Debra Renée Byrd, author

A canon interracial couple exists "I just don't see their chemistry" proceeds to fanon ship [insert white character] instead, claiming they have more of a connection.

"It's not their skin color, I just don't like them for some reason, btw, here are my top 5 [insert white actors] I think are better suited"

"Not everything is about race". They say, as they prop up every white character over any character of color.

"Please stop bring race drama into the fandom". Which translates to, I'm comfortable in my racism and don't appreciate any criticism, thanks!

White person, "Yeah, I wrote character of color as an animal, doesn't make me racist".

"I love character of color, here's a fic where they act like as [insert white characters] servant/therapist".

Character of color is such a bad friend for having opinions of their own/taking care of themselves instead of putting their friend [insert white character] first.

A character of color is morally ambiguous or a villain, gets redemption arc. "They're awful and haven't been condemned enough of their crimes". Stans [insert white characters] who did the exact same crimes or was a villain who's redemption arc is praised.

"Can't believe that character of color had the nerve not to die as a selfless sacrifice for [insert white character]".

"POC actress/actor is too ethnic and they'd ruin the character".

"I haven't seen racism in the fandom therefore it isn't there".

"Character of color is the main character of the show sure, but let's be honest, everyone came for [insert white character]

"Character of color is alright but I can only relate to [insert white character]".

The game treats the Miis like they’re real people and makes zero mention ever that they are not, and only ever refers to them and their POV as if they are real and you are their caretaker! While playing this honestly messed with my head pretty badly at times and made me worry a lot on if I was hurting real people/not doing enough for real people while I was playing!

I cannot imagine how much worse this would be for someone who’s unmedicated, non-dormant, or experiencing breakthrough symptoms! Do please be careful and PLEASE remember to have a way to reality check yourself while playing the game!!!

Inspired by @creatingblackcharacters post here, here's a list of Black creators to check out and support this month & beyond, as well as places you can support them:

@rockybloo(creator of the webcomics "Beanstalked" and "Glitter and Guilt"): I've been following them across many social media sites, beginning on Deviantart in 2018-ish, on Twitter, Tumblr and Bluesky. I have seen their work grow and flourish over the years, becoming more self-indulgent with their characters and stories, and their care and devotion for both of that shines through in their art. Their work has really inspired me as I've seen them grow as a creator through their art. Go support them through their Patreon & Ko-fi!

@btrcp(creator of the webcomic "UM"): I came across their work around 2020/2021, and have enjoyed witnessing their creative process and expressing their opinions regarding storytelling, philosophy, and a variety of other subjects. Go support them through Patreon, follow them on Twitch where they stream their work, and pick up a copy of UM: Volume 1!

@simplynovology(creator of #IndigeNovember): an amazing artist & character designer, showcasing much variety and range within their original artwork and fan creations. I'm so lucky to have first commissioned them years ago and see all the little details and things they put into their art, which makes it so uniquely theirs. Check out his Commission page and other links, and check out this link for ways to assist them financially.

@theawesomeadventurer(creator of @cryptidzdotorg): A multifaceted artist and crafter who has made many wonderful things, from paintings to jewelry, T-shirts to music. I am grateful to have gotten to have known them through their creativity and vibrancy, seieng how they move within the world as an artist and a person. Go check out their store at cryptidz.org and their linktree for more info!

@genkibutch(illustrator & fan artist): a bright and talented artist whose specialties are vivid colors, painterly rendering, and a semi realistic art style. I am blessed to consider them my creative peer and mutual; from their innovative redesigns of popular characters to their in-depth analyses of Mitski lyrics, it's been so incredible to see what they're working on and how they want to continue improving as an artist. Check out their carrd and follow them on Bluesky!

Also~

Shoutout to Micah(known as @/micah_ers on Instagram), creator of the comic "Dark Zone" on Webtoon, as well as the animated shorts "Can I Please Have A Waffle" and "Coulda Dropped My Croissant"!

Their work fits within speculative fiction, mainly science fiction and fantasy, primarily centering Black characters within the setting of Earth and the fictional planet of Danyella(the aliens are unmistakably Black coded)

Micah recently created a Patreon page where they post behind-the-scenes work connected to the world of DZ and other projects they're working on; go on & check it out!!

I'm so lucky to have witnessed the beauty, talent, passion and ingenuity of all these wonderful people I listed here!

Go check out these amazing artists, follow them, and support them year-round, not just in February!!

Happy Black History Month y'all!

By the time 27-year-old Smith and the rest of the English colonists arrived on Native American lands in 1607, Pocahontas was probably around 10 years old

Despite Smith embellishing the idea of a romance between them in order to sell books that he’d later author, they were never involved.

With tensions rising between the Powhatan and the English, rumors spread that Pocahontas was a prime target for kidnapping. Hoping to prevent future attacks by Native Americans, English Captain Samuel Argall made those rumors a reality

While captive in Jamestown, Pocahontas was raped by possibly more than one colonist — an act that was incomprehensible to Native Americans.

The story of Pocahontas marrying tobacco planter Rolfe for love is highly unlikely, especially considering Rolfe was under great financial pressure to somehow forge an alliance with the Powhatan to learn their secret tobacco curing techniques

In the end, he decided the best way to win over the Powhatan was to marry Pocahontas, who all the while was being forced to wear English clothes, convert to Christianity and adopt the name Rebecca.

She suddenly fell ill and died after dining with Rolfe and Argall, the man who kidnapped her. The tribesmen who accompanied Pocahontas on the trip believed she was poisoned.

You Are On Native Land collects stories and art donated by some of comics' biggest Indigenous creators such as Jon Proudstar, Maria Wolf, and Steph Littlebird. Tales of Native resistance; family and kinship; love and grief fill this beautiful collection, which includes a special reprint of TRIBAL FORCE #1, credited as the first comic to feature a superhero team made up entirely of Indigenous heroes.