#poc representation

[owldalek]

Okay, something which I’ve been thinking about a lot is the relationship between Rusty Quill and the fans and how they’ve chosen to transition main characters from The Magnus Archives to The Magnus Protocol. I was going to write an essay in this, but my co-author went missing for a week and ultimately my class assignment had to be changed to the Doctor Who and Disability essay yall have already seen.

What I mean when I talk about the relationship is that Jonathan Sims, the Archivist, is most commonly, though not unanimously, portrayed as South Asian despite being given no character descriptions alluding to such in TMA. When asked about this most people who responded to my post stated that this was likely done in order to diversify fan art and South Asian was the most likely POC demographic to be found in London.

In The Magnus Protocol we are given Sam as our main protagonist, or at least the entryway to the series. Like Sims, Sam has a past with the Institute, or with the entities which the institute studies. Sam is also explicitly written as South Asian and voiced by a Pakistani voice actor. I find this very interesting because it almost feels like the Rusty Quill team is responding to fan Jonathan Sims depictions and giving us a South Asian character because we seemingly want that representation. However, there has not been an outpouring of fanart and enthusiasm over Sam the same way that Sims had and continues to have. Alice is the favorite character, which makes sense she’s a trans badass voiced by a trans badass.

However, according to my co-author, who has reappeared, he is fine, dw, who is Pakistani, and looks almost exactly like all fan Jon depictions he feels this shows that the fandom wants the South Asian aesthetic, but not an actual South Asian character. He points to the fact that any fan works rarely contain allusion to a South Asian background. It’s more important to the fandom that he’s gay, then the fact that we’ve made him Desi. I think this is also why Alice is so popular as a trans woman, than Sam as a (seemingly straight) brown man, and as a fandom we really need to evaluate whether we actually want diverse racial representation in these works or if we just want to feel better about ourselves for retroactively making a character South Asian.

Of course, Sam’s lack of popularity can be due to a number of factors such as character type, dialogue, and shipability. Between the two Alice is much more dynamic of a character, and her combative nature makes for many an enemies or rivals to lovers AU, and similarly her obvious care for Sam is very compelling. But I think it is something that we should think about when there seems to be such a blaring connection between fan response and content output.

[p0rk-guts]

Kinda sick and tired of black characters and other characters of color being made to look like white people with a skin tint. Give POC dark eyes!!!! Give them ethnic features!!!! Give them dark hair!!!!! GIVE THEM HAIR TEXTURE!!!!!! I promise you it's not that scary

[random-doctor-on-the-internet]

I'm french and like many people here, watched the ceremony out of pure spite. Was I surprised? No. Fucking annihilated.

It had EVERYTHING:

- Random kids carrying the flame

- Gays.

- French cancan't

- Furries

- Lady Gaga???

- Craftspeople and public workers

- Bloodshed, cannons and a metal band

- Masked genderless silhouette parkouring their way through the whole mess

- More gays

- Polyamory

- Non-binary dancers and actors

- POC dancers and actors

- Disabled dancers and actors

- Whatever the fuck was going on with those poles

- Lesbian kiss?

- France's most hated rapper singing a song written entirely in slang in front of THE FUCKING INSTITUTE DEDICATED TO THE FRENCH LANGUAGE?

- Her being accompanied by the National Guard orchestra.

- Gays. SO MANY gays.

- MINIONS???

- Hundreds of top quality instruments getting fucked up by the rain.

- Drag queens, opera dancers, fashion designers and...oh, yeah, Alsace.

- National icon Philippe Katherine but make it blue

- 100 years long horse ride

- Damn that armor's looking fine

- Giant balloon ascending to the sky and...just fucking staying there cause they had nowhere to put it

-Did I tell you about the gays?

Holy fuck.

I'm flabbergasted. I'm bamboozled. I'm lying dead on the ground, holding my last breath.

I mean yes, it was funny. Yes, it was strange. Yes, it gave France a super weird reputation.

BUT DO YOU REALISE THAT THE DESIGN COMMITTEE JUST SAW THE RISE OF OUR EXTREME CONSERVATIVE PARTY AND DECIDED TO THROW A MASSIVE "FUCK YOU" AT THEM???

