Black Characters - Tumblr Posts
I was 7 when the first Hunger Games movie came out and watched it within those two years of its release. Rue had always stuck out to me. Rue and Cinna. One because they were two out of three black characters, and two because of the amount of screen time they got.
At the time I didn’t realize it, but now that I’m older the HG movie was probably one of the first forms of media I consumed as a child where a black character wasn’t a stereotype of their race and culture.
What I love about Suzanne’s writing is that at face value her black characters are rooted in stereotypes. At least Thresh and Reaper. But what makes Suzanne so much better than loads of writers, game makers, directors, etc is that her black characters have so much more depth. Thresh and Reaper come off as aggressive and blood thirsty. They also have a stereotypical ‘strong black man’ body type. But what makes them full of depth is that that is not all they are. Both Thresh and Reaper were aggressive to deter the other Tributes from attacking them. They were gentle, kind, and full of mercy when it came to Rue and Dill (and as we saw Katniss and the other Tributes as well). Reaper especially with how he cared for the dead in during his Games.
The sense of community in District 11 that is shown through just four characters is telling. In the movies when they rebelled. Or in the books when D11 sent their loaf of bread to Katniss in gratitude. When that old man saluted Katniss.
I just love that her characterization of her black characters actually hold depth. Especially as side characters. She could have played into ignorance and say that they only served a purpose through their death, but she didn’t.
District 11 will always be my favorite District.
All of the characters of color in the HG universe hold a special place in my heart.
And although Cinna and Boggs are only black in the movies, they’re black in my heart when I read the books too.
Important ideas to consider when creating characters who are black and indigenous people of color. (x)
When the oil pops on your skin! AAAAAH
So I'm working on my character designs, and I have a question...
You can also give your opinion on this.
I love Jinmay!!! This is a great version of them!
so uh..there's this art challenge thing on twitter called "blacktober" and while i'm already participating in another challenge (its on my twitter, aonaran_c if you're interested), i had this idea really late. i didn't want to let this opportunity slip by so..aaaaaaaaa...can you tell i don't have much practice drawing black people hair?
Top 10 Black Characters in Anime: INPO
Disclaimer: I am narrowing this list carefully so I do not use any negative stereotypes. I support the BLM movement and I’m not affiliated with any negative people who are against it. Other than that no racist comments and we can begin
10. Canary - Hunter x Hunter
9. Afro Samurai - Afro Samurai
8. Yoruichi Shihoin - Bleach
7. Darui - Naruto Shippuden
6. Michiko Malandro - Michiko to Hatchin
5. Muhammed Avdol - Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
4. Ed - Cowboy Bebop
3. Marik Ishtar - Yu-Gi-Oh!
2. Casca - Berserk
1. Agil - Sword Art Online
Rambling about Gaia
Deadass, I absolutely adore Gaia. She provides me a narrative I rarely get to see in anime fandoms. Even though I’m the one writing her. She’s seen as strong by people around her, but in truth, she’s putting up a front. She is afraid and nervous but doesn’t want others to see.
She has her own doubts about herself. She doesn’t truly see her own capabilities and abilities. She’s always underestimating herself but puts on the mask of self confidence. She thinks she knows herself now and when we get further into the story, when that belief is shaken and ripped apart, she’s gonna realize that even before, when she thought she was *********, that she didn’t know herself at all.
She’s going to have weak moments She’s going to have painful moments She’s gonna have times where all she wants to do is give up and lay on the ground. It’s tempting to write a black girl as strong all the time. Never showing fear or weakness
Always knowing what to do.
But...that wouldn’t be true at all. Because that isn’t true.
The Dragon’s Flight Update!
Chapter 7 of Gaia’s story; The Dragon’s Flight is finally out!
This chapter is mostly Gaia and Kagome chilling and taking a break that they rightfully deserve.
A redraw of orange blossom with her hair down
If you think about it has Susie skin tone ever been consistent?
Teen Suzie
the ASOIAF / HotD / GoT fandom does not talk about the Velaryons enough, (and i know y’all know why. work on that.) so let’s talk about them. I present:
Velaryon Appreciation Day 1:
Corlys Velaryon
The lack of recognition for Corlys is DISGRACEFUL in this fandom.. I genuinely didn’t know he was a main character until I watched the show this week.
