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Addressing one of the discussions of the day: Should white writers write BIPOC protagonists? There are many BIPOC authors who feel strongly that the answer is No. Not that white writers shouldn't write *any* BIPOC characters, but protagonists are a whole 'nother thing.
We feel that it is possible for white writers to create BIPOC protagonists that aren't a problem. That's down to writing craft. Whether a white writer should? That's a more nuanced issue.
If you're contemplating it or have decided you're going to do it, do these things first:
If you're contemplating it or have decided you're going to do it, do these things first:
Read this 2009 blog post by author Justine Larbalestier / @JustineLavaworm about why, back then, her protagonists were not white: https://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/07/22/why-my-protags-arent-white/
AND THEN follow it up immediately with this post from 2015: https://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2015/10/20/on-writing-poc-when-you-are-white/
Seriously, read *both*.
AND THEN follow it up immediately with this post from 2015: https://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2015/10/20/on-writing-poc-when-you-are-white/
Seriously, read *both*.
Because these posts show Larbalestier's evolution of understanding about being a white writer writing BIPOC characters. She wasn't "wrong" in 2009, she was doing what she hoped was the best thing to do. When she realized that might not be the best, she changed.
After reading those posts, please read the GOH speech Hiromi Goto / @hinganai gave at WisCon a few years back.
https://www.hiromigoto.com/wiscon38-guest-of-honour-speech/
In particular this set of guidelines:
https://www.hiromigoto.com/wiscon38-guest-of-honour-speech/
In particular this set of guidelines:
Goto says: "...white writers... consider very carefully:
1) how many writers from the culture you wish to represent have been published in your country writing in the same language you will use (i.e. English) to write the story..."
1) how many writers from the culture you wish to represent have been published in your country writing in the same language you will use (i.e. English) to write the story..."
"2) why do you think you’re the best person to write this story?
3) who will benefit if you write this story?
4) why are you writing this story?
5) who is your intended audience? ..."
3) who will benefit if you write this story?
4) why are you writing this story?
5) who is your intended audience? ..."
This one is the biggie:
"6) if the people/culture you are selecting to write about has not had enough time, historically and structurally, to tell their story first, on their own terms, should you be occupying this space?"
Should you be occupying this space?
"6) if the people/culture you are selecting to write about has not had enough time, historically and structurally, to tell their story first, on their own terms, should you be occupying this space?"
Should you be occupying this space?
That's a hard question to have to ask yourself as a writer, but also an important one.
Especially if the answer is: No.
Especially if the answer is: No.
Having trouble answering that question? Here are more things to watch/read: Our roundtable discussion on How To Stay In Your Lane. https://writingtheother.com/roundtable-stay-lane/
And this post by Malinda Lo: http://ktempest.tumblr.com/post/86335228967/should-white-people-write-about-people-of-color
And this post by Malinda Lo: http://ktempest.tumblr.com/post/86335228967/should-white-people-write-about-people-of-color
Last: For many white writers who have not yet put in the work necessary to create inclusive, representational work without also including stereotypes, harmful tropes, and cultural appropriation, attempting to write a BIPOC protagonist or POV character is not advisable.
Doing so takes a high level of skill. You don't go from your first drawing class to painting the Sistine Chapel. Therefore, you don't go from "I want to do this" to trying to do that from jump.
Writing the Other is a craft skill. Like any craft skill it must be developed.
Writing the Other is a craft skill. Like any craft skill it must be developed.
Asking those questions above is part of that development. Research, reading, talking to people, and listening is as well. We have resources that are free, we have a book that doesn't cost much money, and we have classes with financial aid available. https://writingtheother.com/
You can't skip ahead, though. You can't do some of the work but not all. You cannot get around answering that question "Should I be occupying this space?"
If the answer is no, then you gotta figure out how to write the thing you want to write in a different way.
If the answer is no, then you gotta figure out how to write the thing you want to write in a different way.
The answer to: Should white writers write BIPOC protagonists? Is: Only if you're willing to put in ALL (every single bit) of the necessary work.