I think I'm in love. Call me french in training.

[blushingamethyst]

Hot Take:

If you’re the type of person who complains about poc writers only writing for poc readers you’re weird.

Like I get it, you go to a new fandom wanting fics and can’t find ones that represent you, but that doesn’t mean you get to bother these lovely people. Fan fiction is free, don’t be a choosy beggar.

For the longest time fan fics have been, for the most part, written for skinny white women. And personally I see the expansion of readers to be a wonderful addition to the community as a whole.

Being able to make the fics that represent you is really fun.

But I really hate to see people complaining about specific reader types. Especially poc readers.

And this is coming from someone who is white. For me I’ve always struggled with fics because I’m not thin, so seeing all the wonderful chubby/fat reader fics makes me so happy. And I’d imagine it can feel the same for those who aren’t white, finally getting the wonderful fanfic they deserve.

Some people need to realize that not everything has to be catered to them.

Let poc writers have their fun and just scroll by if it’s not for you.

[writingwithcolor]

I’m afraid my character has stereotypical traits. How do I avoid making them a caricature?

Is your character composed of several stereotypical traits, or is it just the one? Are they allowed to act and think in ways that are not confined to stereotypes? The more three-dimensional your character is, the less they are defined by the stereotypes.

One strategy that works in some cases is the “offset” character. This refers to weakening character A’s stereotype by including a character B of the same identity who isn’t stereotypical in that way. Say you have a selfless, “motherly” Black woman who looks after the cast. In addition to developing her own arc and her own desires, try adding a Black woman character with 0 maternal instinct who goes full steam ahead with her goals.

Trace your logic as to why you decided to give certain traits to a character of a certain identity. Our aptly named #trace your logic tag contains examples where we prompt the asker to interrogate their intentions behind certain ideas. Try to ask yourself the same questions.

Further reading:

Tropes and Stereotypes

Stereotyped vs Nuanced Characters and Audience Perception

---

This Q&A is an excerpt from our General FAQ for Newcomers, which can be found in our new Masterpost of rules and FAQs. For more advice on writing with diversity, start there!

-Writing With Color

[witha-boxofscraps]

Quick reminder for those who seem to be forgetting because I’ve seen a concerning amount of fan casts for Louella McCoy…LOUELLA IS POC. SHE IS A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD PERSON OF COLOUR. THE CHILD THEY USE TO REPLACE HER IS FROM DISTRICT 11- A PREDOMINANTLY BLACK DISTRICT. THE CAPITOL DO NOT SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO LITTLE BLACK GIRLS AND THAT IS THE SOCIAL COMMENTARY. I understand Haymitch’s appearance being up for debate as the movie casting differs largely from the book description BUT DO NOT TAKE THIS AWAY FROM LOUELLA (and Lou Lou of course).

[sweetbananachips]

just posting this bc as tired as I am fucking talking about this and continuously seeing people refuse to understand the perspective of POC on meljay, i still want to share it.

because it’s important to me that this interracial couple (that isn’t just POC x white for once) actually exists and has so much to it, with two characters who are mischaracterized to hell and back and are so overhated (especially regarding their relationship/dynamic with a white character)

this has honestly been the most exhausting hyperfixation i’ve ever had. the misogyny and racism surrounding them is just so blatant — even trying to curate my fandom experience barely works bc people will infiltrate mel/meljay fan spaces to express their distaste for them

i genuinely cannot wait for when my brain lets go of Arcane and i can laugh off how fucking intolerable this fandom was

[ashblooddragons]

My Tears Ricochet

This was requested by @feelingsandemotionsnotexplored I know it isn't exactly what you asked for but I hope you like it none the less

Summary: You and Daemon are in a failing marriage, whispers follow you everywhere you go. Whispers that speak of his infidelity. And when you confront him of these rumors will it end everything or will it bring you back together.

Word Count: 2461

Warnings: inner turmoil, rumors of Daemon cheating (though he never did), argument, marital problems, angst, tell me if I missed anything

My nails dig into my palms as whispers and glances are thrown my way. 

It started when my husband and I, the Prince Daemon, got into our first quarrel that led us down this road. 

It was over something so small, well at least in his eyes. He had spilled wine on my dress with no idea how expensive it was. 

