Have you ever written a fantasy story that doesn’t really include race? And you wanted to add other Poc in it that’s weren’t black/dark-skinned? But then you thought otherwise… Well, have you?
Well, if you have did you know there was a way to include Poc (that aren’t “dark- skinned”) and that is called “coding” And no I am not referring to programming.
Poc coding is the implication of a Poc (person of color) whose identity is not explicitly confirmed within canon. This process is done by giving non-race characters what might be considered as a specific minority “traits” that are recognizable by readers but not stated in canon source.
Tips to avoid harmful portray of a token culture you are trying to subtly portray:
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Don’t make them a token human (if you’re writing about a fantasy race who in human equivalent can be this specific human culture)
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Study the culture/history of the POC race you’re trying to portray in your non-human characters. (just because they are non-humans character and you just want to include part of a certain human race culture into your writing does not mean you do not have to study their culture and history! It can be very offensive if you don’t because then you would be dangerously close to appropriation territory )
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Review the languages you are using for your naming conlang.
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Avoid connections of historical imperialisms (it can be offensive/triggering to the reader who is part of the culture you’re portraying)
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Avoid exaggerating their features (if you want readers to be able to understand that this non-human character culture is a portrayal of a certain culture in real life and so you add some features that apply to them- sometimes, don’t over exaggerating. Ex: If your non-human character culture is a portrayal of a specific Asian country culture and so you want to add the “almond eyes/monolid slender” eye shape to describe them so reader can understand that if they were humans they would be Asian- simply don’t. Many Asian’s have said this is offensive, not all Asians have small eyes and also, Asia is rich in diversity.)
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Avoid offensive stereotypes.
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Read all this tips again before you try to “poc code”
And that’s all! If you have any questions/any other tips on how to Poc code feel free to fill out this form:
