Although the whole thing is good, I’m sharing this video (I hope) starting from 58:25, when Brandon Sanderson starts talking about issues of representation in writing, considered as a spectrum.
He starts with blatantly obvious objectification and moves on up, freely admitting that some of his published books have these issues (he doesn’t give this example here, but the first Mistborn book has only one woman, though she’s a fully realized character).
This part of the video is about 9 minutes, and well worth watching if you’re a writer trying to include characters who aren’t like you.
Not only are there published books that exhibit those faults, there are bestsellers that exhibit those faults! Sadly.
Not only are there published books that exhibit those faults, there are bestsellers that exhibit those faults! Sadly.
Based on experiences (fortunately not my own), the paragon is – to an extent – thrust at straight, white male authors as something they should be doing rather than true diversity.
There are countless articles suggesting straight writers who create homosexual characters with flaws are perpetuating the culture of queer-shaming, and so forth.
And I know several authors who have been accused of appropriation for daring to write outside their own race-as-culture.
Even if these accusations aren’t true, facing them (or knowing someone who has) creates an unconscious bias toward not offending; which is ironically strongest in those with the greatest empathy, the very people who are least likely to have prejudices.
Which doesn’t mean any community bears a responsibility to support straight, white authors more for trying their best; but it does highlight a potential drag on progress.
Based on experiences (fortunately not my own), the paragon is – to an extent – thrust at straight, white male authors as something they should be doing rather than true diversity.
There are countless articles suggesting straight writers who create homosexual characters with flaws are perpetuating the culture of queer-shaming, and so forth.
And I know several authors who have been accused of appropriation for daring to write outside their own race-as-culture.
Even if these accusations aren’t true, facing them (or knowing someone who has) creates an unconscious bias toward not offending; which is ironically strongest in those with the greatest empathy, the very people who are least likely to have prejudices.
Which doesn’t mean any community bears a responsibility to support straight, white authors more for trying their best; but it does highlight a potential drag on progress.
I am going to choose to believe that you mean well with that comment. In the interests of attempting not to discourage people who are at least trying. But it kind of makes me want to go lie down.
I am going to choose to believe that you mean well with that comment. In the interests of attempting not to discourage people who are at least trying. But it kind of makes me want to go lie down.
I’m identifying an issue, Donna Buckles, not saying what anyone should do about it. I fully agree that conflict stemming from misunderstood intentions and understandable rage makes diversity more tiring than it would be were it merely a question of avoiding stereotypes.
I’m identifying an issue, Donna Buckles, not saying what anyone should do about it. I fully agree that conflict stemming from misunderstood intentions and understandable rage makes diversity more tiring than it would be were it merely a question of avoiding stereotypes.