So here are some reasons you should appreciate or at least recognize Corlys:
1. He loves his wife more than anyone on that show. Easily the best husband out of the lot.
2. Literally Rhaenys’ #1 fan
3. Puts aside his long-held ambition to have his blood on the throne when Rhaenys asks
4. Is one of the biggest supporters of Team Black
5. ..I’m not kidding, do y’all remember how he kept vying for Rhaenyra’s claim long after her death? Yeah
6. Dude got arrested and sentenced to death for plotting to unseat Aegon AFTER RHAENYRA WAS DEAD
7. Like instrumental to Team Black and Rhaenyra’s line succeeding the throne, especially post-dance
8. Some of the best hair in the series i mean COME. ON. :
the gold bands? that length??? outdid.
9. Some of the best outfits, especially among the men of HotD
10. He is THE Sea Snake, ruler of the seas!!!!!! Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, Head of House Velaryon, and Princess Rhaenys’ husband (the final is obviously his best and most important title).
11. My dude is HARDY. Recovered from a near-fatal stab wound and intense fever at 70(ish) years old.
12. He is so sweet to Luke. Fights for him as heir to Driftmark despite knowing they are not blood related (“it was just so the Velaryon name stays on the throne!” so? he could’ve supported Vaemond’s claim but he chose to support Rhaenyra’s child, his grandchild)
(look at little Luke and his grandsire😞)
13. Driftmark is cool as fuck and he’s the Master of it so that’s another point to Corlys.
14. I said it once I’ll say it again: GILF.
15. (extra credit): Steve Toussaint (Corlys’ actor) seems to be a great guy. He’s funny, v entertaining in interviews, comes across so genuine, bffs with Eve Best (Rhaenys’ actress), and is a huge GoT nerd (seriously. he is the only one who can answer any questions about GoT in the interviews i’ve seen him in). And fun fact- as I was looking to see if he’s overtly problematic, I discovered that all of his twitter likes are just “human kindness” and funny animal videos.
And the worst thing is that if he looked like his pre-HotD fancast/fanon version, people would not shut up about him.
“He’s soo fine”
“I need a husband like him”
“We need to talk about him more.”
..and you know i’m right!
FINALLY:
I am not saying you have to like Corlys (especially if you do not fw any asoiaf men, which i deeply respect), but free him and House Velaryon from this double standard you hold them to.
Like I better not see anyone who appreciates, recognizes, or likes Daemon or Aemond or Criston or even Alicent talking about how Corlys is “too prideful,” “too ambitious,” because look the fuck around!!!!!!! who isn’t in this goddamn verse!!?!??!!! and also you know what?? if my beautiful amazing badass wife was denied her rightful throne, i’d be mad about it too!!!!! even after she said she was over it!!!
if you made it this far, i’m thoroughly impressed and even more grateful that you have heard me out in this Corlys Velaryon rant!
Tears Of A Nobody
(y/n) walked towards her locker as the bell ring, she glanced towards Lyla and her squad of idiots.
“Hi, (y/n) .” She said sweetly.
“Lyla...” (y/n) didn’t look their way as they walked up to her, she continued putting books in her bag.
“Me and the girls were just talking and we had a great idea to make shirts for the team. A way of telling them congratulations on making it to the finals, and we were wondering-.” (y/n) slammed her locker cutting Lyla off.
“I’ll pass.” She walked away going towards the exit, she heard footstep behind her as she kept walking, “you didn’t let me finish...” Lyla walked stood beside her.
“Don’t need to..” (y/n) took her keys out, “I’m not going to the finals.”
“Why not?” She asked.
“Because I don’t want to..” (y/n) says walking to the student parking lot, “Don’t want to- this is the most important game of the session. This is where scouts come out and hand pick who their gonna choose for there schools. And you don’t want to go?” (y/n) stood next to her truck, she glared blankly at the cheerleader speaking making the young girl go quiet.
Lyla looked between (y/n) and her friends, “Guys, how about you get started on the shirts. I’ll there in a sec...” Lyla’s friend looked weary at her and at (y/n) who stared unbothered at the group. One of the cheerleader whispered ‘good luck’ to Lyla as they all headed back to the school. Lyla looks back at (y/n) leaned against her truck.
