Viewpoint Unpopular roleplay opinions?

[Grey]

I wasn't counting down to quite what you think I was.

Playing POC in a fantasy setting is just as Tulik put it, generally, but as a big ol' leftoid I think you also need to put genuine consideration toward societal context if you're playing in a setting closer to reality.
But I'm leaving that there because I learned my lesson about The Discourse on this site a long time ago.

 

[defenderofberk]

As someone who's mixed I find it very odd that every time I roleplay with someone their character is white. There's nothing wrong with playing a white character, it just bothers me a little bit that this is such a common theme.

I'd be considerably more likely to play an ethnic character dating another ethnic character, but I appreciate that other people have different preferences. I bet it can get a bit boring after a while though; I really wish mixed race (black/white mix) women would be something other than "sassy black queen with frizzy hair". Please, if you want to have diversity, actually have diversity, not the same copy and paste character.

 

[Tulik]

the color of a characters skin isn’t important. When you start making it about that it’s always going to cause strife. The only time a characters skin color matters is when it changes for no reason other than to appeal to someone.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

That using realistic face claims are creepy and unsettling... I mean why are you using a real persons face for your made up character? I know it’s not stealing there identity or anything but it’s more unsettling then using some art realistic or otherwise, the focus some people have on expecting you to find photos of real people is annoyin, especially in rps that have a supernatural element since you can’t exactly have your vampire look vampiry when your restricted to having to use real actual people...

 

[Grey]

the color of a characters skin isn’t important. When you start making it about that it’s always going to cause strife. The only time a characters skin color matters is when it changes for no reason other than to appeal to someone.

Counterpoint: an occult mystery RP set in 1960s Louisiana.

 

[Yolkfolk]

Oh lord, I've started a war.
I'm not saying it's nefarious or done on purpose. But it's no secret that the majority of characters people make are white or asian. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just want to see someone other than myself do it differently.

 

[defenderofberk]

Counterpoint: an occult mystery RP set in 1960s Louisiana.

Yeah a personal pet peeve of mine is when people play canon characters or relatives of canons characters (usually kids) and they race swap them. It just... AGH. Create dynamic ethnic characters, please. But create, don't just chuck a metaphorical mask over an existing creation.

Oh lord, I've started a war.
I'm not saying it's nefarious or done on purpose. But it's no secret that the majority of characters people make are white or asian. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just want to see someone other than myself do it differently.

I think you're fine, I've seen it explode way worse than this

 

[Grey]

Oh lord, I've started a war.
I'm not saying it's nefarious or done on purpose. But it's no secret that the majority of characters people make are white or asian. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just want to see someone other than myself do it differently.

Ah sure you're grand.
I broadly agree, but a lesson I learned from running games at conventions before I started specifying the identities of characters - my players 9 times in 10 defaulted to white dudes.
Also I'm one of those tedious bores who considers I have a social responsibilty in my art to educate and foster empathy.

 

[Tulik]

Counterpoint: an occult mystery RP set in 1960s Louisiana.

Think you’re playing a semantics game, as I’m sure you were aware of the point I was making. If the color of the characters skin plays a role, then it plays a role. But I think we can all agree that skin color is vastly unimportant in the grand scheme of character design, as it’s the people who they are, not their physical traits that matter.

 

[Grey]

No semantics here, just felt it was a bit reductive.

 

[Yolkfolk]

Think you’re playing a semantics game, as I’m sure you were aware of the point I was making. If the color of the characters skin plays a role, then it plays a role. But I think we can all agree that skin color is vastly unimportant in the grand scheme of character design, as it’s the people who they are, not their physical traits that matter.

It really doesn't matter. However, I've never seen anyone but myself make a black/latinx/mixed character and I would like to see it happen at least once. They shouldn't be special or any different or fit a stereotype, just a normal character that so happens to be a different race.

 

[Tulik]

No semantics here, just felt it was a bit reductive.

Perhaps. But a reductive statement about a hot button topic is sure to start some flame wars. Not from me, of course. I think civil discussion is the bees knees. But there are others who will argue the fact until they blue in the face.

I’ll go back to your comment, when you chose to make a historically accurate role play, or one where racism takes place in. Any sense I think it’s important to note that those things exist, And not shy away from them. It happened. It still happens. In DnD racism against Tieflings is a very real thing as well. We shouldn’t be afraid of dark themes, but we also shouldn’t rely on those sorts of themes to run the show. If racism exits in the world you’re building? Don’t lean very heavily on it.

 

[Tulik]

It really doesn't matter. However, I've never seen anyone but myself make a black/latinx/mixed character and I would like to see it happen at least once. They shouldn't be special or any different or fit a stereotype, just a normal character that so happens to be a different race.