The silks had been made by the finest fabric maker in Myr, and that alone made the dress absurdly expensive, and then on top of that, it was a gorgeous light purple with diamonds, sapphires, and pearls sewn into the bodice and the embroidery was pure gold thread. 

I could have forgiven him, it was a mistake and everyone makes those. But when my dear, dear husband laughed at the irreversible stain, I saw red. And on top of all this, the dress had been a gift from my Father for my nameday. So to hear my husband laugh at such a mistake, and then roll his eyes when I explained my frustration, I was less than pleased. 

But I should have known that was only the beginning. That the dress was only the beginning of the end. 

I should have known that instead of trying to work on our marriage, he would instead decide to warm the bed of his niece. Nor should I be surprised she would let him, for if she can birth two bastards and claim them to be my brothers, then why wouldn't she let another man other than her Strong join her? 

I can handle the glances, the whispers, but when I see people start laughing under their breath is when I've had enough. I pick up the skirt of my dress and rush up the stairs towards my shared chambers with Daemon. Not fast enough for the court to have their laughs and know they hurt me, but also not slow enough not to make a point. 

When I enter our chambers I find it the way it's been for at least a moon. The bed is only slightly used on the left side, and the blue velvet settee with a thin quilt and two plush pillows. I know that even though he sleeps here at night he still has plenty of time to visit a whore or his darling niece. 

“My Lady.” I hear my son's Nursemaid say as she gives a clumsy bow as she holds my little boy. 

“Hello Dahlia.” I say to the mousy girl. Her hair is a dull red almost seeming brown in certain lights. Her face is pudgy with freckles spotting all over her face and arms. But what makes her stand out is her eyes, the most beautiful sage green. You could almost smell the scent of bark and foliage when you look at them. 

“The little Prince has just finished his feed if you wish to hold him?” She asks when Daelor starts to whimper and squirm in her arms. 

Always a Mama's boy. I think, taking my son into my arms. 

He is such a sweet little thing, only six moons old and yet already knows who his favorite is. Though I have heard that Targaryen boys tend to prefer their Mothers. 

I take in his sweet cherubic cheeks that have a slight rosy tint to them. His soft silver curls that are untameable though I would never want to. But most of all his eyes, a soft periwinkle that matches my own. Everything about his coloring from skin, hair, and eyes shows that he is mine. But his features are of his Father's. From the strong straight nose, to his brow that always seems like he's ready to scold you. It is clear he is mine and my husband's son. Not even Rhaenyra can try and deny that. And she has only to try and protect her sons. 

I hear the faint creak of the door open followed by the soft steps of Dahlia leaving me so I may spend time with my little boy. 

“Nine moons you were in me, and yet you are practically a clone of your Father.” I jest as he moves to touch my hair.

I figured out quickly why most mothers have their hair pulled up tight and out of their babes reach, for though they are small they have grips that rival the greatest and strongest knights.

He starts babbling, looking around the room and pointing at things. It almost seems like he's telling me about his day.

“Oh, well that all sounds wonderful.” I say to which he nods, resting his head against my chest. 

“What sounds wonderful?” I hear from behind me. There is no denying who the voice belongs to. The deepness missed with amusement only matches one man. 

My husband. 

“Our son was just telling me about his day, that is all.” I respond, turning around watching as he undoes his jerkin sliding it off so only the rich red undershirt is left. 

He gives me a strange look before looking at our son and a joyful smile plasters itself on his lips. 

“I do not think that is true, my wife, the boy can't even say Mama or Papa.” He jests but his words sting. 

He never called me ‘Wife' until two moons ago when everything started falling apart. There wasn't a night where we didn't have a screaming match only for it to end in cold silence as the other slept across the room. 

I wish I could say that's when the whispers of him visiting brothels or his niece started, it would make more sense. But sadly it isn't, two moons, it was two moons after our son was born when they started. And that's when the whispers started who knows when he truly started warming others beds. I always knew my husband had a high appetite, I myself was his meal of choice, but I never thought he would be so cruel as to find others so soon after our son's birth. That he couldn't wait a couple moons for me to heal. 