“So...” Lyla started nervous messing with her skirt, “W-why aren’t going to the finals, did Coach Taylor put you out or something.” (y/n) stared at her blankly not saying a word, Lyla scoffed and folded her arms annoyed.
“What’s your problem?” (y/n) chuckled.
“My problem?..” (y/n) walked up towards Lyla causing her to take a step back scared, making Tanya roll her eyes, “My problem is you...”
“Me! What have I done to you, for the past couple months I been nothing but nice to you.” She snapped.
“Nice? Saying hi to me in a sweet voice every morning isn’t nice it just basic human decency and a bit patronizing.” Lyla glared at (y/n) angrily.
“...anyways why do you care? Now that I’m out doesn’t it help you better to choose which boyfriend to pitch a ride from since they be getting the attention now.” Lyla bit her tongue at the mention of Tim and Jason, she shook her head and chuckled making (y/n) looked irritated as she laugh.
“Your something else you know that you think you better than me and everybody else. Your no different than half the people here, a bunch of selfish nobodies....” she walks up to (y/n) .
“And your right I’m happy that your not gonna go to the finals, but if theirs a chance that Jason or Tim get recognized because of you. I take the chance in a heartbeat, not because their my ticket out. It because I actually care about their future especially Tim’s, so for once can you not be the twenty-five percent.” Layla said
Layla looked up and down at (y/n) as she came close to her, she glared at (y/n) daring her to do something making (y/n) chuckled. “Nice pep talk, coach. What next you gonna try to appeal to my better nature, let me save you the time. I don’t have one. ” (y/n) turned around going to her truck growing tired of talking to Lyla.
“Gosh your such a bitch, no wonder nobody in this town likes you..” Lyla says watching her climb in her car.
(y/n) stopped midway into getting into her truck, she snapped her head towards Lyla. She stepped out of her truck slamming the door close and stalked towards Lyla again, making the cheerleader stay her ground.
“Let’s get something straight, Lyla. I don’t give a damn what any of you think of me, you can like me hate me I don’t care and I never will. You people fucked up me up enough to know that this town is nothing but backward incest pool of rednecks...” Lyla looked stunned at how pissed (y/n) was getting.
“All you people EVER done is make me feel different about myself, if it wasn’t my skin tone than it was my hair and if it wasn’t my hair than it was the way my body was built. I’m sorry that my breast are big or my waist too wide I can’t control that or my arms are muscular it not like I ask to be like this.” (y/n) got chocked up on her emotion as tears well up.
“(y/n) , I didn’t-" Lyla reached out only for (y/n) slap her hand away from her, “What? To hurt my feelings or that I had any...since I was a kid all you did was bully me constantly about how I look. I guess I should be luckily, right? You and other kids bully me because of my physique and not because of my dark skin and kinky hair...the adult did that. " Lyla looked ashamed
“I remember one time you completely ignored me for the whole school year, that rest of the kids did it too and when new kids would try to talk to me. You just make up a story telling them about a little ghost girl who haunts the school, and for a well...I believe I was a ghost.”(y/n) thought back to that dark cold place, she glanced at Lyla.
“I was crying tears of an nobody for years until I joined the football team, but I still felt like that even when I was getting praise. So if I choose play or not it wouldn’t matter because you all still hate me. “ Lyla watched as (y/n) got in her truck and drove off, she stood their wiping the tears away and walked back inside the school.
Because, this is needed to be shouted from the rooftops.
Black Characters Lives Matter
Black trans lives Matter
Black veteran lives matter
Black lives with PTSD matter
Black lives matter.
They are not the assaulters or should be the assaulted.
I rest my case.
ya know ive been wondering why the whole *sam being really mean (and bucky sometimes returning that energy)* thing has been so persistent in the sambucky tag. & i mean PERSISTENT. there has not been a shortage of people criticizing this and asking yall to stop these type of post in the tags and yet…they continue. but now… hmm i guess i get it.
fandom is punishing sam wilson and sam fans (most of whom are black) because of the perceived slight he’s delt against bucky (their favorite sad white man). the thing is, logically, no one can blame sam for his actions/words to bucky. bucky has tried to kill him almost every single time they’ve met. this didn’t stop sam, the angel, from looking for bucky for TWO YEARS with steve. he’s not particularly aggressive towards bucky nor are his words particularly mean. he doesn’t trust him (before infinity war/endgame) but he never tries to hurt him outside of trying to stop bucky from killing him lol. so again - sams actions/words? justified. logical.
