In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, we've been talking about diversity in science fiction/fantasy this week. Why is this so important? Here are five reasons:
1. To challenge the tropes. Stereotypes such as the passive damsel in distress subconsciously teach women that this type of behavior on their part is expected, even preferred. But why should women always be weak or men never show emotions? That's not healthy for either gender. Everyone, no matter what your gender, race, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or favorite Beatle is, should be allowed to be himself or herself and not confined to a narrow range of behaviors.
2. So other people can see themselves in the genre. Speculative fiction may not be the best-selling book genre, but it does do well at the movies. However, movies are often targeted to adolescent males. Why not broaden the appeal by including many different types of people in these stories? If you look at cosplaying, you'll see that some popular characters can be reimagined as a different character or race without losing their essence. (Unfortunately, not everyone believes a black cosplayer can/should dress as a white character; please check out the link. I was tempted to post some of Chaka's images here, but I won't to respect her copyright.)
3. To reflect the real world. By the middle of this century, whites/Caucasians are predicted to be a minority. Therefore, when I write about the future, I feel the need to show a diverse range of ethnic groups. For example, in Twinned Universes, Paul's best friend and romantic interest are both part black, the leader of the time travelers is Hispanic, Sean's wife and son are Filipino, Julia Kee from TwenCen Earth is Navajo, and so on. Although Paul as Sean's clone is 100% Irish, his sister is part Filipino and Native American, although those ancestors are several generations back and play more of a role psychologically than genetically. It is a bit ironic that I wound up with a white male as the main character, though Scott does counter tropes by referring to Paul as his magical white friend.
4. To learn about others. Although Paul is the main character of Twinned Universes,the next book in the series will feature Julia instead. I have been researching the Navajo culture and the Navajo Nation to prepare for writing from her perspective. (She would refer to herself as Dine, with an accent on the "e.") I've learned a lot, but it is a bit intimidating trying to learn about the Navajo language (which I'm not sure I can write accurately). It would be great if I knew someone I could interview about this culture, but you can't expect one person to represent an entire culture either. In the end, I will have to do the best I can with what resources I can access.
5. To develop empathy. I recently read The Golden Theme, which emphasizes that despite our diversity, we are all still the same in our wants and our needs. That's what makes us human, and that's what allows us to develop empathy for someone else. Reading is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in someone else's world. As authors and as readers, let's keep spreading empathy. I have a dream that that is one way to make Dr. Martin Luther King's Promised Land a reality.
A group of independent science fiction/fantasy authors who support each other and share their love for the genre.
These are all good reasons, and tie into what I think about this (and may yet finish writing about): that diversity must (like everything else) serve a role in the story or movie.
ReplyDeleteYour point about cosplaying and reimagining might be even worthy of more development: imagining a character as a different race/build/gender/orientation might change the way the character acts, making him/her better or at least different. Your first point (that tropes are there to be broken) suggests that not all female or black or gay characters would act the same way, but certainly your orientation and upbringing affect how you look at things. Would an Asian woman who becomes Batman act/feel the same way? Maybe not. Worth thinking about.
Good points, Briane. If an Asian woman became Batman, why would she do so, and how would she change the role? I'd love to see the Doctor become either a woman or a POC. I think he'd learn more about life by doing that instead of always being a white male.
ReplyDeleteGood points, especially that by the mid-century whites will become a minority. That's not something we tend to think of, especially Hollywood casting directors.
ReplyDeleteI guess they better start thinking about it! It'll be interesting seeing what happens when that time comes.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the world goes, Caucasians are the minority and, really, always have been. Of course, Hispanics are rolled into "white" as far as race goes, so there will be changing perspectives there over the next generation.
ReplyDeleteDo Hispanics get white privilege, though? I think it depends on their appearance. And yes, if you travel outside of the U.S., you can experience what it's like to be a minority. I was definitely an outsider when I visited Japan in 2009.
ReplyDeleteSometimes. But it's becoming more and more and will continue to become more and more. They're this generations "Irish," which we don't remember, but there was a time when it was really bad to be Irish and being Irish wasn't considered being white. It's all a perspective thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen we get to the point where everyone's "white," then, maybe, we'll all get to be "humans."
I think the only way we'll all ever become humans is when we meet real aliens. It seems to be part of human nature to break tribes down into "us" and "them" groups, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI sort of think that, too. Which is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of things, Sandra. I agree a bajillion percent. I wish I'd thought of some of these things from yesterday's post. Well, not about your own stories, but just about challenging the status quo.
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