People will be like “here’s my WOKE ocs!!” and it’s just two men who have been made gay and bi. Maybe if we’re lucky we’ll get a lesbian or autistic character in there. Oh! and they’re all white and skinny :D
Where are the people of color??? Im not just talking one “inclusive” black or asian person, it’s no better than a whole white cast if you do not have multiple. And why are we just using black, white or asian? Don’t tell me their supposed skin color, tell me; American, Canadian, African, Australian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, European, Spanish, the list goes on. And people who are mixed as well!!
What about body types?? Skinny, fat, average, tall, short, strong, buff, chubby, frail? And having Women and nonbinary people and gay men having diverse bodies and not always being skinny or curvy.
Genders?? Why is no one trans or nonbinary, or otherwise gender nonconforming? And when they are why do they only use she/her, he/him, or they/them? How about characters that use it/its and specific neopronouns? People that are genderfluid and bigender and transmasc or transfem (which are not the same as trans)? People who don’t use pronouns and just their name?
Split attraction?? What about aro and ace spec characters? Especially aroallo ones! Aplatonic characters?? Labels that don’t make sense to people like bi-lesbians, gay and pan?
Disibilities??? Does no one use a wheelchair or crutches? No one is blind or deaf or mute? No one has to carry around epipens or wear a CGM? No glasses or hearing aids? And what about mentally? What about neurodivergent people of all types? Different levels or autism and ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenic, depressed, OCD, DID or otherwise plural, narcissist, tourrettes, dyslexia, BPD, etc.
Where are the peole with alternative Styles?? Goth, punk, decora, cottagecore, fem aligned people who dress masculine and masc aligned people who dress feminine, nonbinary people who dress or present leaning towards one binary (without their gender being forgotten)? Anything outside the norm?
Other religions? Not everyone can be christian or if we’re pushing it, atheist, what about buddhist and islam and shinto, etc.?
And hobbies?? Why is everything so basic? Not one character is into something unique? And no D&D and legos do not count. Give your adult characters favorite “kids cartoons” go on. Make them obsessed with a niche or simple or cute game. Make them absolutely adore bugs or plants or dog breeds and be able to point out every single thing. Make them collect swords or soda tabs or coins!! Perhaps they know the entire history of their hometown or a random place they have never even been to. There’s so so many opportunities here, thousands I couldn’t even begin to go over.
Most importantly why are they so perfect? Give them flaws. Make it easy to hate them. And you don’t have try to make an excuse to get around it. They don’t have to be “good deep down in their heart” or conventionally attractive. They can be ugly and angry and apathetic and still be a good character. Just don’t strip them of their humanity. They can still be likeable no matter who they are, because regardless they are human, and they will be relatable. Maybe not to you, not to most people, but to someone.
You don’t have to relate to a character to create them. You don’t have to have the same heritage or experiences or interests as a character you create.
“But I’m afraid of getting it wrong!” Good. Do it anyways. Research what you can. Don’t get pissy when someone points out an inaccurate or stereotypical depiction. Learn more as you go on. Be openminded and ready to learn and listen to people who do know more than you. You can’t be perfect, but you’ll never even be good if you never do it, and you’re going to continue excluding people who need representation and someone to relate to.