Though I suppose I should've known. Everyone warned me, even ladies I had never spoken to had said he would only pump a babe into me and then find another. I didn't believe them, and when his desire for me only grew as my belly swelled I knew they were wrong. But that joy soon came crashing down like a freezing bucket of ice water.

I'm brought back to the present when I feel a tug on my arm. I turn to see my Husband reaching for our son taking him from my arms. I know he is only being a father but I can't help the rage that fills my belly. He's embarrassed me after Daelor's birth, and yet he has the audacity to take him from me? I was the one who screamed and bled for a day and a half, I was the one who was ripped apart to bring the son he so desired only for him to rip my heart from my chest and stomp on it. 

All the pretty words, all the words of adoration, all the ‘I love you's’. I should have known, why didn't I know? 

“Where were you? I went to the training yard but you weren't there, was that not where you told me you would be at this hour?” I ask with such venom I see him almost flinch. 

“I was, though I had to cut my training short, I was needed in the city.” He responds with a nonchalant shrug before setting our son down on the floor by his toys. 

Now he won't even try to deny his visits to the brothel? Is this truly what has become of our marriage? I think as a silent tear rolls down my cheek. Though he would never know of it for his attention is on our son and not me, never me. 

“Of course.” I whisper before moving towards our, no, my bed and picking up my book from the side table. 

I can feel him staring at me, feel the way he assesses me. But I don't react, I refuse to. But his words are what makes me finally look at him in shock. 

“I don't know when things changed, or why, but I want to work on us. Why won't you let me?” 

I look down at my heralds for a moment, I need to decide if now is the time to confront him on his affairs. When I look up at him again, seeing the confusion and hurt across his face I know I must. 

“You act as if you didn't do this, as if you didn't run off to your niece or some whore. How long did it take you? A week mayhaps the very day our son was born.” I demand as tears threaten to fall but I refuse to let him know how much he's hurt me, how many tears I have shed because of him. 

He doesn't say anything, only picks up our son and opens the door whispering to the guard and then waits. I know what he's doing, he's calling for Dahlia, Daelor doesn't need to hear our screaming matches. 

It feels like only seconds but at the same time millennia until Dahlia has Daelor and walks away towards the gardens. 

Tis the farthest place from our chambers, he shouldn't hear us from there. 

I watch as Daemon shuts the door with a soft click. He doesn't turn to look at me, only looking at his hands with utter defeat. 

This is it, the moment our marriage will finally break completely. No more sweet words or soft touches, no more vows of devotion or I love you. The bridge will finally crash and burn into nothing but soot. I think as he finally turns to look at me. 

“And who had put such rumors in your head? Why would I go to a brothel? Why would I visit my niece? You know how I hate what she has done to the Targaryen name and yet you think I will follow her into bed? Do you truly think I have no restraint?” He asks, pain filling each word, as more tears begin to rim his eyes. 

I stand from my spot on the bed moving towards him. “Do not play me for a fool, Daemon! Everyone knows, they whisper it with each step I take. I can't leave these chambers without lords and ladies laughing and whispering behind my back. So do not play the victim, you have even admitted to going to a brothel! And your Niece has made sly comments here and there of how--how you will not desire me anymore.” I scream tears rolling down my cheeks. There is no hiding my pain anymore. I have bottled this up for too long, six moons is too long to hold this burden. 

He only stares at me before a curse leaves his lips. “I don't know what Rhaenyra has said to you, or the court but it is a lie. And when did I ever admit to going to a brothel?” He demands stepping closer. One more step from either of us and our chests would meet. 

“You said you went into the city, why not tell me? The only clear answer is you are hiding something.” I all but sob out, I know I must look like a hysterical mess right now but I can't find any reason to care. 

He freezes seeing all my hurt, every stab to the heart now open for him to pick apart and destroy me more. 

He sighs and looks down at his jerkin and I already know what is going to happen. He will slip it back on and leave to clear his head only to come back smelling of soot and wine. 

“I didn't mean to hurt you, I was trying to do something nice.” He says picking up his jerkin but instead of putting it on he reaches into one of the pockets pulling out a small box and something with a chain. 

