๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฐ/@๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐ฐ๐
OH! Hi, welcome to my blog! Iโm your favorite (you either love me or hate me) AWG. Today, weโre diving into โญBLACK CHARACTERSโญโand no, Iโm not talking about those one-dimensional characters just there for the urban memes. I mean the real deal: complex, rich, main characters that pack a punch!
As a Black writer myself, Iโll be honestโI sometimes struggle with crafting Black characters, whether theyโre main leads or supporting roles. Why? Because every Black person has a different story. Believe it or not, not every Black man or woman has experienced the same tropes we see in the media. So how do we go about developing a powerful Black character or even a minor role thatโs still refreshing and relatable? Letโs find out together!
๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: ๐๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐๐จ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐!
When it comes to writing Black characters, letโs talk about the elephant in the room: stereotypes. You know, those tired clichรฉs that pop up in movies and books like an unwanted party guest who just wonโt leave.
First off, letโs acknowledge that not every Black character needs to fit into a box labeled โGangster,โ โSassy Best Friend,โ or โMagical Negro.โ (Yes, I see you, Hollywood!) Every character deserves depth, complexity, and a unique backstory.
define: Magical Negro is a Black character who exists to help a white protagonist, often with supernatural powers. Example: John Coffey in The Green Mile.
Research, Research, Research! I canโt stress this enough. Dive deep into the experiences of real Black individuals, because every Black person has a different backstory! Personally, I havenโt experienced many of the challenges Black Americans face, like systemic racism, and itโs crucial to acknowledge that diversity. Understanding these nuances will help you create more authentic characters.
Ask Questions. Got a Black friend? (If you donโt, get oneโkidding!) Use your network. Ask them about their experiences, perspectives, and how they feel represented in media. Just donโt be that person who asks, โSo, do you like fried chicken?โ Itโs not cute.
Embrace Diversity Within Diversity. Not all Black characters should be from the same background. Explore different cultures, regions, and histories. There are a billion ways to be Black, so show that in your characters!
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐: ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ค
Now, letโs talk about dialogueโbecause if your characters sound like awkward robots, people will notice! When writing Black characters, remember that language is a huge part of identity. African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a beautiful, expressive part of Black culture, but it needs to be used authentically and respectfully.
Personally, as a Black Jamaican, this is how I talk โproper.โ I donโt use Patwa (Patois) in my dialogue when Iโm writing Black American characters because, like I said before, Black culture varies. Just as I speak differently from a Black American, your characters should reflect the diversity of the Black experience. One-size-fits-all doesnโt apply here!
For example, a natural-sounding conversation between Black American friends might go like this:
Authentic: โYo, you tryna head to the spot later?โ โBet, Iโm down. Lemme hit you up after work.โ
This sounds natural and reflects everyday speech without exaggeration. Now compare this with a stereotype that overuses slang and makes the character seem like a caricature:
Stereotyped: โYo, dawg, we finna roll up in this joint, ya feel me? Straight fire!โ
See the difference? One feels like a real conversation, while the other feels forced and unnatural.
Another Example: In a professional setting, you might have a character saying:
Authentic: โIโll follow up on that report and get back to you by end of day.โ
If you force casual AAVE where it doesnโt fit, it feels unnatural, like this:
Stereotyped: โYo, Iโma hit you with that report later, aight?โ
๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ: ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐/๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ
Alright, letโs get into it! Crafting rich, layered backstories for your Black characters is where the magic happens. After all, theyโre not just defined by their race; they come with a whole buffet of experiences, cultures, and dreams!
Cultural Heritage: Dive into your character's cultural background! If your character is Caribbean, like a sassy Jamaican or a vibrant Trinidadian, think about how family traditions and spicy food shape their identity. Maybe they celebrate Carnival with a flair that leaves everyone in awe, or they bring a bit of reggae to the school dance. Spice it up!
Family Dynamics: Whatโs the family vibe like? Is it a tight-knit crew where everyone knows everyoneโs business, or is it a mixed bag of characters with their quirks? Picture a character raised by their wise grandma, who drops truth bombs about resilience while whipping up the best curry chicken in town. Those family stories can really shape who they are!
Personal Experiences: Letโs keep it realโyour characterโs experiences should be as unique as their favorite playlist! Maybe they faced challenges at school that made them a champion for anti-bullying or excelled in sports, turning their setbacks into comebacks. For example, they might have been teased for their skin tone, but that just made them more determined to lift others up.
Aspirations and Dreams: What gets your character out of bed in the morning? Whether they dream of becoming a doctor, an artist, or the next big YouTube sensation, their aspirations tell a story! Imagine a character who, inspired by their communityโs struggles with healthcare access, aims to break barriers in medicine. Talk about a hero!
๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐: ๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง
Alright, folks, letโs get real for a minute. We need to address a serious issue in storytelling: the unfortunate trend of making Black characters the butt of jokes to uplift white main characters. Spoiler alert: this is not cute, and it definitely doesnโt fly in a respectful narrative!
First off, humor is a powerful tool in writing, but it shouldnโt come at the expense of marginalized characters. When Black characters are used as punchlines or comic relief just to highlight the โfunnyโ qualities of a white protagonist, it reduces their complexity and humanity. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misses the chance to create authentic, well-rounded individuals.
Example โ
From โThe Officeโ (U.S.): don't get me wrong I LOVE The Office, its my comfort show, however, In the episode titled โDiversity Day,โ Michael Scott leads a diversity training session that reduces a Black character, Stanley, to a series of racial stereotypes. The humor in this scene relies heavily on racial caricatures, and Stanley is the butt of the joke, highlighting a lack of respect for his character. Michaelโs antics, while intended to be funny, diminish Stanleyโs complexity and reduce him to a stereotype for the amusement of the white characters.
๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ: ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฉ
Books โ
"Writing the Other: A Practical Guide" by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward - A guide to writing characters outside your own experience with sensitivity and depth.
"The Art of Character: Creating Memorable Characters for Fiction, Film, and TV" by David Corbett - Offers insights on developing authentic characters.
"Diversity in Young Adult Literature" by various authors - A collection of essays discussing representation in YA literature.
Articles โ
โAvoiding Stereotypes in Fiction: People of Colorโ
โWriting Characters of Color: How to Avoid Being Racistโย - Vanessa Willoughbyโs article on Book Riotย
โAmerican Fiction: Scathing and Accurate Portrayal of the Obstacles Black Writers Face in Publishingโย - ย
๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐: ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐!
Thank you so much for reading this post! To all my fellow Black writers out there, I invite you to drop your comments belowโlet me know if there's anything I've missed or misled. Remember, even though I strive for perfection (tehehe), Iโm not above making mistakes!
I canโt wait to see all the vibrant, fully-realized Black characters youโll bring to life in your stories. Together, letโs make sure our voices shine and our narratives resonate. Happy writing, and until next time, keep slaying those words!
โcourtesy of cosmicawg
















