Novels today have made small strides in the amounts of diversity they display; however, the numbers are still insanely off. This week, I am continuing my review of diversity in the fantasy novel genre – check out my last article on body diversity here.
In this particular article, I want to focus on the lack of racial diversity in fantasy novels.
A report done in 2019 by BookRiot showed that out of over three thousand books they surveyed, a staggering amount – 41.8% – had a white main character. Now, what demographic came in second to a white main character? Whatever answer you may assume – you are most likely incorrect.
Coming in second for most used main characters, at 29.1%, was animal/other leads. Out of the books surveyed, it was more likely to have a lead that was an animal rather than a person of color.
This fact is not only startling – it is unacceptable.
Racial diversity in novels can bring about a lot of positive impacts on readers. Take the fantasy series by Jordan Ifueko, Raybearer, for instance. This duology is inspired by West African culture set in a fantasy land.
These books introduce readers to a different culture whilst also creating a fantastically vivid fantasy realm.
Ifueko’s duology has gained such popularity, that it is even receiving it’s own Netflix series! Thus, the much needed racial diversity given to us in novel form will break into television – allowing more actors of color the chance to get their big break.
Moving back to racial diversity as it stands in fantasy novels, when it comes to people of color in a side role – some authors place them in a role where they solely exist to give advice to the white leads. Their roles are often based on their advice and then they’re usually killed off to further the white lead’s storyline and emotional growth.
To only have minority characters in your novel to be in a role of service or a voice of reason while white characters get to take on all types of different roles is harmful.
Putting characters of color in exclusively roles of service harms young readers as it tells them that, in this intricately built fantasy realm, they solely exist as one typecast whilst white characters get to play all roles.
An example of this is Jennifer L. Armentrout, a popular fantasy author, who received criticism due to her portrayal of black characters in her novel From Blood and Ash.
Armentrout included only two black characters in this novel who were both servants to the white leads whilst having names synonymous with the colors “brown” and “black.”
While it seems that authors like Armentrout are open to critique, it doesn’t make the choices they made any less painful. The damage they wrought is out there, and while apologies can be made – it doesn’t undo the pain they caused.
Moving forward, in the past year or so since the pandemic hit, things seem to be moving in the right direction. Own Voices was created to give authors a chance to showcase their work featuring their communities.
As stated in my previous article, every person deserves to see their likeness in a leading role. If the only role that people who looked like you received were the background characters – it would make reading a lot more disheartening.
To end this article, I want to give a mention to some of my favorite Own Voices reads. To name a few: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi, We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, and Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas.
There are so many amazing books out there filled with stories from different cultures. The aforementioned books are only a taste of what Own Voices has to offer, and I highly recommend all readers to check them out and find a new favorite book.