White writers who insist on writing poc MCs and believe that their research and intentions should save them from backlash are being willfully obtuse at this point. Y’all know the deal and you insist on taking up space anyway. Writers of color can tell our own stories. Full stop.

Like, why are we still doing this? It’s TIRED. People of color don’t need y’all to try and “diversify” the genre by stepping out of your lane. What we need you to do is confront whiteness and white supremacy in significant ways within stories with white protagonists. Start there.

And this is the last thing I’m gonna say: poc are INFINITELY more qualified to write white characters than white folks are to write poc. We’ve engaged with whiteness our entire lives—have our PhDs in white culture. You watched The Help two seconds ago and now you’re an expert?