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Persian-coded abusive parents, colorism, and Persian deities

@pokeblader3 asked:

Hi, in my story there’s a Persian-coded girl who is the rival deuteragonist of the story and has an emotionally abusive and degrading mother and father, and after acting out of internalized anger and guilt at herself, the girl gradually learns to heal from her abusive upbringing and become her own person, and begins to have a sort of “adoptive daughter” relationship with another deity who is also Persian-coded. I was wondering if this was playing into the stereotype of dark-skinned characters with abusive families too much, and if that was negated by her eventually finding a healthy mother figure who is of the same ethnicity as her and her birth family? If it helps, there are also many other characters of color in the story, including several with healthy family dynamics, such as the main protagonist and their parents who travel with them along the story.

I initially had some trouble understanding which stereotype you’re referring to. “Dark-skinned characters” is a very broad description that makes it hard to pinpoint any particular negative trope. After discussing this with my fellow mods, I can offer three potential pitfalls to look out for.

1. Negative stereotype: Abusive Muslim parents

This is a stereotype that exists in Western media and general consciousness, and which you probably want to avoid. If it’s important for your story that this character have abusive parents, then to avoid this stereotype, you need to make sure they’re not being read as Muslim. (Another reason to stay away from Muslim coding is that your characters are deities, more on this later).

The good news is that coding a character or culture as Persian doesn’t automatically mean you’re also coding them as Muslim. Not all Persians are Muslim, and Persian civilization long predates the Arab conquest that brought Islam to Persia. When creating a fantasy culture inspired by Persia, you can draw inspiration from one of the earlier Persian empires such as the Achaemenid or Sassanian empires, which were not Muslim.

The bad news is that it can be very difficult to parse which elements commonly associated with Persian culture today are from Islam, and which are not. In order to research this properly, you need some basic knowledge of both Islam and Persian culture, which will allow you to code your Persian characters and their culture in a way that doesn’t imply they’re Muslim.

Here are some examples:

- Names: Many common Iranian names today are of Arabic origin. To avoid coding your characters as Muslim, you would need to make sure you’re picking names that have a Persian origin. Check the etymology of the names you’re using. This also applies to place names and other words you may use in your worldbuilding.

- Writing systems: Today, Persian is written with (a version of) the Arabic alphabet, but this wasn’t always the case. Prior to the advent of Islam, Persian used other writing systems, such as the Pahlavi script. If you want your Persian-coded fantasy culture to have its own distinct language and alphabet, this is one of the things you’ll need to be mindful of.

- Cultural beliefs: Many cultural beliefs prevalent in Iran today didn’t exist prior to the Arab conquest. For example, the general cultural dislike for dogs (and the associated dog-related insults) is a by-product of Islam. Pre-Islamic beliefs held dogs in high esteem and considered them to be forces of good capable of protecting humans from evil spirits.

I’m mentioning these to give you an idea of the type of thing to be on the lookout for. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg, and I can only encourage you to do a lot of research, and be as precise in your worldbuilding as possible.

Additionally, if you’re writing for a western audience, you have to be aware that your readers, for the most part, will have little to no awareness of the diversity of South/Western Asia and North Africa. We all get lumped together into a vaguely brown, Arab, Muslim category. (Just look at the way Hollywood casts us interchangeably with one another literally all the time). So even stereotypes that technically only apply to a certain group get carried over to the other groups simply because readers think we’re all the same. Because of this, it’s not enough for you to decide your characters aren’t Muslim. If your coding remains vague, readers will make the association in their minds anyway, and the stereotype will get reinforced regardless of your intentions. Readers will see vaguely brown, Arab-adjacent parents being abusive, and this will slot itself into the subconscious “Muslim parents are abusive” box in their minds. So you have to actively work to make your portrayal of these characters and their culture to be as distinctive and nuanced as possible. If you include more than one South/West Asian-coded culture in your fantasy world, and take care to make them distinct from one another, this will help ensure you don’t have a single “brown” culture that will stand in for all the others in readers’ minds.

