Im not sure this is the place to ask but I am planning/outlining a story that may end up being something akin to fanficiton but I probably wont share it anywhere. the point being is I want to include a lot of diversity in culture/ethnicity/etc. and I don't know how to properly represent people who are not culturally/ethnically the same as me. I know it's going to be a lot of research on my part but does anyone have any advice?
Shout out to me for writing diverse characters even back when I was anti-lgbt
For example, I wrote a bi nonbinary character and had them correcting everyone who got their pronouns wrong. I didn’t even know what any of that was when I wrote it, I just thought it made for an interesting character quirk.
Beta-Readers Needed!
Before I publish the first few chapters of my rewrite series, I’m looking for at least five beta readers who’ll check my work for any inconsistencies, typos, and any other errors that might be found.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ If you are interested, you can message me so that I can ask you a couple of questions. If I feel that you may work well with me, I’ll ask for your email.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ If you are not interested, but know someone that might be, then you can either send them this post or tell me about them so that I can ask them myself. I’ll be asking a couple of simple questions and, if I feel we’d work well, then I’ll ask for their emails.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ REMEMBER! This part of the rewrite is centered around the Marauders & Co. (the romance is Wolfstar-focused, although romance isn’t the main theme). There’s going to be a lot of diversity in terms of race, gender, and disabilities. Also, Snape is going to be a complex, humanized character.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ If I can find someone who is Indian, Japanese, French, and/or Welsh to call me out in case I make any mistakes (I’ve been studying these cultures for years whenever I can, but I’m not perfect) that would be amazing.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ Finally, any and all Beta-Readers I end up picking will be credited each chapter I post.
This might be a genuine Controversial opinion of mine. Really because I Always see The Black Percy fanart or POC Percy and I love them, even though i still love the book version...it had me thinking...
But I highly think that if Percy were Black or Any minority I Doubt he would Take Annabeth's Bs or let her treat him the way she does
What do you think?
I have mixed opinions on this. I think it's a bit controversial but not for the reasons you are going for. Bear with me.
I think all this diversity propaganda has warped our perspectives on characters and their roles. Rick is shit at diversity roles cause he is trying explicitly to write them as diversity characters. I mean yes coming from a certain race, culture or ethnic group does play a large part of who you are but most authors make that the entire point or personality of their character.
In a world like Percy Jackson, where far greater things are at stake, I don't think a character's race or ethnic group should be prioritized so much. In fact, their motivations, how they choose to cope with their trauma and insecurities, how they love, how they fight is what makes a character.
In contrast to Rick, Leigh Bardugo writes tons of diverse characters who are just that, characters in her eyes. It's not because she needs to meet some quota or write diversity for the sake of it. She writes as it comes to her, and I think anyone would appreciate that far more.
Now, coming to your point, I don't think Percy being a minority or person of color would have changed him much. Because the points that you are trying to make should already be valid for Percy as he is.
He had an abusive stepfather who not only physically and mentally abused him but also always harassed him for money. Percy has grown up in that environment, he knows abuse well.
Percy can't stand bullies or people who impose their will, which is a fundamental part of his character which we are actually introduced to very. early on
Not to mention, Percy grew up in the streets of NYC all on his own, also moving from one boarding school to another. He is seasoned player when it comes to cops or law enforcement.
Plus I headcanon that all demigods have issues with any kind of normal organization or law enforcement cause what explanation are they supposed to give for their actions when the person across from them can't fathom it, see it or let alone imagine it. So they are all kind of in similar situations despite whatever culture or ethnic group they are from.
Percy's actions are also a reflection of his self-esteem. That's the thing driving his behavior. Percy wouldn't stand for this from a stranger, but Annabeth is his best friend. The first person he got close to in Camp. She represents his demigod life in a way. To him, the fact that someone like her wants to date him seems unbelievable. He goes in that relationship or any relationship feeling inferior. Then he begins dating her, and he desperately wants to meet her expectations cause Percy Jackson can't take her walking out on him, not because he disappointed her. Cause what sort of shit boyfriend is he if he can't even stand and accept Annabeth as she is. So he takes it as it is. He takes her demands, her violent way of expressing her emotions and her need to be in control. She wants to go to University and study, she wants to be involved in the demigod business, wants to be the heart of it and Percy isn't about to leave her to be on her own. He is Percy, he would go to the ends of earth and beyond for people he loves and cares for. So he goes along with that too.
The question shouldn't be what it would take Percy to be done with Annabeth's bullshit or what would finally make him snap. That shouldn't be the focus.
The focus should be at what point will Annabeth realize that she is stifling Percy, leashing him. (Before you snap, percabeth stans hear me out, not my words. Literally a bloody conversation from Mark of Athena, in which Piper word to word says and agrees with Annabeth that someone needs to leash him and Annabeth can do it.)
And I love how the fandom just glossed over it. What the hell??? Are you people blind? How is that a healthy relationship??
Annabeth should realize how badly she is hurting Percy or how badly she has misunderstood him. How awful her actions have been and how her actions are enabling his lack of self esteem. (For confused people who think Annabeth can do no wrong, please check other posts. There's nothing wrong with admitting that your favorite character is flawed and can make mistakes. )
And then if she truly loves him they should separate, go their ways, still be friends but not romantic partners. Or they should go on a long break in which Annabeth needs to sort out her behavioral issues, come back to Percy, apologize to him earnestly, then to Rachel and even Reyna. And then if Percy (after he too understands the problems in their relationship and how disastrous his lack of self esteem and self deprecation is) is willing to give her a chance or even willing to be in any romantic relationship then and only then should they get back together.
It might not be the answer you were hoping for anon but I had to give my honest thoughts on this. Feel free to comment your own opinions on this as well.