy casting though (who is supposed be tanned skinned with black hair and the former being a curly brunette white boy) because she’s not white but she does look mixedish and producers probably thought so as well which why I had previously thought it was ok to cast her but at the end of the day there should be no reason to send hate to her (or any of them) just because she isn’t either, she’s a child for crying aloud and you should all be ashamed and embarrassed of yourselves. Because not a single person thought or thinks maybe that all of them got the role simply because they had the talent and deserved it but according to the world it’s apparently impossible, unfathomable, unspeakable to ever consider that yes a black person could be favored over a non one because in your own words whether you admitted it or not you think white people are better and the only way black people can land a role is if they’re only competing against their own kind which is furthest from the truth. Everything isn’t about seeming woke/ representation or a cash grab but perhaps and this might sound crazy but hear me out maybe it’s the fact they realized more than just white people exist in the world or maybe some people just aren’t racist/bigoted like you and wants someone that’s not lighter than a paper bag because bipoc of all shades deserve to and can be the main character, the love interest, the best friend, and whatever the fuck else they want to be because bipoc exist and anyone that has a problem with it can suck it the fuck up and get over yourselves.

You all want to talk about how racism doesn’t exist anymore but this is just one example of the ideology society continues to hold. I see the hateful comments and the pointing fingers and the complaining but no one wants to admit they’re part of the problem or there is a problem at all but wants to get angry when it’s pointed out that your racism or bigotry is showing and then refuse to listen instead of trying to understand and learn from one another. It’s not always about you, consider your fellow human regardless of race, religion, sexuality, gender, age, class, culture, or nationality. Because all of this nitpicking is just dividing people even more and the taking away the very essence of art and acting is supposed to be which is creativity and always has room for improvement or different interpretations in anyway the the creator sees fit like that’s literally what Disney does, they take an original story and change them, nor are they accurate either but you don’t see the issue in that (no correct accents/period clothing, and etc). Because at the end of the day everyone is wasting their time no matter your stances because it’s all null and void since it’s up to the producers to make the decisions and what creators allow them to do with their work. So instead of blaming and sending hate to the artists and bipoc in general how about you direct all that energy to who’s actually at fault instead thus stirring the pot resulting in race baiting.

[ashanimus]

white people shut the everloving fuck up about what appropriating peoples culture means challenge and just enjoy your goddamn sparkle dragons

[not-your-asian-fantasy]

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[peculiar-reblogs]

More here [link]!

[wahlpaper]

Radio Silence Review

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

CW: Suicidal Thoughts, Abusive Parent, Animal Death, Underage Drinking, School Stress, Depression, Arson, Death Theeats, Toxic Internet Culture, Stalking, Unhealthy Weight Loss, Positive References to Harry Potter and Scott Pilgrim, Anxiety, Racism, Queerphobia, Classism, Fire Injury

5/5

I've wanted to read Alice Oseman's Radio Silence for quite a while, but it was the most recent season of Heartstopper that motivated me to read it now. If you're familiar with Oseman, you might know that all of their stories are set in the same universe. You may also know that they don't always connect to each other. I had assumed that Aled (a character in the Heartstopper comic and Radio Silence) was renamed Issac for the show. When I realized his story was very different, I looked into why. Aled was left out in hopes that Radio Silence will get an adaptation. So, if you were wondering, you do not need to be familiar with Heartstopper to understand and enjoy Radio Silence. The story takes place after and is very much its own thing!

In Radio Silence, Frances Janvier is head girl of her school and achieving top grades. She's on track to go to Cambridge, but she's been missing out on a fulfilling social life because of it. The only two things she does in her free time are art and listen to a podcast called "Universe City". When she accidentally finds out that she knows the anonymous creator of the podcast, she starts to help with the show and get close to him. This is Aled Last, a depressed boy with an abusive mother and a missing twin sister. Time spent with Frances allowed both of them to embrace their true selves. Unfortunately, the problems in Aled's life may be too much for their friendship.

Being used to Heartstopper and Loveless, both by Oseman, I was unprepared for how dark Radio Silence was. While no main characters die, there are feelings of hopelessness and fear that can affect a reader. It's the first book I've needed a reading break from since Jennette McCurdy's memoir. In addition to the topics I've already mentioned, this book covers racism, single parent-hood, mental illness, flaws in the education system, suicidal thoughts, toxic internet culture, and stalking. The topics are all handled quite well, I just wish I had read a content warning going into it. For me, it helps to prepare for what I'm about to read instead of going in blind. All reading needs are valid!

The thing that drew me to Oseman in the first place was their inclusion of asexuality. While you do not need to be ace yourself to write ace characters, I do see it as a nice bonus. Being ace, Oseman tends to include that rep in most of their books. Over the course of Radio Silence, Aled discovers that he is on the asexual spectrum. It's something he's afraid to share as he doesn't know how others will react. I've had this same fear every time I've started being interested in someone new. Seeing realistic representation of my identity will always feel rewarding.

Oseman is great at writing varied and authentic queer identities. Aled is also into guys and potentially gender fluid. The podcast he creates often pulls from his own life and the main character of it is gender fluid. Frances knows she's bisexual before the book starts. She doesn't get a romance arc in this book, so it's not a big part of the plot, it's just a part of who she is. There's also a gay character and a lesbian character. Queer people flock together and it's clear that Oseman knows this.

I think that Radio Silence is mostly written very well! The pacing allowed the book to take up many months and feel like it. Every mysterious part of the story was revealed at the right time. The characters were all complex and interesting. The messages all got across. What I struggled with was how Frances was telling the story. Though it's all from her point of view at some time in the future, this feels uncertain and inconsistent. It's as if sometimes she was just describing it in the moment. She was also annoyingly repetitive at times. I think it would have worked better if she was either an unreliable narrator or if it was all in the present. It wouldn't need to be present tense, but lines like "I would always" or "I never saw [person] again" could be left out. There's always going to be something a book struggles with and that's okay.

Radio Silence is not just a must-read for Alice Oseman fans, but a great book for anyone upset with the school system, wanting a friendship love story, or looking for a serious read that turns out okay. If you decide to read it you'll be treated to bits of the fictional podcast, fashion ideas from the characters, and lots of queer rep! If this sounds like a book for you, trust your gut and pick it up!