Well, I just finished a Teal'c centric story. And I try to include women and minorities as supporting cast when I can.
It's difficult sometimes, though, because if you've got a character who is just passing through, it sometimes feels awkward to point out the color of their skin. I don't do a lot of vivid visual detail in my writing, so I haven't figured out how to do that gracefully and still make it sound natural. You can toss in ethnic names (Sanchez) or an accent, but accents are hard to do, too.
I do have to wonder if the lack of diversity in fanfic is a reflection of true prejudice or more one of oversight (and comfort). Is it a matter of "only the pretty white people count" or more "I am white and I am surrounded by white people, so that is what I am comfortable writing." I suppose you could argue that the latter is a form of (non-malicious) prejudice, but, to me, it doesn't necessarily reflect an attitude of superiority. It may just be thoughtlessness and/or a lack of awareness. Neither of which are good, mind you, but I think there is a difference between not understanding (or being uncomfortable with) "other" and actively disliking "other."
Whatever the cause, I agree completely that it is not a good thing, and it is a shame that most fanfiction does not provide a more diverse reflection of the world in which we live.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-06-13 03:38 pm (UTC)It's difficult sometimes, though, because if you've got a character who is just passing through, it sometimes feels awkward to point out the color of their skin. I don't do a lot of vivid visual detail in my writing, so I haven't figured out how to do that gracefully and still make it sound natural. You can toss in ethnic names (Sanchez) or an accent, but accents are hard to do, too.
I do have to wonder if the lack of diversity in fanfic is a reflection of true prejudice or more one of oversight (and comfort). Is it a matter of "only the pretty white people count" or more "I am white and I am surrounded by white people, so that is what I am comfortable writing." I suppose you could argue that the latter is a form of (non-malicious) prejudice, but, to me, it doesn't necessarily reflect an attitude of superiority. It may just be thoughtlessness and/or a lack of awareness. Neither of which are good, mind you, but I think there is a difference between not understanding (or being uncomfortable with) "other" and actively disliking "other."
Whatever the cause, I agree completely that it is not a good thing, and it is a shame that most fanfiction does not provide a more diverse reflection of the world in which we live.