Saturday

We Need More Representation in Young Adult Novels (Seriously.)

Hello everyone! Long time no bookish post! This is a little topic that I have been meaning to address, but I just haven't come around to doing it. A lot of bloggers have talked about it before, and it really means a lot to me, so I'll tackle the topic and perhaps get something out of it!



To find inspiration for this post, I took a trip to my bookshelf and glanced at my books, marking down every book that has a caucasian protagonist. The majority of books on my shelf fit this criteria. And don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that there are books out there with POC MCs, but the books that I looked at were among the most popular of their genre.



Let's look at the most popular children/young adult series:

Harry Potter? The only POC that I can think of off the top of my head were Dean Thomas, Angelina Johnson, Cho Chang, and the Patil twins, aka not enough. The three main characters however, were all caucasian.

Divergent? Again, off the top of my head, just Christina.

The Mortal Instruments? Does Isabelle count?

The Hunger Games? Rue. That's pretty much it.

Is it that difficult to write in some POC main characters? Our world is progressing, and especially with all the hatred going on and the extreme racism in the United States, it would do authors some good to represent other races and cultures. And perhaps educate their readers on sharing the love with everyone in the world.

In addition to that, young adult novels are obviously directed towards.. young adults. Shouldn't we be taught to be more open minded? Taught that not all heroes are caucasian girls? And it's sort of the reality as well, all of these amazing women POC scientists are left in the dust, even though they've done so much for our scientific world.


new thing: beyonce gifs


Caucasian female should not be the norm for a main character.

How about we open it up even more and say women in general aren't being represented enough in Hollywood, or in comic books?

Why do all the female superheroes have to wear tight suits and put "girl" somewhere in their name? Why is Superman called "Man" but then we have this TV show called "Supergirl"? Lame.



And why can't we see more kickbutt female heroes in movies that girls can look up to?

There's so much we can fix, and it can start with the arts. So you, my little amazing writer friends out there, next time you start planning out your characters, see if you can fit a few different characters, and be the start of something new. I see you.

In short, the three biggest reasons why we should see more diversity are:

1. Everyone deserves to be represented
2. Our world is diverse and so our books should be too.
3. Why not?




What are your opinions on this slightly controversial topic? Ooo and just for fun, come up with your own kickbutt female superhero and tell me in the comments! 

Love you all <3

Thanks for reading,
Noor

53 comments:

  1. Agreed!! We definitely need more diversity-- especially in fantasy books! So often the protagonist is a white male. Not that we don't need white male characters too, but people of every race and gender should be represented as awesome, powerful protagonists!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree! I'm not saying to completely get rid of white protagonists but rather mix it up a little hahaha

      Delete
  2. 100% more diversity needed. Thinking about it, I've never actually read a novel with a Non-white main role.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It shouldn't even be a question anymore, we really do need it.

      Delete
  3. Absolutely agree with you there. Although I'm not even sure that Katniss and Gale are totally caucasian...or if it's just the movie distorting things. :') You're so right about Harry Potter though! Even if it was set in Europe, you'd think there would be a lot more diversity in such a big school...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ughhh right.. Hollywood. And I totally agree with the HP thing, maybe a Muslim, Black, or Latino character? Why not!

      Delete
  4. I totally agree! We need more diversity! My super female person would be someone who was confident, stands up for her opinions, and is kind.

    xx Bubbles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awh that's so cute. I would totally read a book/comic with her in it :D

      Delete
  5. I totally agree! Of course, there's many good YA books with great representation, but all of the mainstream ones seem to have the same protagonist: the Caucasian, naive, boy-crazed, special snowflake brat. Young women are so much more than that! We are so, so, diverse, and we 100% need more books that represent that ♥
    Amy xx

    Little Moon Dragon

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wouldn't say it's a controversial topic, or at least it shouldn't be - literature has to be representative of society, and that means we do need more diversity for sure! I think those novels are there (although we do need more) but we need to make them more accessible to teenagers - I grew up reading so many books that were very diverse that I would say part of the problem is that a lot of teens aren't reading those novels as publishers are more into marketing the john greens and divergent books of this world. That hollywood is still very behind in terms of diversity doesn't help either though.

    With Harry Potter, I would say the reason there isn't more diversity in terms of oh there isn't a muslim character etc, is that in that sense religion was not a part of the story- it was about a little boy going to magic school in Scotland. Novels, although it's so important that they are representative and diverse, also have to have that element of reality as well - and Hogwarts was supposedly in the highlands of Scotland, where the majority of students would be white, even if they are coming from all over the UK.

    I am really glad you're talking about this though <3 Great post!x

    Anne // www.aportraitofyouth.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  7. I totally agree! I would love to see more representation in YA books. It bothers me how caucasian is treated like a "default" or the "norm" when it really shouldn't be. People of all different races, religions, sexualities, etc. live in this world, so why shouldn't books reflect that? I just think that we need more of a variety of characters instead of your typical caucasian "special snowflakes" and "manic pixie dream girls."

