#avoid tokenism

[vivsinkpot]

Character Diversity Done Right: Beyond Tokenism & Forced Inclusivity

Diversity in storytelling isn’t just about ticking boxes or adding characters to look inclusive. It’s about creating real, nuanced people who enrich your world and resonate with readers. Let’s break down how to do diversity thoughtfully — without falling into the trap of forced inclusivity or the “token minority” trope.

✨ What Is Forced Inclusivity?

Forced inclusivity happens when diversity feels like an obligation instead of a natural part of the story.

Characters might be added just to meet a quota.

Their identities are mentioned but not explored or integrated meaningfully.

They often feel out of place or like an afterthought.

Why avoid it?

Because it can feel performative, shallow, or even disrespectful. Readers want authentic stories — not characters who exist only to “check a box.”

⚠️ The Token Minority Trap

A “token” character is often the only member of their group in the story, included to represent an entire community. They usually:

Have one-dimensional traits centered on their identity (e.g., the “sassy Black friend” or “nerdy gay sidekick”).

Are used to educate or explain cultural issues instead of being full characters.

Serve as a plot device rather than people with their own goals and flaws.

💡 How to Write Diversity Well

1. Make characters fully fleshed-out individuals.

Diversity isn’t just skin-deep or a label — it’s about who the character is inside. When you create a diverse character, ask yourself:

What motivates them? What are their dreams and fears beyond their identity?

How do their relationships shape them?

What quirks, flaws, or contradictions make them human?

This makes them feel real, not like a “diversity prop.” For example, a transgender character could be a talented detective who struggles with self-doubt, a funny sense of humor, and complicated family ties — not just “the trans character.”

2. Avoid stereotypes and clichés.

Stereotypes reduce complex people to a handful of traits. They can be harmful and alienate readers who identify with those characters.

Do your research! Read books, watch films, and listen to podcasts created by people from the community you’re portraying.

Avoid relying on common tropes like the “magical Native American,” “angry Black woman,” or “promiscuous bisexual.”

Give your character individuality that breaks expectations — maybe they defy norms within their own culture or identity.

Example

Instead of the “model minority” trope, write an Asian character who struggles with their own passions, insecurities, and family dynamics, making them a well-rounded person, not just a stereotype.

3. Include multiple diverse characters.

Having just one “diverse” character often makes them a symbol rather than a person. Real communities are rich, varied, and nuanced — and your story should reflect that.

Introduce more than one character from the same or different backgrounds to show variety.

Show how their experiences differ even if they share an identity. For instance, two queer characters might have completely different outlooks based on age, culture, or personality.

This avoids the “token” feeling and creates a more believable world.

4. Let diversity shape the world naturally.

In real life, diversity influences culture, language, food, traditions, and social dynamics. Your story world should feel lived-in and authentic.

Think about how diverse backgrounds affect worldbuilding — from holidays and cuisine to language and fashion.

Show interactions between communities, including cooperation, conflict, and blending of cultures.

Don’t just “drop in” diverse characters without integrating their identities into the story’s social fabric.

Example

In a fantasy city, different kingdoms might reflect distinct cultures with their own customs and dialects — giving your setting richness and depth.

5. Don’t make identity the only thing about them.

A character’s ethnicity, gender, or sexuality is part of who they are — but not the whole story.

Their identity can influence their worldview and experiences, but they should have other defining traits too — like ambitions, fears, or talents unrelated to identity.

Avoid writing characters whose entire personality or plot revolves around their minority status.

This lets readers see them as complex individuals, not just representatives.

Example:

A Black engineer who’s passionate about robotics and has a dry sense of humor — their race is important, but so is their love for tinkering and problem-solving.

6. Listen and learn from feedback.

No one gets it perfect on the first try. Writing diverse characters is a learning process.

Seek out sensitivity readers from the communities you’re writing about. Their insights can catch unintentional biases, inaccuracies, or harmful stereotypes.

