Writing More Diverse Characters-The TCI
I absolutely love that Tumblr is moving toĀ createĀ more diverse characters in fiction. But thereās still a lotĀ missingĀ and I want to help writers diversify their writing. Let meĀ introduce to you:
TheĀ TCI, orĀ Third Culture Individual, sometimes referred to as theĀ TCKĀ orĀ Third Culture Kid.
A Third Culture Individual is a person who has spent the majority of their developmental years outside of the culture of either of their parents. For the rest of their lives they are known as a TCI.
There are three cultures represented in a TCI: their parentās culture, the culture of where they now live, and the new culture created, an amalgamation of both combined.
They often speak two or more languages, and can represent their cultures with full authenticity.
They are often extremely adaptable to new cultures and new ways of life.
Someone who speaks two or more languages.
Someone who goes on vacation.
Someone who goes on vacation for an extended period of time.
Someone who has moved within their own country.
Someone who has spent a year studying abroad.
Someone who moves to a different country after they have matured into an adult.
Someone who has lived in another country when they were too young relate to any of the culture orĀ peopleĀ there.
What does being a TCI mean?
Being a Third Culture Individual is difficult. The TCI has switched cultures, often multiple times, before they can develop their cultural identity.
This leads to a sense of mixed identity: TCIs often feel like they donāt fully belong in any culture, but identify with the cultures they represent.
The difference between cultural identity and race:
Your race is something genetic, something inherited, something you cannot change.
Cultural identity is developed as you do. Non-TCI parents can have TCI kids and vice-versa.
Example:Ā A white person who grows up inĀ NigeriaĀ may identify culturally as Nigerian, but that does not make them black.
Third Culture Individuals are recognized by so few people. This makes it especially hard to identify with anyone. Lack of representation is a major issue.
Common difficulties of the TCI:
Questions like āWhere are you from?ā are often difficult to answer. I often have to ask āDo you want the long version or the short version?ā
People claiming you are not allowed to represent a culture because you are not āfromā there.
My rebuttal is this: what defines yourĀ "from"?
Is it where you were born?Ā You can spend less than a year in the place you were born, so how can you ever identify with that place?
Is it where your passport says your from?Ā If youāre like me, you have two passports.
Is it where your extended family lives?Ā I have family that lives in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovakia. And thatās just the family that I keep in touch with.
Is it where you live now?Ā I have lived in the place I live now for less than two years, and donāt have any particular attachments to the geographical location.
Is it where you lived last?Ā If you move around a lot, then this could get pretty dicey.
Is it where you lived longest?Ā Honestly, this one depends. If the years arenāt consecutive, then this isnāt necessarily true.
The only way to really define this āfromā is where you spent your developmental years, growing as a person, and itĀ can be multiple places.
TCIS CAN ACCURATELY REPRESENT MULTIPLE CULTURES EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT BIOLOGICALLY LINKED TO THAT CULTURE.
Why should I write a TCI character into my story?
Listen up, friends. A TCI is a great way to break stereotypes. Iām going to list a few examples of people that Iāve met.Ā In real life.Ā
A caucasian girl who grew up in Japan, speaks fluent Japanese, and wears a kimono for formalĀ occasions.
A Moroccan woman who slays it every year at the Oktoberfest concerts in Germany.
A ginger with an incredible Cockney accent who is a total cowboy.
An Indian girl who works at a chalet in Austria during the winter while she goes to school in Salzburg and is an incredibleĀ skier.Ā
A Thai boy who has anĀ unrealĀ Scottish accent and can keep up in Gaelic.
I donāt know about you, but I see a world of potential for a cast ofĀ incredibly diverseĀ characters.
Potential Jobs that create TCIs:
Okay, so letās pretend Iāve convinced you to include a TCI in your story. How do TCIs even happen?Ā
The most common reason TCIs exist is because of their parent/s job/s.
The Diplomat-this personās parent works in politics, either as an ambassador, representingĀ theirĀ country in a different one, or working in international politics or organizations.
Examples:Ā The Ambassador of Spain in London. Delegate representing China (United Nations). Works for an NGO (Non-governmental organization) like Medicins Sans Frontiers or the Red Cross.Ā
The Expatriate-this personās parent was sent to a different country for their occupation (non-political, non-charitable).
Examples:Ā A partner who works for Roche is sent to Basel, Switzerland to manage one of their branches. Volkswagen sends developers to New Zealand to work on a new project.
Boarding School-this personās parent sent their kid to boarding school. Please, for theĀ love of everything against awful stereotypesĀ DO NOT write about a rich person whose parents sent them to boarding schoolĀ becauseĀ they do not love them and donāt care. I have been to plenty of boarding schools and have yet to meet anyone like that. Itās a common stereotype that should be avoided. Kids who get sent to boarding school are often very well-loved by their parents and get to experienceĀ amazing things. Most schools have boarders an local students who live at home. They often have the strongest friendships, and because boarding schools are typically small, thereās a family-type feel to them. Everyone knows that Mees doesnāt do his homework, and Pratyusha is the genius.
Examples:Ā The International School Schaffhausen near Zurich, Switzerland. The Abdulaziz International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Nomad-this isnāt seen often in real life. At all. I wouldĀ use it sparingly in realistic fiction. This person takes their family with them, as they wander to a new place, often without a job already set up. They typically donāt have a lot of money, and life can get pretty difficult.
As with writing any character, making them a complete person is the key. The ladies on this blog to an excellent job of helping you out with writing PoCs. You still have to keep this in mind when writing a TCI.
Just because someone is a TCI does not mean they lose their racial identity.
Portraying cultures accurately is also a key aspect to writing a TCI. Please do your research. The best help comes from people who actually live or have lived in the place you want to write about. Donāt be afraid to ask! Most people will love sharing their culture with you.
Blogs on Tumblr with good info on TCIs:
When Youāre A Third Culture Kid~A blog dedicated to the problems most TCIās face in daily life.Ā
Saudade~A Blog Dedicated To TCIās from anywhere and for people who love travel.Ā
Third Culture Kid Life~Submitted written work by TCIs on their experiences.
A Third Culture Kidās Take on the World~A manās personal blog as he describes his life being a TCI.
Websites with more information:
Third Culture Kid Life~Website run by a TCI man to help explain what being a TCI is all about to parents of TCI kids.
InterNations Magazine~Article on TCIs
Amazon~The best book on TCIs Iāve ever read. Psychology.
For Personal Questions Feel Free to ask me (a TCI) any questions you may have:
A TCIās BlogĀ ~ Note: this is not a blog dedicated to TCIs or TCI related topics. This is my personal blog but I am willing to help you if I can.
