A conversation came up in a book lovers discussion group about character stereotypes and the preconceptions about certain characters especially in fantasy and sci-fi.
If there's a religion, why is it usually highly like our version of conservative? Why can't we switch it up and make it something different? Maybe structured like our version of the church, but maybe a-gender and open relationships but still highly spiritual people strict in their own ways, but never hateful or judgmental.
I'd like to see the highly advanced societies/cultures be mainly people of color instead of the tribal type cultures. (I'm white so I can't speak on this and I do see this more and more in sci-fi over the past few years.)
Why can't the plus-size girl also be a badass with a sword?
Or the traditionally raised white boy NOT be a d!ck?
The broody, stoic white guy with black hair? Can we switch it up a bit?
I do realize there's a ton of books that really switch up and flip the stereotypes up with diverse characters, but it seems there's a lot of the same characters just regurgitated over and over.
by Imagination_Priory89
2 Comments
When it comes to the first two points, GRRM’s A Song of Ice and Fire series features a very progressive and sex-positive religion on the Summer Isles, which are comprised of people of colour who are also highly advanced for their time when it comes to archery and shipbuilding. Unfortunately, they’re not really focused on in the story.
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