- Mod Niki

Another tip: a straighforward way I find helpful to avoid Muslim coding is (if the story allows it) having the character refer to something along the lines of “a group of people in such and such land that recites their holy scripture and follow a man named Muhammad”. It may seem lazy, but that way, the reader will automatically detach the character from anything Muslim related.

-Mod Asmaa

2. Harmful trope: Within a large cast, darker-skinner characters are more likely to be evil

This is a form of colorism that can be seen in a lot of media, and which you should avoid reinforcing. To do that, you can make sure that your book has characters who are darker-skinned than the Persian-coded abusive parents, and give them overall positive characteristics and roles in the story. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have some darker-skinned characters who play negative roles, but you have to be mindful of the overall trends. You probably want to do this on several scales, too. First look at your main cast, then at the secondary characters, then at everyone else in the story. At each level, make sure you’re not giving the lighter-skinned characters more positive characteristics and roles overall than their darker-skinned counterparts.

I want to emphasize that this particular trope has to do with colorism, which is discrimination based on skin color. Skin color is different from nationality, ethnicity or race. Two people can be from the same country, the same race, the same ethnic group, but have very different skin tones. Going back to your characters, the fact that they’re from a Persian-coded culture doesn’t mean you can only give them one set of physical characteristics. The Persian empires I listed previously spanned huge geographic areas and included many different ethnic groups. To this day, Iran is a very diverse country. Some Iranians have dark brown skin and coily hair. Some have epicanthal folds. Some have hooked noses. Some have red hair and blue eyes. You can code your characters as Persian while still having a lot of options for what they physically look like.

As always when representing a marginalized group, you want to make sure that you have more than one character of this group in your story. In your case, you’ll have several Persian-coded characters, some of whom will have positive roles in the story, to counterbalance the ones with negative roles. You’ll probably have other characters with negative roles who aren’t Persian-coded. Keeping colorism in mind, you’ll need to make sure that the evil characters, within each group and overall, aren’t darker-skinned than the good ones.

3. Persian deities

This last one isn’t part of your question, but worth touching on. You say that the character who becomes a healthy mother figure to your deuteragonist is a Persian-coded deity. This brings up the issue of religion. Whenever your worldbuilding involves deities (or any other kind of supernatural entity that real-life religions hold sacred), it’s important to ask yourself: 

What real-life culture(s) am I basing my fantasy coding on? 

What are the religious beliefs that have shaped these cultures? 

Is my worldbuilding consistent with those beliefs? 

What are the implications of associating these supernatural elements with this specific culture?

These questions are especially important to consider when you’re drawing inspiration from cultures that are marginalized, underrepresented or often misrepresented in western media. Like I mentioned previously, this is another reason to avoid coding your characters as Muslim. Islam is very firmly monotheistic and it wouldn’t make any sense to have Muslim characters who are deities. But even if you successfully avoid Muslim coding, you still have to consider religion.

Since I suggested basing your Persian-coded culture on one of the pre-Islamic Persian civilizations, there is a good chance that many cultural elements you’ll draw inspiration from will be influenced by Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism was the main religion of Persia prior to Islam and is still practiced today, mainly in Iran and in India, where some Persian Zoroastrians fled to avoid persecution after the Arab conquest. There is very little representation of Zoroastrianism in western media, and the few instances that exist aren’t particularly positive. If you’re planning to go in that direction, and your story involves deities, it would be important to educate yourself on Zoroastrian beliefs related to divinity to ensure you’re not writing anything offensive. If you can find some Zoroastrians to talk to about your worldbuilding, that would probably be the best way to go.

I’d like to open this up to any Zoroastrian followers: 

How would you feel about a story where some of the characters are Persian deities? 

Do you have recommendations, things you’d like to see, things you want to warn the writer away from?

- Mod Niki

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Book Monthly #1 - Starting to talk about all the books I’ve been reading

Intermezzo first!

