Creating characters of color, especially those outside one’s own ethnic group, is an issue most writers will grapple with at some point in their careers. While we’ve all heard the horror stories of cultural appropriation and the argument that such efforts sometimes negatively impact people of color sharing their own stories, we rarely discuss what the artistic community can do to craft narratives that effectively incorporate race and ethnicity into authentic extension of character—and how to do so with respect and sensitivity! This session will focus on this effort by fostering a discussion about the 13 common cultural tropes to bend, break, and banish as well as providing five action steps to ensure each representation sincerely serves the story, not some publisher’s wish list.
