Resources

When evaluating elements of racial and ethnic diversity in speculative fiction and media, consider the following:

• Worldbuilding--Analyze the diverse representation in the setting and fictional world. 

  • Does the fictional setting reflect the diversity of our world?

  • How does the fictional world’s population represent and treat BIPOC communities?

• Stereotypes and tropes--Look for commonly used racial stereotypes and tropes.

  • Examples of common tropes include: mystical BIPOC, exotic other, doomed BIPOC sidekick, dark skinned aggressor, noble savage, monocultures, placeholder BIPOC, etc. 

• Cultural misappropriation--Watch for cultural elements used without cultural context.

• BIPOC characters-- Look for negative and damaging descriptions of BIPOC characters 

  • How are characters of color and native characters described by the narrator, themselves, and other characters (descriptions including physical traits, mental capacities, personality, etc.)?

• Normalized biased language or thought--Watch for unaddressed bias.

  • What type of language do characters use to describe differences?

  • Are cultural beliefs or practices mocked, misunderstood, or respected?

• Power dynamics- Examine the power structures and relationships between groups

  • What agency do BIPOC characters have in relationship to other groups present?

  • What actions do BIPOC characters take in navigating spaces with other groups from dominant races, ethnicities, or cultures?
    

Authors to Include in Your Collection

Akwaeke Emezi ·Alex London · Anna-Marie Mclemore · Axie Oh · Beth Revis · Carlos Hernandez· C.B. Lee · Cherie Dimaline · Cindy Pon · Constance Burris · Corinne Duyvis · Cynthia Leitich Smith · Dan Wells · Daniel Jose Older · Daniel Wilson · Dia Reeves ·  Dhonielle Clayton · Ellen Oh · Fonda Lee · Joseph Bruchac · J.C. Cervantes· Julie C. Dao · Julie Kagawa · Justina Ireland · Karen Sandler ·Kwame Mbalia· L.L. Mckinney · Leigh Bardugo · Malorie Blackman · Marie Lu · Nalo Hopkinson · Natasha Ngan · Neal Shusterman · N.K. Jemisin · Nnedi Okorafor · Octavia Butler · Paolo Bacigalupi ·Rena Barron· Roshani Chokshi· Rick Riordan ·Sangu Mandanna · Scott Reintgen · Sharolyn Brown · Sherri L. Smith · Stephen Graham Jones ·Tehlor Kay Mejia· Tochi Onyebuchi · Tomi Adeyemi · Tracey Baptiste · Yoon Ha Lee · Zetta Elliott

Anthologies & Short Stories

• Diverse Energies edited by Tobias Buckell & Joe Monti

• Kaleidoscope: Diverse YA Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories edited by Alisa Krasnostein and Julia Rios 

• How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin

• Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time: An Indigenous LGBT Sci-Fi Anthology edited by Hope Nicholson

• Enough Space For Everyone Else by by J.N. Monk and Lee Black 

• Fiyah Lit Magazine

• Lightspeed Magazine