Be open to constructive criticism and willing to revise your work.

Remember: it’s better to listen and grow than to defend mistakes that could hurt readers.

Final Thought

Diversity is about inclusion and respect, not obligation or tokenism. When you write with empathy and intention, your story becomes richer — and your characters become unforgettable.

💬 Got tips or experiences writing diverse characters? Drop them below or tag me — let’s learn and grow together!

[xiaq]

Me: I wear noise-canceling headphones when I do my grocery shopping so I can listen to music and not get overstimulated. 🎧😌

The music I’m listening to:

[aquareegia]

Here is my updated smiling Vessel pokemon collection. Beware it's a long post lol.

[kismetconstellations]

@sockdooe, This is the full original image:

According to the Tumblr post I originally snagged it from, it's an early piece of promotional artwork, meant to depict Keith as the series's central character. Shiro is shoved into the background, presumably to illustrate that he was intended to fulfill a Doomed Mentor role.

[lexislazy]

looking at sleep token/vessel content got me feeling like a dog who sees food dropped on the floor but knows they shouldn't pick it up

[moonchild-in-blue]

The difference in tone between Emergence and the other two singles is so jarring when you listen to them back to back. On one second you're ascending to the 9th realm with Miss Gabi Rose's sax solo, on the other you're clutching your chest on the floor like a wounded animal of prey. Fun stuff.

[limerence-diaries]

I know all of the names for it:

- limerenece

- maladaptive daydreaming

- attachment wounds

I know how it works:

- dopamine

- obsession

- panic cycles

I knew it was happening:

- every silent cry into the darkness

- every sigh of relief

- every “thank you for coming back for me”

but even still, I wanted it to be real even it wouldn’t ever be love

[lullabykay]

just run it back, give me five whole minutes 🌙

[huntingteeth]

😭😭😭😭

[vesselenjoyer]

silly poll time because im curious

[stinkrascal]

ok now that thats out of my system. ONE DAY UNTIL DATV

[excelsior9173]

i think one of my favourite things about the sleep token fandom is the general consensus* to discuss and portray sleep as feminine

like the band has been consistently posting for years that sleep is “him” and use male terms and yet. like “and now he rests” things like that. the old tweets used to be a lot about “praise Him”

it’s really neat to me to see the different way of interpreting the lore/music

*(edit: consensus among the circles i run in fandom-wise)

[grahamcarmen]

He had it coming so that means anything goes(and they do mean anything)

This character is right and characters who don't immediately agree are dumb and wrong

The flaws don't need to be addressed because again theyre right and everyone else is wrong

How dare this character need an actual arc and that arc not take 30 seconds

The arc is just to accept another character is right and do whatever they say, complex feelings and dynamics of the character growing be damned

mentality in the show and fans just 🙃 it's my fault I decided to watch the tween show that plays at nuance without committing to it because they stumbled their way into the otp of all time by accident

[bakerstreethound]

Even In Arcadia is here 🤩

[marlynnofmany]

Do you have illustrations for your mottley crew of couriers? I think it’d be fun to meet Zhee, Paint, the other crewmembers who’s names I can’t remember, and the various Captains over the course of Robin’s trips.

I have sketchy drawings of some of them! I never did decide whether Heatseekers have those little head-fins or not, but it seemed right:

And I've drawn a few characters from the book, who are the same species as some of the courier ship crew:

Plus there are close to 20 comics that I drew well before writing the current short stories, which I'll say take place after those stories. (This has turned out to be a complicated timeline for a character I originally thought would just live in a couple pieces of flash fiction.)

(But it's worth it.)

Here, have a Strongarm in an Earth Holiday Sweater:

[copia]

question to anybody who would be willing to help; i'm trying to watch all messages that vessel has 'given' onstage (all recorded voices and deviations from the usual set etc) but am really reluctant to google it - last time i got full face reveal and government name within the first 30 seconds. so would someone here be able to direct me to any messages from vessel/sleep i might have missed?