I can’t speak for the the general public, but I’ve added plenty of differing races in my characters. It’s not really anything that can be helped. You can make them aware, for sure, but you probably aren’t gonna change hearts and minds. What people are comfortable with they are comfortable with. What they aren’t? They aren’t. It’s a shame, but you just gotta find those people whose comfort zone extends past their own race.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

To be fair does skin colour really matter that much aside from setting where you can only play human? Wouldn’t think so? I mean you got tones of fantasy races and alien species your character could be sooo idk not too important?

 

[Yolkfolk]

I can’t speak for the the general public, but I’ve added plenty of differing races in my characters. It’s not really anything that can be helped. You can make them aware, for sure, but you probably aren’t gonna change hearts and minds. What people are comfortable with they are comfortable with. What they aren’t? They aren’t. It’s a shame, but you just gotta find those people whose comfort zone extends past their own race.

It's nice to see someone who also makes characters of different races. I do find it a bit odd that so many people are so opposed to playing a person of color, though. Like if it really doesn't matter, why does the idea of it make you so uncomfortable? Nothing about the character is different aside from their appearance.

 

[Tulik]

It's nice to see someone who also makes characters of different races. I do find it a bit odd that so many people are so opposed to playing a person of color, though. Like if it really doesn't matter, why does the idea of it make you so uncomfortable? Nothing about the character is different aside from their appearance.

It’s most likely more of an out of mind thing. It would be like asking why aren’t there more little people characters. Because we as people only tend to focus on the thing me that are the norm in our lives. You can easily focus on making characters of color because you yourself are one. It is the norm for you. Where as if you’re a white male like myself? The norm is Caucasian. I don’t make dwarfs, and I’d be willing to wager most people don’t either. You can apply the argument “Why don’t people make ____ characters” to just about anything. Why don’t people make more bearded women characters, or dwarfs, or people with deformities. It’s because it’s not regular in our day to day life, so we don’t think about it until someone brings it up.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

It’s most likely more of an out of mind thing. It would be like asking why aren’t there more little people characters. Because we as people only tend to focus on the thing me that are the norm in our lives. You can easily focus on making characters of color because you yourself are one. It is the norm for you. Where as if you’re a white male like myself? The norm is Caucasian. I don’t make dwarfs, and I’d be willing to wager most people don’t either. You can apply the argument “Why don’t people make ____ characters” to just about anything. Why don’t people make more bearded women characters, or dwarfs, or people with deformities. It’s because it’s not regular in our day to day life, so we don’t think about it until someone brings it up.

And another point... to assist if one did make these characters with no ”personal” experience so to speak someone bound to complain that your misrepresenting the group since you don’t understand how it is for them... and that’s true thats why people remain in there comfort zone where they can generally know there playing there character “realistically“ so to speak

 

[Tulik]

And another point... to assist if one did make these characters with no ”personal” experience so to speak someone bound to complain that your misrepresenting the group since you don’t understand how it is for them... and that’s true thats why people remain in there comfort zone where they can generally know there playing there character “realistically“ so to speak

If you’re playing a historically accurate visage of that character, maybe. But that sounds a lot like GateKeeping. A black character in a fantasy world might of suffered no hardships greater than a white man, for example. As well as if you are saying every black individual is part of the group as a whole, then you yourself are misrepresenting the black community. It’s not really about whether or not your building what someone says is “misrepresenting”. If you care only about a black character suffering and being viewed by a society in the way you think they should be, you’re going to have a problem with every character of color that’s created.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

If you’re playing a historically accurate visage of that character, maybe. But that sounds a lot like GateKeeping. A black character in a fantasy world might of suffered no hardships greater than a white man, for example. As well as if you are saying every black individual is part of the group as a whole, then you yourself are misrepresenting the black community. It’s not really about whether or not your building what someone says is “misrepresenting”. If you care only about a black character suffering and being viewed by a society in the way you think they should be, you’re going to have a problem with every character of color that’s created.

I’m just giving that as a bit of a exmple as to why people might not do it... and trust me out there in the wilds of the internet, there a lot of stuff like that use I brought up... over all it’s more about comfort zones and what you personally feel like making character like... I mean forcing someone to make there character a different skin colour or make the gay for no reasons is also somewhat rude and hypocritical.

theres not real easy answe to this situation is there?

 

[Yolkfolk]

It’s most likely more of an out of mind thing. It would be like asking why aren’t there more little people characters. Because we as people only tend to focus on the thing me that are the norm in our lives. You can easily focus on making characters of color because you yourself are one. It is the norm for you. Where as if you’re a white male like myself? The norm is Caucasian. I don’t make dwarfs, and I’d be willing to wager most people don’t either. You can apply the argument “Why don’t people make ____ characters” to just about anything. Why don’t people make more bearded women characters, or dwarfs, or people with deformities. It’s because it’s not regular in our day to day life, so we don’t think about it until someone brings it up.