Hello! :D Finally, I've got time to refurbish this blog after a year with less than a dozen reblogs and—that's it. Let's see, uh ... I don't know where to start... Oh, I've been active in Tumblr since, what, around the 2010-ish? I remember I've been re-blogging a lot of posts, especially Arashi and Kpop, and revamping the look of my blog a few times by fiddling w / those free Tumblr themes (omg bless the people who made them). I've also published a few short stories and sketches, but I don't know how these hashtags work on this site, soo ... Well, guess what? The engagements were very, very low. Aye, it's all right. Nobody knows my blog, anyway:)). It's like Twitter, folks! Babbling about your life ... But it's with less audience. Wait, is this similar to mental health group therapy? But with no face-to-face interaction, and not every single one of them really does care? Whaaa---

Okay, so(!), I've been trying to read a few books in my spare time from the beginning of last year until now. Not much, but at least my second language, English, has improved quite a bit. However, my grammar is still worse *sobs*. You can see the list of books that I've finished reading in my Goodreads profile (<- sidebar links on your left). But don't be disappointed because it's not a lot, and they’re mostly comics (lol). Oh dear, I read comics almost every night before I sleep;;;;

The books that’s been on my mind for these three months are: 

The Three-Body Problem by Lixin Ciu;

The Histories by Herodotus;

and that one book about Hellenistic Philosophy from Routledge. 

But for now, let’s talk about The Three-Body Problem:

(English and Chinese cover illustration of The Three-Body Problem novel that I personally liked and true to the story)

I really don't want to give so much spoilers in this post, but---God, I enjoyed The Three-Body Problem so much, exclamation marks five times. The revelation about the alien race that was planning to invade Earth was astounding. Especially the VR concept that was used as a medium to introduce Trisolaran history and culture. For a book released in 2008 and the story-setting was in the 70s or 80s(?), I guess it's kind of trend-breaking, imagining that hardware technology for VR games today doesn't go that far as in the book.

Um, his effort in interpolating each character's stories maybe not my cup of tea. Every paragraph was so complex, it's not sticking enough in my memory and I need to read the previous three pages to keep me informed. How he shaped the foundation of world-building in his books, such as the physics theories and all the science terms, made me, the ex-science student and now-BA in humanities, feel like a chore but still enjoyable. (Yeah, thank you for reminding me that I had Cs in physics and math in high school, good Sir.)

There's something I need to keep me going, to bait my curiosity in every chapter. However, that's not happening until, if I'm not wrong, in the first ten chapters? It's probably why I experienced a sense of... total surprise(!) when a particular character that I thought, 'Maybe their story is not that important? Should I skip this? Yeah let's skim it,' then ended up being a significant part of the story. Aaah-! I’m not a good reader, am I? 🙈 Okay, losing a little bit of details is manageable. Yes. That’s right. *sobs*

And, I've already been growing an attachment to this Wang Miao (the protagonist), but when I started to read the second book, I felt like the author was giving this character and the others as if they're all dispensable. Not all of them, but nearly all of them. And the second book didn't mention him at all, like how was it after the end of the first book? After all that commotion, did he have a peaceful life? Or do his descendants continue the legacy of protecting the Earth? (I'm still on page 70 LOL sry). But at least, one particular character continue to be his snob(?), confident self to guide another scientist to fight the aliens. (Yes, I’m a Da Shi’s fangirl :DD).

Nonetheless, I do recommend The Three-Body Problem if you want something a bit of realistic sci-fi. If you're bored with stories when an astronaut is stranded at a space station, or humans invade another planet looking for a second Earth, this might be a good reading for you. However, you're going to need a great persistence to finish this. Yes, let me cheer you up on this great journey. A new perspective is going to open for you!!! 🔥🔥🔥

Or you can wait for a series that is planning to be released on Netflix! Given that this story really needs great visual references (and the project announced this early September), I predicted it wouldn't be released for at least another two or three years. Yes, a fan can only hope for the best and not the flop. 

By the way, you know who's in charge of writing the script? Do you remember the duo from GoT that made the whole internet cry out in protest for the bad final season? Am I being pessimistic about them being in charge of my favorite book? Should I go start a petition to change those gentlemen? I---

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"ARASHI - Whenever You Call (Official Music Video)" を YouTube で見る

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the umbrella academy season 2 + who needs context?

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time to clean this blog *puff the dust*

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sensory

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RENO OF THE TURKS

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Roya-Allyn First Meet #2

   It was rather an awkward first meeting but eventually nice.

