>>We need to support diversity among creators, not force force people to write what they can't.<<
True.
>> I'd rather read a POC writing a white person than vice versa. <<
It's easier for a disadvantaged person to write an advantaged character accurately, because they have to know the advantaged routines just to get by.
>> I live in Oregon. It's super white. I intend to have some racial diversity in my planned stories, but those threads will be based on my experiences on the East Coast. I can't imagine growing up here and trying to write POC. <<
Good point.
>> I know people who grew up here and they never have had POC in their acquaintance group. What are they supposed to do? Base their writing off some 'woke' Tumblr tirade? <<
This is where the internet comes in handy. I have plenty of online friends with traits I have not met locally. When I read their blogs, and they give me prompts, their experience then influences what I write. I find this very helpful. I'd rather have higher local diversity of all kinds, but I'll take what I can get.
>> If I get established as a creator in the ways I want to be, I am going to need to find ways to get POC feedback on my stuff. It'll likely be a financial arrangement. <<
That's one option.
>> As it is, I am worried that some of what I might write might be a bit dated because it's been a while since I lived in more diverse places.<<
Point.
>> I can't just go and make a Black Friend(tm). The attention some African Americans get in geeky spaces in Portland is downright creepy at time. So many liberals wanting to befriend them. At one particular con I've seen holdover hippies try to hug them to 'heal our divisions'.<<
Yikes. O_O
Well, what about trying to attract more black geeks to the area? Or encouraging black students to take up STEM careers? With more people, it wouldn't be such a crush. Volunteering at organizations with a largely African-American service footprint would be another idea.
>> There are other kinds of diversity besides racial. Those are less challenging for me, mostly. Certain minefields are a whole 'nother topic. <<
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dancing_serpent
Thoughts
Date: 2018-01-23 08:40 am (UTC)True.
>> I'd rather read a POC writing a white person than vice versa. <<
It's easier for a disadvantaged person to write an advantaged character accurately, because they have to know the advantaged routines just to get by.
>> I live in Oregon. It's super white. I intend to have some racial diversity in my planned stories, but those threads will be based on my experiences on the East Coast. I can't imagine growing up here and trying to write POC. <<
Good point.
>> I know people who grew up here and they never have had POC in their acquaintance group. What are they supposed to do? Base their writing off some 'woke' Tumblr tirade? <<
This is where the internet comes in handy. I have plenty of online friends with traits I have not met locally. When I read their blogs, and they give me prompts, their experience then influences what I write. I find this very helpful. I'd rather have higher local diversity of all kinds, but I'll take what I can get.
>> If I get established as a creator in the ways I want to be, I am going to need to find ways to get POC feedback on my stuff. It'll likely be a financial arrangement. <<
That's one option.
>> As it is, I am worried that some of what I might write might be a bit dated because it's been a while since I lived in more diverse places.<<
Point.
>> I can't just go and make a Black Friend(tm). The attention some African Americans get in geeky spaces in Portland is downright creepy at time. So many liberals wanting to befriend them. At one particular con I've seen holdover hippies try to hug them to 'heal our divisions'.<<
Yikes. O_O
Well, what about trying to attract more black geeks to the area? Or encouraging black students to take up STEM careers? With more people, it wouldn't be such a crush. Volunteering at organizations with a largely African-American service footprint would be another idea.
>> There are other kinds of diversity besides racial. Those are less challenging for me, mostly. Certain minefields are a whole 'nother topic. <<
Also true, and well worth pursuing.