A bit about the OP: I’m a non-binary trans femme of colour living in the UK, and I’m a writer!
Also, if you didn’t know, and you probably don’t because I haven’t really talked about this on tumblr, I’m the Editor for a magazine/blog type deal that is made up by articles and submissions from non-binary people within the UK. It’s called beyondthebinary.co.ukand has a pretty snazzy layout if I say so myself – check out a couple of screenshots here:
I’m looking for non-binary writers, artists, and other people who might be interested in submitting or contributing to the website in September (and of course, going forwards!). We’re looking for any sort of writer, on any topic (check out the wealth of topics we have on the site – from interviews, opinion articles, comics, reviews, etc.!) from any ability!
Short pieces, long pieces – we’d love to show the diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and voices that the non-binary community in the UK and abroad has.
Here’s what you can do!
Please read the Submissions Guidelines – you just have to be non-binary, living in the UK, or a non-binary PoC from anywhere in the world, and want to write or submit artwork! (Wordcount: under 2k)
Send your piece to beyondthebinaryuk@gmail.com with your name you’d like to be credited under, a sentence about you, and a picture!
Please share this and consider submitting, or let people know who you think might be interested!
Because we can have ethereally beautiful, immortal elves and fucking dragons and WALKING TALKING TREES but nope having some…
*steamed now* Oooooh, cross.
Right.
I am only going to address your words. I make no aspersions upon your character.
Reading the Silm does not, in fact, make you an expert. You are not the only person here who has read the Silm. In fact, most of us have – some of us? HUNDREDS of times (I stand in awe of them! how do you remember two+ names for every bloody elf omfg *waves at Silm fandom v v shyly*). Well done getting through it, it’s a chunky read. How did you go with Unfinished Tales? The War of the Ring? The Lost Tales? Children of Hurin?
OP, you are speaking exactly like someone who has never wanted for representation in their entire life. Has never wanted for a hero – or even a single character – that looked like and lived like them.
You have said “accept the story as it is.” So this is only for white people, that is what you are essentially saying. Only white people can see themselves in this excellent, beloved, famous story. It is not for others. Nobody else need apply. despite brown hobbits and dark Aragorn actually being canon
“write a better fantasy with all the cultural diversity today in a universe I would create.” = you do realise that black people existed in Tolkien’s day? So did queer people? Diversity did not spring up overnight like a mushroom after rain. He failed back then, much as I love him and his work. We can fix it.
Also, why the hell should people have to write another story? There’s one right there – an entire enormous and detailled and beloved and massive and gorgeous world! Why can’t they be part of it? Why the heck can’t you share? What does it hurt? Why are you so desperate to ensure that all these characters are portrayed as lily-white?
FYI: a brown-skinned character is not a stereotype simply by being a brown-skinned character. No more than a white character is a stereotype simply because they are white. That is not how stereotyping works.
I am also unsure whether you understand what ‘racial profiling’ means. You are not using it in a context that makes any sense at all.
“I don’t think races matter” – there’s a red flag. You may wish to watch that in future. That is the kind of thing said by people who perpetuate racism in ignorance: it is even a commonly accepted indication of internalised racism, in fact. Check Jane Elliot’s talk upon this. It is the sort of statement used by people who have never had their race matter. It’s basically “I don’t see colour!” in another form. Meaning, I don’t HAVE to. I am everywhere. I benefit from being the ‘default’ race. I am the norm. I am sitting at a banquet of characters and fantasy worlds that represent me – and I will begrudge people of difference for wanting a dish or two.
You may have used the phrase in ignorance. Congrats, I just told you, and now you know.
You are not oppressed by a drawing of a brown Hobbit or Elf. A brown Hobbit or Elf is no more a ‘stereotype’ than a white one. The white portrayals are freaking EVERYWHERE: they are THE DEFAULT. A brown or Asian one isn’t going to cause Dagor Dagorath. For goodness’ sake: share.
As a fellow whitey to another – please stop, please PLEASE stop prioritising ‘being correct’ over other people’s far more pressing need to be SEEN.
Aw Yiss 