   He took her to--she convinced--his favorite side of town. He greeted some people while they both took a walk; the vegetable shop lady, the older kids whom he received sweets, the men in their thirties playing dice, and a younger kid who had just finished his part-time job. After leaving the older kids at the town square, Roya pulled out his hand to give her two pieces of candies after throwing berry-flavored one into his mouth.

"Want some?" He asked. His bangs were long 'till his eyebrows got covered, she thought, it's kinda cute actually. She stopped her small steps and staring at plastic-covered, translucent candies but no movements were made.

"It's okay, I already had a lot in my drawer," he added. Allyn moved her right hand to take them from his palm and nodded in thanks.

"The endorphin, like everyone used to say. I tend to eat it when I tinkering my robots or fixing everybody's stuff,"

"Robots?" she asked. She never had seen such a complicated mechanical object around town since she lived here. Her memories never recall such technology either.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "You didn't see it earlier?"

She shrugged her shoulders faintly. "I thought that was just you repairing things like, radio or something," she replied and feeling guilty to not paying attention at him better.

"Oh, that's my job too, but Pa never give me more difficult tasks than that," he sounded slightly dispirited. While they walk, Roya knocked a can with the inner side of his left feet until it jumped up to another side of the street, clanking and whanging lightly near wooden crates. "It's so exciting to create such an artificial living thing. I want to study it deeper and the truth is, our kingdom didn't have such a specialist, "

Allyn nodded in half-understanding. Boys could be this nerd if they loved their hobbies. "BTW, are you Sir Halberick's granddaughter or something?"

Her honey-like pupils rolled to the side while creating a slight surprise jolt from her small body. "Oh, nothing like that..." she amended quickly. “He took me in after the war. He'd been taking care of me since then.”

Roya's calm green eyes appeared to be frigid and slight doleful that second. He hummed ambiguously then murmuring in silent, "After that, huh. Never get enough of it," and continued to crunch sweets inside his mouth recklessly, shoved his gloved hands into the trouser pockets.

   Uneasy ambiances which prickling down between those two new-met teenagers started to tickle her sense of curiosity. She knew, more than half of total children who lived here were orphans, as a consequence of the late conflict two or three years ago. Apart from that obvious fact, he seemed to not giving too much opinion on it. Well, not that she's interested in that. She even didn’t remember the feeling of losing her parents. She budged her right hand up in idle and started to scrape candy's wrapper with her short nail. The plastic cover's edge was not seen, no matter how hard her nail grazing it. What a troublesome sweetmeat!

"Are you working part-time too?" he asked her. He started to switch his interest to her attempt opening the wrapper.

She paused her finger movement and looking up to think. "Uh, yeah. Starting next weekdays, I guess?" She answered vaguely.

“Oh... Which sector are you in?"

"I don't know. Gramps said I should meet Maggie to learn more. I'm so useless at this job, for not knowing anything,"

"Your first time in the business, huh... good luck, um--"

"Allyn,"

"Allyn? Is that your name?"

"Of course. I'm impressed on how you could have a chat and take a walk together with me in more than ten minutes without knowing my name,"

"Sorry." He coughed while looking sheepishly. "My bad habit,"

"Apology accepted," she smiled and held her laugh. "So, you joined the Petrireis too?"

"Sometimes, when I need money. Maggie knew me so well, so she always assigned me to far places for getting more bucks. Much money, many spare parts to buy. Even though in here they're more like a junk that brand-new parts," he said. His tone sounded like he's proud of his job.

"Is it fun to join it?"

   The auburn-haired young man eying her innocent stare with raised eyebrows. "Well, I think it's fun. You meet people and all. You'd get to know many places. Even though I prefer chatting with other mechanics than running around in town," he shrugged. "But these days, it's so rare to see them, y'know? I think they had been moved to Tragflache, for the sake of helping those damned Rothus. Maybe my father and I just lucky to not get caught--or maybe we're too down-to-earth to not get known in this town..."

"If my gramps knows your father, then you're famous too. In my opinion, though."

