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📝 Cultural Appropriation: It's Time to Stop - How to Write Asian Characters 📝

I'm sick of people doing things because they're Army that they would cancel anyone else for doing. Due to COVID-19, there has been an influx of anti-AAPI sentiment. BTS themselves issued a statement where they condemned racism, yet I continue to see it in stories, on people's message boards, and other places on Wattpad. 

It's not okay.

Disclaimer: I am not Asian. I am BIPOC (Black), so I understand microaggressions and how things get out of hand real quick. What I am sharing is mostly from actual Asians because it is not my job talk over Asian voices, but to listen and highlight when necessary.

Here are some things you need to be conscious of, now (I will add more as I continue to learn and hear other Asian voices and comments):

- Writing broken English like it's funny: BTS's primary language isn't English and they're trying their best to communicate with as many Armies as possible, yet people think it's okay to meme and make fun of an effort that frankly, BTS doesn't have to make. Writing things like "hearteu," "stob it," "beach," "shit down," etc are not okay. Be respectful and stop.

- Be careful how you describe eyes: Don't go around describing eyes as almond shaped. This isn't just me saying this. I've read on multiple blogs, comment sections, etc that it's not okay. The following is a quote from and Asian person on Tumblr: "Ah, the almond shape. The phrase seems so neutral, so innocuous. Whenever I see anyone describe Asian eyes as almond shape, I genuinely suppress a shudder of revulsion. And then I stop suppressing it and simply give into the disgust.

I have two really great links on this, but TL;DR: it's lazy, it's racist, it's inaccurate. We're so used to it that we think it's true; it isn't. Even if your Asian character actually has almond shaped eyes (which is possible!), find another way of describing their eyes. It's basically an indicator of an author who cannot figure out how to realistically describe Asians, so don't do it." <https://writingwithcolor.tumblr.com/post/101967940901/describing-asian-eyes> 

While we're on the topic of eyes, the same user, and other people, have discussed the issue of calling Asian eyes "tilted," "slanted," or "squinty." It's offensive to some, but not to others. However, it's better to just steer away from it: "Some Asians do not find the phrases "tilted" or "slanted" to ever be appropriate when describing Asian eyes. It's genuinely triggering for many Asians, particularly those who have been harassed, abused or bullied by racists. Other Asians, however, don't find those phrases problematic. I'm going to suggest you stay away from those phrases. Why? Because there's no reason to trigger/harm your audience. If you want to cause serious flinching in your readers, kill off a beloved character instead of being racist, okay?"

- Coming up with names: We all know the backlash she-who-shall-not-be-named's naming of the character, Cho Chang received. If you don't want to be like her, then it's simple: don't just make up names that "sound" Asian. Looking up names online is easy. Coming up with family names is a simple web search as well. In my story, The Art Teacher | The Next Chapter, I have Korean OCs (original characters), meaning I had to come up with names and how I would write them. I looked on multiple naming websites and came up with these names: Park Ki-moon, Min Dae-ho, Kim Yong-gi, Lee Nam-gi, Choi Jung-nam, and Kim Do-hyun. When looking up how to spell them, I found that I had multiple options, all of which I had the okay on. I will show you how I would do it with Ki-moon's name:

     - Park Kimoon

     - Park Ki Moon

     - Park Ki-moon

If the book is set in America, I would probably go with Kimoon instead of Ki-moon. However, remember, a name isn't what makes someone Asian. I've known Asians with names from the country they live in. So don't think that because you're writing an Asian character in America, for example, that their given name has to be Korean.

- First name/last name: I have read stories where it's set in Korea and they write Park Jimin, yet they say Jimin is the first name and Park is the last name. That makes no sense. Instead of writing first name, write given name. Instead of last name, write family name or surname. 

- Stop misgendering: When I read some books (usually mlm), people use the wrong pronouns/terms for Jin and Jimin. However, they aren't genderbent. Why are you calling a man "babygirl," "girlfriend," "wife," etc. It's important to understand that sometimes, masculine-identifying people like to be called things life "princess," (like submissives in BDSM) but that should be addressed. If the character uses he/him pronouns, try and respect that. This stems from a harmful stereotype where Asian men are pretty and therefore feminine rather than masculine. Femininity and how pretty someone is doesn't change the gender someone is. If they use he/her pronouns or genderfuid, for example, then it's okay. If someone who wasn't Army said that BTS looks like "girls," they'd get canceled. So why are some Armies doing it?

- Stop unnecessarily sexualizing honorifics: This was talked about in an earlier chapter, but I'll say it again. Honorifics are a sign of respect, not some kinky bedroom talk. Please respect this. 

- Try not to be colorist: Although some people who happen to be Asian have colorist tendencies doesn't mean it's something to do for all Asian characters. Asians come in all shapes, sizes, shades, etc. Not everyone has to be "pale" (newsflash, Indians are Asian). If you call a character's complexion pretty, reflect on why. Is it because they're pale? Tanner Asians are pretty too. This doesn't mean you can't call someone who is pale pretty, just be conscious on why you're calling their complexion pretty. 

If you are Asian and have anything I should add, please tell me!