reading Anatomy of Story, and throughout the book there's been so much focus on the craft of the protagonist's internal need—both psychological and moral. it's wild to see actual craft talk about how characters need to start out as immoral, needing to hurt others so that they…

can learn and grow and change throughout the story as they meet their psychological need and external goal and desire. it's wild, because I know BIPOC characters just aren't afforded that craft. this is something that is heralded as actual craft for white characters. for BIPOC…

…characters, they're simply seen as unlikeable and unrelatable because of the actions they take, where they need to learn and grow. this book literally has a whole section on how the protagonist has to make a set of immoral actions!! but, as we know, the issue always comes…

…down to whether white readers (and BIPOC with internalized biases) actually have any empathy for the characters & see them as humans, just as the reader is, and someone who needs to be afforded that space to actually have a story, a journey, where they grow and change. *sigh*

and, as always, whenever I mention Anatomy of Story: if you're interested in reading, please note that the author is trash and there's sooooo much misogyny and casual transphobia. it's not a joy to read. AT ALL.

okay I'm not done. my mind goes to Simon Vs./Love, Simon. one of the most beloved characters in YA. everyone. loves. Simon. *I* love Simon.

…but didn't that kid literally start off the book by deciding he would manipulate his best friend into a relationship with a troll????

can you IMAGINE if Simon was Black?? the book would've been cancelled from the emotional manipulation alone!! but, no. instead, everyone's actually really pissed at his BIPOC friend group for being mad at him later in the book!

*throws up hands*
and now I'm done.

(and before anyone tries to say that this Black author over here is trying to cancel Simon, please know that I love those books and I love Simon. but I can also see and note double standards for white characters vs. BIPOC characters.)