"Really? Well, Sir Halberick is amazing, so we're lucky to know him. I adore him so much."

   When they stepped in the border of Central Block, they accidentally stopped in front of a place. It's kind of shabby, with dimly lit room behind the dusty windows. Roya let out an 'Oh!' sounds, gestured the place with his index finger. "It's the main base," he added. Allyn trying to peek what's inside but it's too dim to view the place from afar.

"It's not that clear looking from here, isn't it?"

He sighed. "I don't have any appointments in there and I'm not in the mood to look at those packages still piling in a dreadful mountainous way, but... okay, let's take a closer look."

   His long steps echoing around the corridor while his hand lightly grasping her wrist to get closer to the base of so-called Petrireis. After another three steps, Roya pointed at the woman in her orange jumpsuit and bob-styled brown hair covered in a hat who organized dozens of boxes, mouthed 'Maggie' comically and grinned before a loud voice calling his name from inside. It seemed someone caught him making fun of her.

"Roya!"

   Roya switched his attention to that dull-looking window which divides the main street and the main room of the base. That waving hands excitedly shown from the man with thick-framed glasses and orange-blue jacket which stood behind transparent glass. She could hear a long whistle from her side and a similar wave copied by Roya.

"Hey, Tim!"

   Tim mouthed something similar like 'C'mere for a second, I need to talk to you.' while continuing to wave his hand. Roya moved back for a bit and pointing at himself. The guy with glasses nodded, furiously gesturing them to come closer.

"Probably had been banging his old computer this whole weekend," he told Allyn by turning his head a bit lower. "He gets itchy when it's broken,"

   The one whose Roya called Maggie before looked rather tired behind her huffs and sighs, but she vigorously scribbling down notes and counting how many boxes around her. She turned her head after lining up smaller size boxes in front of her then blinked when her eyes found a familiar figure arriving at her doorsteps.

"Oh, Roya, now isn't your shift to deliver packages, though?" she said, inclining her head in confusion while her mouth forming a circular shape.

Roya waved his right hand in front of his face, declining. "Nah, I don't want to if you offer it, anyway. I just got called by Tim," he replied. "Now we're here... why don't you ask something to her, Allyn?"

"Me?" She felt her voice squeaking like a rubber duck.

"Yes! It'll be better if you asking her questions now since this young lady is idle doing nothing,"

"Hey! I arranged packages for tomorrow shifts!" Maggie spat, her hands ready to throw him a newly arrived box of tapes.

"Is it okay?" Allyn grasped both her hands in confuse.

"Maggie, this girl is new here, you know Sir Halberick? She's his relative, granddaughter or something,"

"Ooh, then you know Calavi?" Allyn nodded. "What a coincidence! I'm her friend since school days!"

"You were young too before, huh--OUCH, it's hurt!"

"Shut up, troublemaker. Go see Tim in the office,"

   It was interestingly funny to see Roya threw Maggie a deathly glare while walking past the counter full of stamped boxes and rubbed his reddened ear roughly. Her views changed. No matter how negative the perception of his in her head, Allyn started to like this young boy and his antics. It's funny and playful yet he has another serious side in him. The older woman just clicked her tongue, hands-on hip, shouting another call of Tim's full name to get out from his lair.

"So... Allyn?"

Her train of thoughts broke again after countless mind-thinking and daydreams that day. "Yes, ma'am?" Allyn answered automatically. Maggie seemed a little bit surprised. She snorted and laughed at her response.

"No, no, don't call me that! That nickname makes me feel like an old lady. Just 'Maggie'," said the brown-haired young woman, smiling.

"Okay." Like a good student she was, Allyn nodded and tried to focus on what Maggie would say.

But, Maggie just straightened her body while putting her hands on the table, her face changed in slight curious vibe. "Now, before I tell you the details of our systems, can you tell me how's Calavi is doing?"

TBC

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My Couples Goals:

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09/08/2018

digital coloring and body proportion practice

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James Corden Kidnaps the Jonas Brothers and Reunites Them x

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♡

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The absolute contrast. One couldn’t even use the word Muslim… one calls it what it is, white supremacist terrorism.