Yo, nothing grinds my gears more than when some writers talk about wanting to do "colorblind" writing. They be out here like, "Oh, I didn't describe skin color at all in my book, so anyone could be anything. You're racist for assuming my characters are white." Nah, miss me with that tone-deaf BS.
Here's the thing, right? When they say they ain't mention skin color, what they don’t get is that there are so many implicit cues in their writing that tell me these characters ain’t Black. Like, I'm Black, and living in America has made me hypersensitive to figuring out if characters look like me. It's a skill I picked up just navigating this world. Writers can signal race without spelling it out, but when they try this "colorblind" approach, all it does is enforce a white default. It's hegemonic, straight up.
Firstly, race is a fundamental part of many people's identities. When you fail to acknowledge it, you’re erasing a significant aspect of who they are. For Black people, our skin color, our culture, our history—these are integral to our experiences and how we navigate the world. Ignoring race isn’t being inclusive; it’s erasing vital parts of characters’ identities and experiences. When characters are described as raceless, it often defaults to whiteness because that's the societal norm. This default erases the rich diversity that exists in the real world and perpetuates a narrow worldview.
Secondly, representation matters. When readers see themselves reflected in the characters they read about, it validates their existence and experiences. For Black readers, seeing characters who share their skin color, cultural background, and experiences can be empowering. It’s affirming to see someone like you being the hero, the love interest, or even just a complex individual in a story. It’s not just about seeing yourself in the story; it’s about feeling seen and valued in a world that often sidelines or stereotypes you.
Describing race adds depth and realism to your story. When you acknowledge a character’s race, you also open up opportunities to explore different cultural backgrounds, histories, and perspectives. This enriches your narrative and makes it more relatable to a broader audience. For instance, if a character is Black, mentioning their skin color, hair texture, and cultural practices adds layers to their identity and how they interact with the world around them. It brings authenticity and richness to your storytelling.
Let’s break it down. Names, for example, carry a lot of weight. If a character in America has the last name Freeman or Williams, chances are they're Black. Same with Chinese surnames for Chinese characters. These little things matter. Names like Hernandez, Nguyen, or Patel immediately give context to a character's ethnic background. You can't just ignore these nuances and expect readers to insert their own interpretation. It's lazy and disingenuous. Think about it—names are often one of the first indicators of someone's background. In literature, it’s no different. If you name a character "DeShawn," most people will visualize a Black person, just like naming a character "Mei" might indicate they're Chinese. It's subtle but powerful.
Noting skin color by contrast is perfectly fine, though describing skin color alone isn't always enough. You gotta consider facial features and cultural or religious garments. For instance, afro hair to Black folks can be a dead giveaway, even though there's incredible diversity within Black hair itself. Think about it: tight, loose, thick, thin, dense, light, heavy, springy, silky, sheen, porous. Describing these textures helps paint a vivid picture. Mention the style—whether it's braids, locs, twists, cornrows, bantu knots, or afros. Each style has its own history and cultural significance, and they can say a lot about a character without you having to spell it out. Facial features, like fuller lips or a broader nose, can be additional indicators. It’s not about stereotypes; it’s about reflecting the diversity within races accurately.
Engaging with a character’s culture is another way to show race. If your character is celebrating Chinese New Year and reflecting on what it means to them, we're likely gonna assume they're Chinese. Cultural context, like food, language, and house decor, can communicate a lot about a character's background. A character’s environment and how they interact with it can be telling. Maybe they're in a Black Student Union, or someone tries to recruit them to a school, club, program, or organization that pertains to their race. These little touches add depth and authenticity. Cultural practices, holidays, and traditions can be seamlessly woven into the narrative. For example, a character’s nostalgia over Kwanzaa celebrations or reminiscing about making tamales for Christmas provides rich, cultural context without explicitly stating their race.