    I love this post!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes yes yes yes yes! I agree. In so many of the most popular books like you stated there are almost no main characters that aren't white or caucasian. Our world is so so diverse with so many different people from different places living different lives and the books need to show that. Also when supergirl first came out I was like wait. Why does her cousin get man but she has to be a girl. Like grown women over hear being called a girl. I would be offended. Love this post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Idk, I don't really consider the color of a character's skin when I read a book, I'm too busy delving into their personality and how they react to the situation presented to them. I feel like personality is important to convey in books, rather than the race or color. Of course, interpretation of books lead to movies and that's where things are white-washed. There were countless times when I imagined a character to be dark, because they were described as 'dark' only to find out that the only dark thing about them is the melanin in their hair e__e like way to go.
    Another thing I really hate is that when movies or tv shows DO portray a character as a PoC, they lump in as many other labels as possible. I was watching a show called Code Black and initially, I was really excited to see a female Indian doctor being part of the main cast. Yes! Finally someone I can relate to. Then it turned out she was lesbian while all the other white characters were straight. "Well that's ok" I thought to myself, and THEN it turned out she had a few affairs. Why do you have to lump everything on the PoC? I don't feel like watching the rest of the show anymore because the white characters are so normal and here's my Indian girl being turned into a minority within minorities within minorities as well as having her screen time cut down considerably. Not fair :\ but that's my opinion and I understand if some people think it's wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I completely agree. In Harry Potter, I think it was rumored that Hermoine was supposed to be dark skinned. Olive at least. But the film makers casted someone that didn't adhere to that and created the arguably flawed/different image of her. I think we're getting there though. YA has begun to take these things seriously. Everything Everything for example. The movie is coming out soon and I think it's one of the first YA adaptations to feature a dark skinned main character. (If I'm not mistaken, it's the actress who played Rue in the Hunger Games too coincidentally)

    Great post.

    Skylar | Skywriting

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey, At least we have WonderWoman!!!
    And in the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child JK Rowling cast Hermione as a black woman which I personally think was GREAT but the whole community just gave her so much hate for it.

    I have to say though, When I read books I'm not focused on the race of the protaginist

    Great post Noor! Also I have hangouted you about designing my blog!!

    Thanks,
    TG xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is a great website.. The Design looks very good.. Keep working like that!.
    nude webcam chat

    ReplyDelete
  13. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post.
    vr adult live webcams

    ReplyDelete
  14. I’m flattened for your blogs writings and blogs as well.
    hmibod vibrators

    ReplyDelete
  15. I haven’t any word to appreciate this post.....Really i am impressed from this post....the person who create this post it was a great human..thanks for shared this with us. live adult chat

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is the type of information I’ve long been trying to find. Thank you for writing this information. vr cam

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. virtual reality cam

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice blog, I will keep visiting this blog very often. vr cam shows

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great things you’ve always shared with us. Just keep writing this kind of posts.The time which was wasted in traveling for tuition now it can be used for studies.Thanks vr cam shows

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a fantabulous post this has been. Never seen this kind of useful post. I am grateful to you and expect more number of posts like these. Thank you very much. vr cams

    ReplyDelete
  21. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post.
    adult chat

    ReplyDelete
  22. This one is good. keep up the good work!..
    adult chat

    ReplyDelete
  23. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. adult chat

    ReplyDelete
  24. I was reading some of your content on this website and I conceive this internet site is really informative ! Keep on putting up. adult cam

    ReplyDelete
  25. If you are looking for more information about flat rate locksmith Las Vegas check that right away. sex cams

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work.whatsapp status videos

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. we will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with our. adult chat

    ReplyDelete
  28. This particular papers fabulous, and My spouse and i enjoy each of the perform that you have placed into this. I’m sure that you will be making a really useful place. I has been additionally pleased. Good perform! https://lucy-pinder.com/connie-carter/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal means? I have a venture that I’m just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such information. ยาทน

    ReplyDelete
  30. The blog gives you such feelings that it’s only written for you.
    คลิปโป๊ดารา

    ReplyDelete
  31. People who are exceedingly restrained, proficient and ready to coordinate the power of their will in different everyday issues fall prey to sexual impulse.Porn

    ReplyDelete
  32. You should mainly superior together with well-performing material, which means that see it:
    top-5-best-webcams

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the last part I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people.
    sislovesmexxx.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am impressed. I don't think Ive met anyone who knows as much about this subject as you do. You are truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. Really, great blog you have got here. chaterbate

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is something that you recently read but can't get enough of reading this.
    bffs.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I have a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information
    fake taxi tube

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. we will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with our. chaturbate

    ReplyDelete
  39. I found Hubwit as a transparent s ite, a social hub which is a conglomerate of Buyers and Sellers who are ready to offer online digital consultancy at decent cost.
    https://www.thepovd.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy.
    https://www.exxxtrasmall1.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a neat and precise article. The use of words is commendable.
    https://www.thepovd.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Self-assertive and amazing in equal measures, a must read.
    black valley girls

    ReplyDelete
  43. Can't sit tight for another blog by this essayist.
    bffs

    ReplyDelete
  44. The information you have posted is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing..
    POVD

    ReplyDelete
  45. Quite often, by the time we are in out mid 30's, our friends are in couples and it gets more difficult to meet potential partners in the more conventional ways. couple seeking girls

    ReplyDelete
  46. This streak of childishness will appeal to her and she will find you cute. You should be cool and funny at the same time. Sexy women also love intelligent men and they like men who are smart and naughty at the same time. Hyderabad escorts

    ReplyDelete
  47. If your goal is to date a stripper, whether that be on particular dancer that has caught your eye or you find the idea of dating a stripper appealing you should know up front that there are few men that are able to cut the mustard. bachelor party florida strippers

    ReplyDelete

Hey! Yes you, you're about to leave a comment, why thank you! Just remember, if you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all.