How to Describe Race Without Racism
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- As a writer, one of your goals is to help your reader visualize your characters. At the same time, you don't want to stereotype someone because of their race. Sometimes simply mentioning a character's race can upset some readers. After all, aren't we not supposed to see color? How do you balance all of these things while still letting your reader feel like they know the characters in your book? This video includes six tips for writing about race without being offensive.
Tip #4 is one of yhose awesome pieces of advice because it makes the writing so kuch stronger too. Also because its so obvious, but easily overlooked.
Too bad I'm writing a fantasy novel, so this wont help me much haha.
Reminds me of a scene in Ronda Rousey's self-bio "My fight your fight ". It went like this ... " As a 12 year old , I was showing up to enlist in a judo competion with mom's friend , Jenny. The lady at the desk told Jenny , I am sorry Mam but only the mother can register a child ( Oh did I mention Jenny is black ? ) So Jenny says : Yes . I'm her mother ! Got a problem with that ? - Euhhhh... No ... "
Oh, no!!! Wow, great example though.
I think this is excellent and the point you make about being generic or cliched about race is spot on. But I also think we shouldn't be coy about racial description if its not meant as derogatory or insulting as there is pride to be taken in ones race and it can also be a a huge way to compliment. Just a thought
Oh, absolutely, Mona! For instance, I love all the wonderful details you include in your book about Palestinian culture. The cautions in the video were really about writing about a race that isn't your own.
@@memoirwritingforgeniuses agreed point taken .
@@memoirwritingforgeniuses Also, I remember a time in Mexico where someone addressed me as " güero " . Apparently it's either moreno, güero or negro which is stating a fact and not to be taken as an insult .
Thank you for this, very helpful! I appreciate you showing both wrong and right versions. One thing that stood out for me is 'cinnamon-coloured skin'. I heard else-where that this is a no-no. We don't usually say, beige-coloured skin, or pablum-coloured skin to describe 'whites'. Although I do sometimes refer to myself and my neighbourhood as 'pink', right out of the musical Hair, where the hippie dances into the centre of the montage singing, "I'm pink, I'm pink!" which was a crack up. ua-cam.com/video/2bV0UxhODFk/v-deo.html&ab_channel=nerdxr
Ha! Pink. I love it!
You're awesome and so helpful, thank you!
Thanks, Greer! 😊
Thank you for starting this conversation, Wendy. It's something many of us can use more awareness around.
Thanks, Marianne for the comment! 😄
Thank you for this very important conversation. I am facing these issues with my travel memoir to other continents.
Glad you found it helpful, Sue! Thanks for the comment.
Always a blessing. Thank you❤️
Thank you, lovely Joelle!
Found this interesting as I have just written a scene where it included myself, a white kid, and James, a black man. I used the word black because in South Africa, this is how people describe themselves, and others. You are either white, black, coloured, indian or Asian. It is quite difficult for people outside the country to understand this, especially because of apartheid. In fact, it was Apartheid which first created these legal descriptions and which have carried on. Even Nelson Mandela once told a journalist, that he is a black man. I needed to use the word black for James, as it was during the Apartheid era, it was violent, and it was black against white. I could have said he was Xhosa, but that would not have as much of an impact. Which is where you mentioned it in tip 6. Where it has relevance. Thanks for this, as it will help with the rest of my writing when it comes to travelling and living in South East Asia. However, in Malaysia they also separate themselves as the three cultures: Chiense, Indian and Malay. It all gets quite complicated.
This is such great background information. This goes back to the idea of putting race in context. Don't shy away from this. Instead, explain the difference between coloured and black in South Africa and how being Xhosa fits into this. You have so much interesting information to work with. Dive into it and it will make for a richer book.
This is great. I have been thinking about this because a huge part of the story I am writing includes scenes from when I was incarcerated in Baltimore city jail. There was a very interesting dynamic between the inmates, who were mostly black, and the corrections officers, who were all native Africans (this is where I want to be careful). I feel like saying "African accent" sounds stupid and distasteful. The language barrier added to the feeling of powerlessness that I already felt from being incarcerated. I have such vivid memories of the officers saying things to me in that accent and I want to be able to convey it a way that is charming and comical. Just some food for thought, maybe you have some ideas of how to go about this? :) I love your videos.
Thanks for this nice comment, Kimberlyn! Honestly, this is such a great sentence: "The language barrier added to the feeling of powerlessness that I already felt from being incarcerated." I might say that exact thing in your book.
Also, instead of "African accent," which is probably too broad since there are so many countries in Africa, you could be specific. "She was from Nigeria and spoke with a heavy accent."
lots of good points, but you lost me a bit on the nationality point. not entirely convinced nationality is any more meaningful, and doesn't play into pre and misconceptions, than race. And the point about American really lost me, that somehow being American is less useful than being Malaysian or Canadian or Ozzie.
But I agree with the basic point: bring up race when relevant and do so in a relevant way.
I didn't say that being an American is less "useful." I said that you shouldn't assume someone isn't an American just because they aren't white. You can be an American and Asian at the same time. So asking someone who is Asian where they are from can be insulting.
Having said that, thank you for taking the time to comment. These are my own reflections but I think that this is a dialogue that I too can learn from. I wanted to get the discussion started, not claim to be an authority on this.
@@memoirwritingforgeniuses yeah, I get the 'where are you from' point. My point is there is nothing particular about being an American, in this context. You can be an American and Asian, a Malaysian and white, a Norwegian and black.