Okay, I’ve been thinking about this for the last 24 hours, which is a sign I want to say this more directly.

”Not every WOC should have to take care with their representation in their books” is just horse shit. https://twitter.com/ladrianaherrera/status/1299692668017152008

I honestly cannot believe I read those words.

It’s called harmful representation because IT HARMS PEOPLE. The fact that you are a member of the group harmed does not give you a right to harm *other* people.

When people point out that the representation is harmful, they’re not doing it to hurt the author. They’re doing it to protect readers.

As authors, where ever you come from, if the thing you makes hurts someone... you did it.

Your intent does not matter. Your background does not matter. You still hurt someone.

This does not mean that you are censored. It does not mean you aren’t “allowed” to do things.

We know this because criticism exists and the things being criticized continue to exist.

If there is a person who is not taking care with the representation in their books, and those books are being published, then the solution is for readers to let other readers know, so that they can decide for themselves whether they want to potentially be harmed.

Every single one of us authors is going to screw something up at some point, because none of us are perfect and we’re embedded in a messed up world.

You know what? The world is not going to end.

It is okay for people to talk about how we screwed up. It is okay for people to talk about how books can be better.

None of us are the end result of publishing; we are steps along the journey.

Yes, we are in many ways forging new paths. But we will not get *better* at forging those paths, or forge less harmful paths, without honest, forthright discussion.

I want to acknowledge that some people say they’re reading this thread differently.

It is hard for me to square this alternate interpretation with the actual review that is being responded to. https://medium.com/@evesalexandria/thoughts-on-the-dukes-princess-bride-by-amalie-howard-693bf51e0c5c

I absolutely, completely, utterly want fluffy, happy historical romances about people of color that don’t mention colonialism or slavery in any way, shape, or form.

But that’s not the historical being defended here.

If the early movie contains the destruction of Alderaan, saying “but not every movie should have to take on the burden of dealing with an evil empire!” is just nonsensical.