Im writing a story with a white woman(ww) and black woman (woc) as the two protags who will be the endgame ship. The woc is an immortal human whose jaded, cynical, and tough. The ww has lived a sheltered life and is very young and naive. Because of this the ww is more fem and “weak” (not a fighter) and the woc is more savvy and badass. Ww has a unique magic where the woc cant die and is a skilled fighter. Is this problematic at all?
White Woman, Black Woman Couple: Black Women Can’t Die
In an age where it’s abundantly clear how many Black people die young and needlessly, it is a nice change to have a Black Woman who can’t die. This alone subverts cliches of Black people dying, often first. The times also inform the character. For example, the Marvel hero Luke Cage being bulletproof is a refreshing and welcome change today.
You’ll still need to be careful about stereotypes.
Your White woman character is sheltered, young, and naive. She’s weak and doesn’t fight.
The Black woman character is jaded, tough, a fighter. She cannot die.
The innocent white woman could steer into white supremacist views of white women where they are harmless and always in need of protection, even from themselves. We mention this especially because of how it affects Women of Colour.
Your Black woman could potentially fall for the Strong Black Woman trap. Particularly if she’s constantly saving and never being saved herself. Restless and hyped us as a “Badass.” Such praise are often used as a means to demand more from someone. You’re amazing, superhuman, so why shouldn’t we demand more of your time and energy than we would of someone else?
Please explore our posts on how to balance tropes. In summary, characters must be shown to be more than just strong or weak. Strong people need rest, love, and the saving sometimes. Sheltered and “Weak” women still need accountability and she could also help her future Black partner in other areas where she’s strong.
Another idea would be to subvert the character roles altogether, with the Black one being sheltered and the white woman the fighter. You could even keep the Black woman cannot die which only adds another element. She’s no fighter, naive, and has a resistance to death.
Check out this highly recommended reading:
Writing Powerful Women of All Races
Stereotyped vs Nuanced Characters and Audience Perception
~Mods Alice & Colette