“I thought– I thought maybe I could show I cared if my words didn't. You hardly let me touch you now, I can't speak without you becoming quiet and withdrawn. So I thought A gift might help mend things. But I see now it only fueled your mistrust.” He says as he clutches the gifts so tightly his knuckles turn white. 

I think about his words over in my mind, trying to find when it all changed for us. We used to be so perfect, we used to be inseparable. There were many at court who were jealous of the devotion my husband showed me. So when did we fall apart? 

I step forward taking his hand in mine before gently opening his hand. Inside is a gorgeous necklace, diamonds encrust each and every part but what holds my attention are the two dragons. One made of ruby and the other made of sapphire. 

Our mounts, Caraxes and Nightfyre. I think with a smile as I touch the intricately carved stones. 

“It's lovely Daemon, I love it.” I say looking up at him. I can see a faint smile Grace his lips before he opens the little box. 

Inside are matching earrings, a diamond on top and then our mounts made of stone warped around each other. Just like the necklace. 

“They are both lovely gifts.” I say tears slowly rolling down my face instead of the fast sobs. 

“I want to work on us, I want us to be together again. Not just in a room, but in our hearts. And if that means leaving the Red Keep, leaving my brother and family behind. I will, because I would rather have you and our little family than any of this.” He says, wiping my tears. 

I see now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, that maybe, just maybe we can be us again. That we can be in love once more. 

So all I can do is nod, as I hug him for what feels like the first time in ages. And he hugs me back. 

I know it's going to be a long road ahead, but now I feel like I'm not alone anymore.

“You still have a lot of explaining to do. And so do I, I suppose.” I say into his chest. 

I feel his chest rumble with laughter as he strokes my hair. “Then it's a good thing we have all the time in the world.” He responds and for some reason, at this moment, I've never felt more loved.

TAGLIST: @sugutoad @ilikefelines @classicsimpforaaronwarner @sachaa-ff @mmogurl @athzhowakar @baybaybear1 @themoonlitquill @thelastemzy

[sunnylovesgirlythings]

POV: you’re a blatantly and unambiguously Black coded character that the worst people alive will die on the hill is white/“raceless” because apparently liking a character not intended to be read as white is a fate worse than death to them.

[karma-uh]

I wish Mark Grayson had more Asian-american elements. We see slight hints of it in the house, and the features of his mom, but it really is all washed out by. Uh. Yknow.

I'm aware the major fuckin' theme of this show is fascism, and Mark is a direct product and victim of it, but man. I just want to see. Fuck. More evidence of what was oppressed, evidence of something else that makes him human.

I know we're supposed to contribute so much of his being to being a Viltrumite, but he's still half human, no matter how dominant Nolan's genes. Man. I'd be more content if he even just looked more like Debbie.

Someone could write fics about this. Pspspsps.

[aromantic-fae-witch]

I made this blog to yap about whatever and post about beautiful aesthetics. But now this is just an aromantic asexual blog lol. Because I'm so happy with realizing I'm aromantic!! It feels so good dude. It feels so right and so liberating

[mangaloversolar2000]

The Owl House vs. Amphibia: BIPOC Representation as a POC Viewer

Okay so I’ve been sitting with this for a while, and as a POC myself, I really want to talk about how The Owl House and Amphibia approached BIPOC representation—because honestly? Amphibia did it way better.

Let’s start with The Owl House. Luz is a Dominican-American girl, right? But it really felt like her cultural identity was just there. Like, surface-level (not saying this is a bad thing but I wish her background was explored more). She’s brown-coded, yeah, but the show barely explores what that means for her. There’s a few references (her mom, her name, the occasional food mention), but it never felt like her heritage shaped who she was or how she saw the world. Luz could’ve been literally any background and the plot wouldn’t change. That’s a little disappointing for a POC main character—it feels like the representation was more of a checkbox than something fully integrated into her story.

Now contrast that with Amphibia. Anne is Thai-American, and it shows. Her culture is part of her character in a natural and loving way. We see her family, we see Thai food, the language, traditions, even a whole episode set in a Thai temple in LA. Her identity isn’t just an aesthetic, it matters to who she is and how she moves through both Earth and Amphibia. It’s never forced, it just is. THAT’S representation.

