Honestly, if you're starting a podcast or stream in a community that claims to be inclusive and you're all yt I'm sideyeing everyone involved with the project sans exception.

If you think this is about you: it probably is.

So let's talk about what you can actively do about it:

Let's start with the easy one:
If you're the creator, invite PoC from the get-go FFS.

If you don't know any PoC to invite or if PoC don't want to work with you, don't just give up; instead, take a step back to examine how you got here in the first place and address those issues.

"But I'm just an invited cast member who had no control of the cast list, surely it's not my fault?"

Well... not really. If you're invited on a thing and you see the cast is all yt that's the perfect chance to speak up, and if you don't speak up, you're just as complicit.

As a cast member, you have a position of leverage because it means they want you there. Use it! You can say something like:

"Hey, I noticed that everyone/ the vast majority you've invited to the cast is white, and we should invite some PoC to be a part of the show..."

You can follow up with any of:
"I think it will enrich our story by adding new perspectives."
"We have a responsibility to combat passive racism in everyday life whenever we get the chance."
Or my favourite:
"Just fucking do it, don't be a Karen."

"But what if the cast is already set and they can't expand it?"

Well I mean you're playing pretend so if they actually cared they could expand it (an exception being budget limits) *but* this is where you can prove your support in actions (where it counts) and not just words.

Give up your position, and say you're doing so for a PoC to take your place.

This is especially necessary for non-marginalized folks. If you're the only queer person in a non-queer space, then sure, that spot matters. But otherwise, show your support with concrete actions.

Yeah, it can mean giving up an exciting opportunity. And I know from personal experience that it can suck. But sometimes that's what doing the work looks like; making sacrifices in order to empower others because you're the one with a foot in the door. You'll get other chances.

Now obviously there are exceptions, like if its a paid gig and you need the money; but in any situation where you can afford to take a strong stance, then to me its a no brainer. If you find yourself not caring enough to take that step, then maybe examine your own biases.

"But what if they're not responsive to the critique or they just replace me with another yt person?"

Well that sounds to me like you dodged a bullet. I won't tell you how to live your life but that doesn't seem like the kinds of people I want to work with, but that's just me.

"Alright well I'm just a consumer of media, how does this concern me?"

Well, arguably, this concerns you most of all; because you see dear consumer, the show can't go on without your support, which also means you and your friends are in the position to voice your concerns.

This is especially true for the media you love. You should be invested in seeing it be the best it should be and voicing your concerns about representation is the perfect way to do that. You have a voice and they care about it, use that voice to invoke positive change!

Obviously don't harass creators but definitely be loud and clear about it. And look, public critique and call-out isn't for everyone, but luckily its not the only form of action. I don't always have energy for loud and public call-outs, and that's ok.

When I speak publicly I try to either do threads that provide context to issues from a perspective I feel is lacking in the discourse, or focus on threads providing advice that gives people the tools to act. If I want to raise critiques to creators I love I often do it privately.

Emails, twitter DM for the show, or contact forms are all viable options depending on what is preferred for the specific show in question. Choose the form of action that's easiest for you! You don't need to be public and loud as long as you're doing the right thing.

And that's it! That's how you can leverage your position to help promote representation in the space, no matter what role you hold in a show, and avoid being sideyed by me and most other PoC.

It's real easy!

Addendum:
This also expands to literally any other type of project; a kickstarter, a game, what have you.

I just started with show and podcast because that’s what was on my mind.

And tbh, this was a subtweet of the entire masks AP community.