Can Non-Black Writers Write Books About Black People in a Romantic and Slice of Life Style?

Of course, they can. Literature should be diverse and inclusive, allowing anyone to write about any topic. Books would become incredibly boring if they only included characters that reflect our own experiences and backgrounds. While I myself am not writing exclusively about women of a certain age or my grandchildren, the question remains: How do non-Black writers approach writing about Black characters?

Evaluating the Reason for Creating Black Characters

When writing characters from a different background, it's essential to evaluate your reason for making a character Black. In the crime thriller I'm working on, the main character is a 37-year-old FBI agent who, conveniently, is not a Black writer with such a background. If all you're doing is ticking a box by including a diverse character without any deeper purpose, you're missing the mark. On the other hand, if you're writing a romance between a White woman and a Black man during a time when this was not only unusual but highly esteemed or looked upon, then you might have a story well worth telling.

Black Readers' Perspective

The majority of Black people do not mind if non-Black people create stories about Black people. Of course, some do find it offensive, but many Black readers are more concerned with whether the characters feel sincere and authentic. Characters should resonate with the lived experiences and vernacular of the Black community. Authenticity is crucial, and non-Black writers must ensure that their characters feel genuine and familiar.

Examples of Effective and Poorly Written Black Characters

Yasuke
I haven't seen the anime yet, but I'm looking forward to it! Yasuke is a perfect example of a Black character who doesn't feel like a walking stereotype or a sidekick. The anime stays true to the real-life historical figure, Yasuke, a legendary Black samurai in ancient Japan. This character achieves a positive representation for the Black community.

Cleveland Brown
Cleveland Brown is not a bad character. He appears in a spin-off show to The Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, but the series is often criticized for lacking depth. The show reduces Cleveland to a secondary character who is merely a friend to the main character, Griffin. This is a common pitfall in writing: having a Black character as nothing more than a sidekick or a pal palette swap of another character. Black audiences get easily annoyed with such rehashed, tired portrayals.
When creating a best friend character who happens to be Black, give them more to offer than just being the friend. Provide them with unique traits, backstory, and growth opportunities. Otherwise, they can feel like a placeholder or a cliche.

Creating Original and Honest Characters

Although Black writers should be encouraged to create their own characters, it does not preclude non-Black writers from doing so. The key is to make the characters believable and avoid stereotypes. Writing from an informed and sensitive perspective is crucial. Authentic representation means understanding the culture, language, and experiences of the Black community. It's not about mimicking every aspect but creating characters that are nuanced and well-rounded, reflecting the complexity of human experience.

In conclusion, non-Black writers can indeed write books about Black people. The success of such stories lies in the writer's ability to understand, respect, and authentically represent the lives and experiences of the Black community. By doing so, they can produce works that are not only entertaining but deeply resonant and meaningful.