And I’m not saying Luz isn’t important representation—she is. But as someone who’s always hungry for deeper, more authentic stories about people like me, Anne’s journey just hit so much harder. She felt real. Luz, while a fun and quirky protagonist, just didn’t have that same level of depth when it came to her identity as a young woman of color.

Compared to Anne’s cultural depth, Luz often felt more like a character with BIPOC aesthetics rather than fully realized representation. It wasn’t entirely absent, but for a groundbreaking show with an openly queer Latina lead, the lack of a deep cultural presence was a missed opportunity. The Owl House did incredible work with LGBTQ+ representation, but imagine if Luz’s Dominican identity was explored with the same level of care that her queerness was. That would’ve been everything.

Anne’s story wasn’t about being Thai, but her Thai identity was always present. Luz’s story, however, didn’t integrate her Dominican identity as naturally—it felt more like a label rather than a lived experience. That’s why Anne’s representation felt more effective (to me at least); it was simply part of her, without having to be a grand statement.

Anyway, this isn’t about tearing down one show or putting the creators on blast. Both shows did so much for queer and BIPOC kids in animation. But I do think it’s okay to want more.

Would love to hear what others think.

[predictablesloth]

❗️The Election & Representation in Film❗️

Aka we're about to loose all our queer rep.

-> Before November 6, after the Agatha All Along finale, I told my friend that no matter my opinion on the last episode, I was taking it as a win, because the Agatha/Rio kiss could be the last sapphic, live action kiss to air on television.

-> Because the far right politicians who will soon control our government approve book bans in their respective states, there's every reason to suspect that they'll try to pass bans on the gay ass content Hollywood puts out.

-> If you can, get cds or dvds (or torrents, ends justify the means) of your favorite queer, feminist, and generally social justice-oriented digital media, such as music, movies, and tv shows. Documentaries and children's programs especially.

-> If you have the means to, purchase them directly from the source to show monetary interest.

-> If you want that renewal, that next season, to see a ship get together finally, or just to not get brainwashed by white supremacists, then join in the fight.

-> Otherwise, it won't just be homophobic executives blocking projects, the law will be too.

[m1ster1e]

Scared to write about Tadashi's culture after I experienced reading Miguel O'hara fanfics as a Mexican. Like I had to cringe through 754,832,495,732 cariños and people confusing Spanish food for Mexican food, what if I become the very thing I sought to destroy? What if I write about Tadashi teaching the reader a language they already speak?! Or trying their own cultural practices for the first time?!

[writingwithcolor]

WritingWithColor FAQ: How do I start writing a character of color?

First, be mindful that no race, culture, or ethnicity makes one inherently predisposed to certain emotions or personalities, despite what stereotypes or TTRPGs may suggest. We are all humans who share the same range of emotions and ways of thinking, even if we have different values.

Understand that there is no single template for a good [race, ethnicity] character. A person’s social, economic, and geographical background influences their life and values just as much as their race, culture, or religion. Consider: a Black American boy who grew up in a California mansion versus a Black American boy who grew up on an Illinois cornfield versus a Black boy who grew up in an apartment one city over. All three will have very different privileges, disadvantages, and outlooks on life.

Further reading (WWC x NaNoWriMo):

The Do’s of Writing PoC

Properly Coded: Creating Characters of Color

3 Ways to Show a Character's Culture

---

This Q&A is an excerpt from our General FAQ for Newcomers, which can be found in our new Masterpost of rules and FAQs. For more general resources on POC representation, check it out!

-Writing With Color

[pastel-kaleesh]

Here with another Vivziepop critique post with something that has bothered people for a while: skin tones!!

Disclaimer: I am not counting characters designed by Viv's POC employees, just the woman herself.

All of the skin tones here were snatched from official media, no fanart, no edits, for both HellaVerse and DB. I know that from the 80s to early 90s, DB gave Black characters donut lips, until the late 90s, where we got some better, non-offensive designs. All of the DB skin tones were snatched from the non-donut lip characters. I really love how none of the skin tones from DB are the same! And the fact that they are colors of actual skin tones makes it better!!! The 13th one is the one that is like mine. Can you see if any match yours?

Here are some of my favorite examples of skin diversity in DB:

Look at this!!! ☝🏽

Thank you for listening to my tedtalk, until next time.