so since fandom can’t write long-ass metas about how sams actually an irrational and mean character point black… like they try and paint every. single. black. character. in. every. single. piece. of. media. EVER. they settle for hiding behind “oh but sam and bucky have a funny antagonistic relationship with one another”. but that’s the thing. no, they don’t. we all saw endgame. they were nothing but sweet/comforting/friendly to one another. in civil war? sure sam was pretty exasperated with that whole bs and bucky was trynna crack a joke but antagonistic to one another? NO. not at all. do they hurt one another? no. and YET how many bad “joke” posts do we have to see day in and day out of sam being physically violent towards bucky “jokingly”?? too many!! so let’s get back to the point tho…why’s this happening? because sam doesn’t trust bucky in the beginning. because sam doesn’t trust the man who literally tried to kill him and his friends MULTIPLE TIMES. PAST TENSE THOUGH. if yall know anything about body language it’s pretty freakin clear that sam and bucky trust each other by infinity war & endgame and yet… THERES MORE AGGRESSIVE SAM POSTS THEN EVER. THERES MORE VIOLENT BUCKY POSTS THEN EVER. what exactly is so funny about bucky hitting (or threatening to hit) sam or vice versa? what is so charming about sam making fun of buckys ptsd or vice versa??? why don’t yall just admit you’re a bunch of racist cunts and quit hiding behind jokes. because honestly, i don’t care how innocently you frame it - it’s racist - it’s harmful - it’s exhausting. STOP PAINTING THE ONLY BLACK CHARACTER FROM TEAM CAP AS AGGRESSIVE & STOP WRITING ABOUT HIM GETTING ASSAULTED OR ASSAULTING THE PEOPLE HE’S FRIENDS WITH/IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JUST FOR LAUGHS!! YOUR MEASLY 200 NOTES AREN’T WORTH IT - YOU PATHETIC RACIST FUCKS!!
Important ideas to consider when creating characters who are black and indigenous people of color. (x)
Catwoman 🐈⬛
Voluptuary. Queen. Muse.
Lesson 4: "Do Black People Blush?" Bringing brown complexions to life
Inspired by this ask
So, do Black people blush?
We are human beans 🤣! Blood rushes through our veins! This isn't just a nonblack misconception either; I know plenty of Black people who think we don't blush. Stop saying that shit. It's not true! If you thought this at any point, I'm glad you learned, TAKE THIS L IN SILENCE! I am sparing you the indignity of saying this out loud, ever! 🙏🏾
Jokes aside, the actual issue usually lies with the depiction or description. Depending on our skin tone, most of us aren’t going to turn ‘bright pink’ with a blush (if you write that in your y/n or roleplaying fics, that’s an easy way to negate a good amount of your potential Black audience). Think of a cherry coke- how you still see the tint of red in it, but it’s still brown? Like that.
One way to dodge this in writing is to say “flushed”, or “ears/cheeks became hot”. This is describing the physical action of blushing, without having to describe the color of someone’s face. If you’re really nervous about not writing us correctly via blushing… there you go!
Colorism
Okay. So this is something I’ll likely do its own lesson on, because there’s no way I could encapsulate it into one little blurb and I’m not going to try! After asking the internet an admittedly confusing question 😅, one thing I was able to reaffirm is that people have different opinions on what ‘dark’/’darker’ skin tones mean. People recognize that different cultural upbringings and contexts will change what that means! And that’s good- that an important part of the larger conversation!
However, I want everyone to understand that you don’t have to be Black to be dark/’darker’ skinned- you can be Black and very pale! We discussed that in the last lesson! There’s no ‘singular point of brown-ness’ that designates a Black person as ‘Black’- there’s an entire sociological conversation behind that!
My point is, this isn’t a ‘oh Black people OVERALL aren’t depicted blushing properly’- because there are ‘lighter’ skinned Black people that wouldn’t suffer as much from this particular issue.
Blushes and Undertones
Three Links for Tips on Medium to Deep Skintones
Different complexions are going to require different colors, there's not a 'one fits all' option. However! What we want to do for deeper brown complexions is to focus on BOLDER, not lighter! Putting light pink or a white person’s ‘nude’ on our skin will often make us look ashy and undercolored. And we don’t like looking ashy.
