Fellow BIPOC #writers, at some point we really need to discuss how you can still center whiteness in stories about BIPOC. It’s understandable *how* this happens but we gotta unlearn it. (This doesn’t mean don’t discuss whiteness but there’s a difference.) #writingtips

Imma tell you right now that I have not been interested in work that centers whiteness. And by that I mean when one’s existence in the story as a BIPOC is constantly juxtaposed to white expectations and thus this carries the narrative. It still happens A LOT. #writerscommunity

And it’s also published A LOT. *sigh* There’s a difference between educating but when on page one/chapter one everything is compared to white expectations/way of life and how the character feels inadequate that’s not highlighting culture or individuality to e way one might think

When I teach I usually give examples of the positive & negative to breaking down perspective, word choices, + character introductions. I would HIGHLY recommend reading BIPOC #poets if you don’t already because so many have keen perspectives in voice/POV. #writingtips

Forgive my typos!
Some contemporary #poets I highly recommend (many well known) incl. Danez Smith, Malcolm Tariq, Anastasia-Renée, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Jenny Xie, t’ai freedom ford, Cynthia Manick, Eduardo Corral, Natalie Diaz, Jennifer Elise Forester, i’rene lara Silva ...

Just a quick add that I KNOW BIPOC artists will always receive pushback. When saying "I can't because white people want this..." takes agency from the artist. Racism isn't going away. My point is: Who are you writing for and does that matter most to you?

I respect peoples choice and understand these systems are not in place for BIPOC to have various freedoms. I don't write FT because I want that ability to write what I want/when I want and it's not something everyone has nor feels comfortable doing. We're all learning every day.