Is a racially/ethnically diverse cast obligatory in a fictional setting?

[Anonymous]

No, it’s not racist. If I wrote a story that’s set in China, and every character is Han Chinese, would that be racist? Of course not! And even if it were (which it’s NOT), it’s YOUR story. Fuck what anyone else thinks.

While I’m fine with a racially diverse cast, I loathe tokenism. To me, putting in people from different races just for the sake of it not only takes away from the story, but it also reduces those characters to two-dimensional objects. But that’s just my opinion.

For example, I took a creative writing class last semester. My story was about the Italian-American Mafia set in the 30s. The vast majority of my characters were Italian-American (and those who weren’t were still white). If I added a gay black guy or something just for diversity’s sake, the story would make no fucking sense!! I got an A on my story, even though my professor was a gay black guy.

[colorsoft]

It should be accurate if based in real-world locations and history. If you're writing pure fiction then it's whatever.

[Anonymous]

Good question. Is itbetter for us to see more diverse casts in our popular media? Yes. Are you, as a writer, personally responsible to make every fictional story diverse? I don't know. I have written about all white characters before because I am white and most of my friends were. But can I be a catalyst for change if I choose to change how I write, and should I? Hard question to answer. It's another issue for whites to write about diverse characters through our own perspective.

No simple answer to this question. So, you have to examine your motives and do the best you can.

[amarahorrorstory]

Depends on if it effects the plot. Is it historical? You don't HAVE to have diversity but it makes a story more relatable, it gives people the ability to feel included. But if your story were in like Montana... you don't need to pop in like 2 black people, because that doesn't really make sense. I don't care if there are ethnic characters, but I'd probably be less memorable for me, or less interesting (depending on the plot). But people can also force diversity in a way that makes it unrealistic as well, balance is key.

[BipBipLeddus]

If the story is culturally accurate, it can be racially homogeneous. In fact, I generally see the "extremely diversified cast" as a ploy to avoid being called racist and augment your demographic.

[Whatthefluff]

In the modern day particularly, you will be more successful with diverse characters.

[Julien1210]

One example : lotr. Exceptionnal movies, mythicals books, nobodies trash talk about it. only whites people in it.
I hate when politicaly correctness interfer with art/fictionnal stories.
A fictionnal story still need to be credible, and to me it's not credible to see a black man as a viking or a white man as a prince of arabia

[JimRSmith]

I reckon you should set it in medieval Riga, but make sure it's racially diverse (and throw historical accuracy to the wind, lol).

[Meninist]

Making a character a certain race for the sake of having that race in the story is bad storytelling.

Usually I would try and make all the characters as non descriptive as possible, so the audience can see themselves being the protagonists.

[Kai02]

its your reasoning that makes it racist or not. If your reasoning is "I just want to create my characters this way" no its not racist. But if your reasoning is "They are inferior" or something like that then yes it would be racist

[Anonymous]

Yes we will force you to be more diverse in your stories via social media and protests outside your home.

[Naydyonov]

Pick your cast based on reality.

If you're writing about a group of Americans then diversity makes sense most of the time, if writing about Poles do not include Asians or Africans as that would be idiotic

[CT_CD]

cf.girlsaskguys.com/.../...f-94cc-dca904eef14b.jpg No, a story can have racially homogenous characters

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

yes, you are. if you set it in 1600s africa, make sure you have at least 2 chinese dudes
#chinesearebrothastoo

[JackofSpades]

If you try to shoehorn them in just for the sake of diversity, it can do more harm than good for your story.

[linds34]

No, I like diversity in real life, but people who complain about diversity in books are taking it a bit too far.

[disgustingweebtrash]

No, a story can have racially homogenous characters

[Schrodingerscat]

Eh it's not obligatory. As the author wishes

[Anon85]

Option two isn't even homogeneous lol

[Assburgers2]

No its sick to make such things obligatory.

[BronzedAdonis]

nope

[Anonymous]

Definitely not.