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Multiculturalism in novels makes me edgy because I always assume characters are white. This is because I myself am white, and also because I've noticed authors tend to immediately introduce their characters as otherwise, very blatently, when they are not. "Sal was a crook-shankin' Latino b-boy with a saucy grin." "Marlo was a heavyset black man who looked fierce as a bear but, as Joe knew, had a heart as soft as a deer's hide." It's almost always in there.

And if the writer doesn't come right out and say it, my racist motherfucking imagination will automatically paint them up as whiteys. The worst thing, of course, is when you're about fifty pages in and you already have a pretty good idea of what the main character looks like, and who they are. Then some casual conversation bombshell will hit - "Joe, do you remember when we were in the Black Panthers together?" - and you'll have to completely refabricate this character, and the way you think and feel about them. This may be construed as "racially exclusive" depending on how damnably PC you are, because I am judging people by their outsides and stereotyping groups... but I know and you know that race is a pretty significant factor in this world. Oh come on! It totally is. People be different, but everyone's special. Ya ya.

Anyway, this is all just assuming that I am somewhat engaged with the story. Lots of times I don't even care this guy is suddenly white or black or blue or whatever. I'm just hoping he dies so something interesting might happen. Or at least take a trip somewhere cool. God damn it Joe, I'm sick of listening to your stupid talk of grapes and rolling countrysides!

Posted by Chris at 02:53 AM >> Commentations (0)