The character's voice can reveal a lot too. They might casually mention something specific to their race or face micro-aggressions, hinting at their background. For example, a character might make a quirky or casual statement related to their race, or they might talk about a racial grievance or face racism or micro-aggressions. It’s all about integrating these details seamlessly into the narrative. How a character speaks, their choice of words, slang, and even code-switching can give away their racial background. For instance, a Black character might use African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in their dialogue, providing a cultural marker that doesn't require direct explanation.
Sometimes, it's okay to just state it. Saying a character is Black, Indian, etc., can fit naturally into the narrative without being jarring. Describing parents, what they look like, and how it compares to your character is another smooth way to indicate ethnicity. There’s honestly no shame in just stating a character is Black, Indian, etc. It’s like with any story detail; it should fit naturally as it may be odd to just blurt it without cause. Incorporating physical descriptions alongside their racial identity can be effective. For example, "Her father, with his dark brown skin and close-cropped hair, stood tall next to her fair-skinned mother."
In fantasy settings, describing Black hair when the terms don’t exist is still possible. It's a way to implicitly say what race a character is. In fantasy it's something readers can pick up on! Be descriptive—talk about tight, loose, thick, or springy hair. Mention braids, twists, locs as “neat rows of braids” or “thick, coarse hair pulled into rough locks.” Afro hairstyles can be described in a way that fits the world you’re building. For instance, Bantu knots could be described as “tiny twisted knobs,” cornrows as “neat rows of braids along her scalp,” and locs as “thick ropes of hair.” Using familiar terms in creative ways helps convey the style even if the specific word doesn’t exist in your world. Think of descriptive phrases like “her hair coiled tightly like springs” or “his braids were interwoven into a complex pattern across his scalp.” These descriptions are evocative and maintain the essence of the hairstyle without needing the exact term.
When you describe hair, think about textures and looks: tight, loose, thick, thin, dense, light, heavy, springy, silky, sheen, porous. Afro textures and curls can be described as cloudy, coiled, corkscrews, crimped, curly, natural, poufy, ringlets, spirals, texturized, wavy. For braids, use terms like crossed, folded, interlaced, layered, looped, plaits/plaited, rolled, woven. These words can help be more specific with the look of their hair/hairstyle. Tight, tiny braids. Cloudy puffs of hair in twin pigtails. Even the way hair is maintained or styled can give cultural context. For instance, a character might spend time oiling their scalp, twisting their hair into locs, or using a durag to keep their waves intact.
Another thing to note is that stopping to describe only Characters of Color implies White = default, so be sure to describe your White characters as well within your writing. It’s all about balance and authenticity. Threading indicators like these, at least early on and then throughout the story at your discretion, should be effective for letting us know the character is of a certain race. Describe your white characters too, don’t leave them as the default. If you describe a Black character’s rich brown skin, also take a moment to mention another character’s pale, freckled complexion. This creates a balanced and inclusive narrative.
When it comes to interactions and dialogue, remember that the way characters speak to each other can be revealing. A younger or older character might boldly note the differences in their skin or looks to the character. Someone might make a funny, awkward, exoticizing, racist, or insensitive comment or joke. These interactions can be subtle ways to indicate race. It’s not just about microaggressions; it’s about the everyday realities characters face that reflect their lived experiences.
Even where a character lives, the community they’re part of, and their surroundings can all hint at their racial background. Is the neighborhood predominantly Black? Are there cultural markers like local soul food restaurants, African markets, or churches with gospel choirs? Describing these elements helps build a world that feels real and inclusive. For example, a character might walk past a mural celebrating Black history or hear the rhythmic beats of a drum circle in a park.
TL;DR:
Colorblind writing is tone-deaf and lazy. Failing to describe race erases a significant part of characters' identities and defaults to whiteness. Describing race matters because it validates readers' experiences, adds depth and realism to stories, and reflects true diversity. Use names, physical descriptions, cultural context, and character voice to indicate race without being stereotypical. Balance descriptions of characters of all races to avoid implying a white default. Representation is crucial for creating inclusive and authentic narratives.
by IJustType