Embracing Authenticity: The Nuance of Diversity in Character Creation

In the ever-evolving landscape of literature, the push towards more inclusive and diverse narratives has illuminated a crucial conversation among authors and readers alike. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of storytelling, I’ve observed an essential distinction that merits discussion: the difference between authors incorporating a diverse cast of characters and authors writing main characters with identities not shared by their own. This distinction isn’t just about ticking boxes for inclusivity; it’s about the depth, authenticity, and responsibility embedded in our narratives.

Beyond the Surface: Diversity in the Supporting Cast

Incorporating a diverse cast of characters is undeniably a step in the right direction toward more inclusive storytelling. It acknowledges the rich tapestry of humanity, ensuring that the world within a book mirrors the vibrant diversity of the world outside it. This approach can sometimes skim the surface, treating diversity as a backdrop rather than the narrative’s core. However, this approach can be the best thing an author could do to have diverse representation in their books. Still, an author should approach this with care less their characters risk falling into the realm of stereotypes or becoming mere tokens if not developed with nuance and depth.

Creating a diverse cast requires more than filling in slots with different ethnicities, genders, or sexual orientations. It demands a thoughtful exploration of these characters’ backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, ensuring they are fully realized individuals, not defined solely by their identities, just as humans are. It’s about giving them agency, allowing them to impact the story in meaningful ways that resonate with readers from all walks of life. Sometimes, an author doesn’t just want to have a diverse cast; they want to write from a BIPOC or diverse point of view. This approach carries its own methodology.

The Deep Dive: Writing Main Characters Outside the Author’s Identity

The endeavor of writing a main character with an identity that diverges from the author’s is a deep dive into uncharted waters. It’s an exercise in empathy, research, and humility. This process involves a profound commitment to understanding the lived experiences of others, acknowledging the limitations of one’s perspective, and embracing the vulnerability of making mistakes.

This approach doesn’t come without its challenges and controversies. The debate around “writing the other” is fraught with concerns about appropriation, accuracy, and authenticity. However, if approached with sensitivity, thorough research, consultations with individuals who share those identities, and consent from the community, authors can craft narratives that broaden horizons and foster empathy. These stories can offer readers a window into the experiences of others, contributing to a more empathetic and understanding world.

My Opinion

I will admit that I am against writers creating main characters outside their identity. I believe that it takes away from the community as there are writers in that community who, with support, can portray their people in fiction and nonfiction accurately and with the nuance it deserves. Whenever I see this subject discussed on social media, it reminds me of American Dirt.

I first heard about this book because I follow Myriam Gurba on social media, and her review revealed its inauthenticity. From that review, I researched further and found that others who share the identity of American Dirt’s main character agreed with Gurba. I am of the mindset that when someone from that community tells you how they feel about something or someone who antagonized their community and/or culture, you believe them. So I didn’t buy the book. I didn’t read the book. I also didn’t have to because if I want to read about a fictional or nonfictional account of an immigrant who crosses the border, I can read:

1. We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
2. Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher
3. Solito by Javier Zamora
4. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
5. We Were Here by Matt De La Peña

I know there is so much talent within the community who has lived through this experience that I do not need to read a fictional story from an outsider. If I can sum it up best, I don’t read military fiction because I have and still am living that life and it would annoy me to my core to read an inaccurate account of a military main character. I would DNF the book. Still, I know other people have a different point of view from me.

I also know that I don’t control others’ behaviors, and there will be authors who choose to create characters outside their identity or lived experience, so thinking outside my own opinion, I compiled some pros and cons:

Pros

1. Promotes Diversity and Inclusion: Writing outside your identity can help fill the gaps in representation, giving voice to characters from diverse backgrounds that readers may not often see.
2. Fosters Empathy and Understanding: It can be a powerful tool for building empathy among readers by presenting experiences and viewpoints different from their own, encouraging a deeper understanding of others’ lives and struggles.
3. Expands Creative Horizons: For authors, venturing into narratives outside their immediate experiences can be a creative challenge that pushes their boundaries and enhances their storytelling capabilities.
4. Encourages Research and Learning: It necessitates thorough research and learning, pushing writers to engage deeply with cultures, histories, and experiences beyond their own, enriching their knowledge and awareness.
5. Supports Cross-Cultural Dialogue: By exploring and sharing stories from various identities, writers can contribute to a more inclusive conversation, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.

Cons

1. Risk of Perpetuating Stereotypes: There’s a significant risk of reinforcing stereotypes if writers rely on surface-level understanding or clichés, potentially doing more harm than good in representation efforts.
2. Authenticity Concerns: Capturing the true essence and nuances of experiences outside one’s identity is challenging. There’s a fine line between representation and appropriation; failing to portray characters authentically can lead to criticism.
3. Taking Space from Marginalized Voices: When writers from dominant groups publish stories outside their identity, they may inadvertently take opportunities away from writers with lived experiences in those identities, who may struggle for visibility in the publishing industry.
4. Backlash and Criticism: Writers can face backlash from communities and readers if they feel their identities are misrepresented or exploited. This can affect an author’s reputation and the reception of their work.
5. Emotional and Ethical Responsibility: There’s a heavy responsibility to ensure accurate and respectful representation. Missteps can cause distress and harm to the portrayed communities, weighing on the author’s conscience.

The Balance of Power: Responsibility and Authenticity

The crux of this discussion hinges on the balance of power—between representation and appropriation, authenticity and assumption. Authors wield significant power in shaping narratives and, by extension, influencing perceptions. With this power comes the responsibility to portray characters with the depth, dignity, and complexity they deserve.

Writing main characters with identities not shared by the author isn’t a venture to be taken lightly. It requires an ongoing commitment to listening, learning, and adapting. It’s about acknowledging when it’s time to step back and amplify voices from within those communities, especially regarding own-voices narratives that bring an irreplaceable authenticity and authority to their stories.

Navigating the Chosen Path Carefully

So, where do we go from here? The journey towards more inclusive and authentic storytelling is ongoing and ever-evolving. As authors, we must continually challenge ourselves to explore new perspectives while recognizing our experiences’ limits. We should strive to create a literary world as diverse and complex as the one we live in, recognizing the unique power of stories to bridge divides and connect us on a deeply human level.

To my fellow authors and creators who choose to write outside lived experiences and identity, I encourage you to embrace the challenge of writing outside your identity with care, respect, and an open heart. And to the readers, I urge you to support and seek out diverse narratives that challenge the status quo and enrich our collective understanding.

Ultimately, the stories we choose to tell and how we choose to tell them can either reinforce the barriers that divide us or help dismantle them. Let’s commit to the latter.

Who is your favorite BIPOC author championing diversity in their narratives? Let’s celebrate the trailblazers among us.