(im gonna start typing in lowercase because the setting on my phone is on it and it's aesthetic. this is an easy-going book and i don't care about grammar)

okay so last night i was sitting up until 4 in the morning, surfing the beautiful site
we know as wattpad.

i've been wanting to write this chapter since i even thought of having a random book for my thoughts, but didn't quite know how.

but i realized something...that's the point.

so we all know how most stories go, right? mary sue, convenient plot...whitewashing?

this is a problem in so many people's stories, my own included. i feel as if my books and predominantly white. i only have like, one or two POC (person of color) characters and it honestly hurts my soul. the ones i do have could be seen as mere sidekicks meant to make smart comments.

that was not my intention, but could be judged as so. i'm referring to kate mavis, to those who read my shiz.

now, kate is portrayed by the beautiful logan browning. i have always pictured her as that. she is an intelligent, beautiful, strong character. she's brutally honest at times, yet so fragile because of her past.

the thing is, although i genuinely love and appreciate her as a character, and I'm going to bring out the best in her...she's still a side kick

so, since I've gotten past mentioning that I'm a part of this problem, let's continue

growing up, I've always lived in a low-income city. I've grown up around diversity my whole life. I've seen every stereotype and everyone who's escaped from such. 

at the end of the day, it's important to remember that everyone is their own person and they don't fit into categories.

growing up with POC friends, there's always been the unspoken issue of under-representation.

as times have changed drastically, people have started speaking up. I remember the first time I heard one of my best friends and my ex mention whitewashing. for the record, they are both African American

I went to see Black Panther with a group of people. at the end of the movie, the two of them were talking. I joined the conversation and realized what they were talking about.

"Wow, that movie was so good. It's life-changing."

"How so?"

"You don't understand...girl, it's the first Marvel movie with an all black cast and fleshed out African heritage. Almost every superhero movie is white-washed."

and, in that moment, I realized another privilege I had but didn't realize...

another story...remember when they said they were going to make a live-action Little Mermaid movie?

they announced who would be playing Ariel... the beautiful and talented Halle Bailey!

and then, of course, the internet erupted

so many people couldn't grasp the idea of a woman of color playing the role

the role of a mermaid

a fictional creature

people started boycotting the movie before it even got produced, spewing hatred and disrespect.

oh, and remember when in The Cursed Child they made Hermione black?

and, again, the internet exploded

the title of the article I got this from was literally, "Dear JK Rowling, I disapprove of the New Hermione But I'm Not A Racist"

yeah, ok bud

my point of this rant is that we NEED more representation! I admit that I have fallen into the trap of whitewashing. 

we write what we know best...I'm white, so my main characters usually are!  but that isn't right. just because I'm white, I shouldn't assume everyone else that reads my stories is

so, I pledge that when I make a new fanfic, the main character will be a POC. I'm doing research on how to properly portray it...there are many resources! many POC writers have written guides to proper representation.

oh, and don't forget others types of diversity! gender, sexuality, religion, body type, ableism, etc.

I will end my rant here because I'm sure you get the point.

oh, and if you are still unsure of how to properly represent or find resources to do so...just ask a POC! I'm sure they would love to help! I have done that with my friends (but it was in a sneaky way since nobody IRL knows I'm on here)

thanks for reading this far. I apologize again for my ignorance in the past and hope I, and everyone else, can move forward stronger and more educated.

love to all,

Lumos