Okay, I need to be annoying for a bit since I'm Asian and it's AAPI Month. PLEASE start having more Asian characters or Asian headcanons. I almost never see them unless it's to push a stereotype, and it's absolutely infuriating. Yes, you absolutely can have a smart or nerdy character be Asian but they should NOT be the only Asian character in the cast. It's weird! I almost never see people make, for example, big and strong characters Asian. It's always the pathetic, nerdy, and scrawny characters. Or it's just one Asian character in a large cast. The only time I don't see this issue is when the person is Asian themselves.
Out of all POC, Asians seem to be one of the the least prevalent when it comes to Western media. This is extremely upsetting, especially when Asia is one of, if not THE largest and most diverse continent in the world. Also, you have to remember that there are way more than just East Asians (China, Japan, Korea, etc.); there's Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia, etc. I'm Chinese and I love seeing Chinese HCs, but show some love to all the other Asians too!! They're just as deprived of representation as I am.
I almost never see anyone talk about this issue because almost no one ever thinks about Asians when it comes to interpreting or making characters unless the person themself is Asian, seemingly because people only think of East Asians, who are not "POC enough". This is why I'm "annoying" about my Asian HCs or characters because I almost never see them. I want to see more good Asian representation in Western media. If you're not Asian and worried about accidental stereotyping or offensiveness, RESEARCH. ASK ASIANS QUESTIONS. LISTEN TO US. It's so easy. I understand the fear of accidentally being offensive, but you won't be if you actually put the effort in. Just don't make a character a literal racist caricature. Also almost no one listens to us when we talk about racism against Asians, which needs to be changed. I really want non-Asians to make Asian characters and representation too. Everyone, please start making more characters Asian. Thank you.