"It looks like they're ashy!"
What do we mean when we say this about a piece? Well, worse case scenario, it looks like this:
This was NOT one of KD’s better days, and he was thoroughly mocked for this. He got more than enough money for lotion! Anyway, when we say that your art looks ‘ashy’, it means that it feels like the skin of your Black character is gray, or dead. Like a corpse. We don’t look like that unless things are dire.
In fan and professional art, you can sometimes find people user a grey undertone for deeper shades of brown on Black people: NO! We are NOT grey! We are not pitch! Many skin shades of brown can be found based in the oranges and the reds. Based on lighting and depth of complexion, you might even have to go into the blues and purple to capture the brown you’re seeking.
I’m begging us to stop desaturating the browns we use. We can see the difference. It’s usually one of those ‘White Man Painted Brown’ techniques I discussed before; an attempt to ‘make a character Black’ without really committing to it because the brown skin tone ‘doesn’t look good’ to the artist. Brown is beautiful! Commit to brown! Commit to the full design!
Put in the work to create the brown you need!
While this is a traditional art piece (follow Ellie Mandy Art, a Black creator), I want you to notice how she incorporated many colors to create the deep brown for her piece.
-8:05 for the list of paints
-8:05-17:29 for the process
She used black, yes, but it was nowhere near the base color. She incorporated blues and reds and other browns to capture that depth. It wasn’t ‘toss in a bunch of black or grey to get the brown darker’. (SKIP TO THE END TO SEE HOW GOOD THIS PIECE IS, BTW. I felt like I was in the presence of a master watching her do this, fr. We gotta pay artists more.)
I want to use this model as an example to show that while we might get very dark, we're still not 'pitch black'. You can see the flat of the black of their clothes versus their deep complexion. They're not the same!
Even if your character's complexion is very deep brown into black, you still need to incorporate ‘life’ into them (if that makes sense). And you know what? Even if you want to describe your characters as having ‘black’ skin, that’s fine, but there are still other ways to do it- obsidian, the night sky, velvet. Find a way to romanticize our skin (there’s an entire conversation about how ‘black’ is used in a negative connotation in language and storytelling, and we’re ALSO going to have that conversation later!)
A Real Simple Way (i.e. how I do it)
I tried, but I cannot find my skin tones palette link anymore. I’m sorry! But, it’s been essential to my character design. If you don’t ever buy anything else, I would HIGHLY suggest investing in a skin tones palette for your art program.
Everyone say hello to Philia, my OC! I’m used to drawing her, so I’m going to use her as an example. Now remember, I am still an amateur! But this is how I do it!
Admittedly, I do the one on the left when I'm feeling lazy, but more often I'll take the time to do the one on the right. Now here’s the thing- I’m not actually blending the red into the brown. This is on a whole different layer. What I’m actually doing is adding to and fading the color until it’s at a color that I feel is natural. There's definitely an easier, smarter way to do this, but that’s what I like to do- I like to see the stages slowly until I’m comfortable.
You have to mess around and practice; see what looks good and what doesn't. Go into the reds, the oranges, the pinks and observe how it looks- I may go through multiple before I settle on one. It’s really just a matter of getting used to drawing Black skin tones and how they look in different lighting. This one's not perfect for sure.
Resources
Here are some really good posts and Youtube videos on how both to paint skin, and to add blush tones. And remember, as per my usual, the best way to learn how the draw and paint Black people is to follow and learn from Black artists! Another good idea might be looking into Black makeup and Black SFX makeup artists. As people that work with skin on a regular basis, they would be a good place to study what colors can and should be used on different skin colors as a whole.
ami0amii
Likelihood Art
Tiara Anderson
Proko
Sinix
Ross Draws
In summary, focus on bolder colors, be willing to test until you get what you need, and practice! All you can do to get better is to practice! And as always: it’s the thought that counts, but the action that delivers!
I'm not a fan of raceswapping, but I find it weirdly amusing at how the crowd of "just make your own original POC characters 🤓" get so irrationally angry when a franchise actually does make an original POC character.
It's almost as if they never actually cared about 'raceswapping'...