I make white characters too, don't get me wrong. And I don't think making a character with dwarfism is as outlandish as making a character who isn't white. Being a person of color isn't a deformity and it doesn't change your personality and lifestyle dramatically. However, I see your point.

And another point... to assist if one did make these characters with no ”personal” experience so to speak someone bound to complain that your misrepresenting the group since you don’t understand how it is for them... and that’s true thats why people remain in there comfort zone where they can generally know there playing there character “realistically“ so to speak

You shouldn't make a character or a different race with the idea or representing the group in mind. The character shouldn't be any different just because of their race. It should just be a normal character who so happens to be any other race than white.

 

[rae2nerdy]

It really doesn't matter. However, I've never seen anyone but myself make a black/latinx/mixed character and I would like to see it happen at least once. They shouldn't be special or any different or fit a stereotype, just a normal character that so happens to be a different race.

My entire character catalogue is mixed/black/latinix. They are also almost always of a body type that is not traditionally attractive (at least the women. I don't focus as much on my male character's physiques. Which is probably something I need to start working on honestly.)

Speaking for myself the reason I do this is because I myself am latina and I like to imagine people like me kicking it in my worlds. Or if not exactly like me than other people who get kinda of glossed over when everyone is just assumed to be white or asian.

Same reason so many of my characters are LGBTQ+ actually. I am aro/ace and I like to imagine people like me in my worlds. Or if not exactly like me than of a similarly marginalized position.

Now does that mean that I really dwell on the sexuality/skin color of the characters? Not unless it's plot relevant. But if it's not a big deal anyway than why not have them look like me? Or have similar sexuality to me?

 

[Daisie]

I'm now realizing that all my human characters are white.

I'm also now realizing that I only have 1 human character. The rest are dragons, demons, aliens, or robots.

 

[BackSet]

I could make a character who is a person of color (and, in fact, have done it once but only once) but it's never really crossed my mind and I'm kind of lazy.

 

[rae2nerdy]

I mean forcing someone to make there character a different skin colour or make the gay for no reasons is also somewhat rude and hypocritical.

theres not real easy answe to this situation is there?

It’s not for no reason. It is for a very specific and very valid reason that ties into implicit bias. Now despite what people think, that’s not a bad word or an attack.

Implicit bias just means “The thoughts you didn’t realize you had.”

A good example of this is : I am a Latina woman. However I am also have a lily white complexion (mostly cuz I’m a hermit and hate going outside).

I live in a small town in the middle of Trump’s America. (Basically three generations of white peoples make up like 90% of the population).

So at my work I’m one of two women of color. The other woman works offsite though so I’m the only woman of color most of my coworkers see on a day to day basis. And again from a purely physical perspective I look white.

To the extent that my boss was reading a book where the main character has my last name and it took her until the end of the book to realize the person was Hispanic. Because the only person she knew with that last name (me) was “white”.

That is implicit bias. It wasn’t a conscious assumption she had. And once she actually thought about it she realized it was silly. Cuz my last name is hella Hispanic. But it was still one of those moments. Of oh wow you (meaning me) aren’t actually white are you?

So that is the danger in thinking that color and sexuality don’t matter when everyone is the same.

Because the REASON they don’t matter is because you have just defaulted everyone to a singular identity.

Which is why diversity is so important. Making everyone the same makes your world seem small.

And if your worried about making stereotypes, here’s the secret. Have more than one.

have more than one black person, have more than one gay person, have more than one dragon, etc.

Because when you add more diversity it makes everyone seem more human. Suddenly it’s not the one black ambassador to Caucasia. It’s oh here’s a group of black people who all have different upbringings, personalities, belief systems. And there are brown/white/Asian/etc people that are equally diverse.

As the more diversity you throw in the more you get back to the skin color not being a defining characteristic. It needs to be described because if everyone is a different skin color your gonna want your partner to be able to pick out your character in a crowd. But it becomes less of a “forced” attribute.

Outside of some fetishizing assholes, that’s all people are asking for. Make your world more diverse.

 

[defenderofberk]

It’s not for no reason. It is for a very specific and very valid reason that ties into implicit bias. Now despite what people think, that’s not a bad word or an attack.

Implicit bias just means “The thoughts you didn’t realize you had.”

A good example of this is : I am a Latina woman. However I am also have a lily white complexion (mostly cuz I’m a hermit and hate going outside).

I live in a small town in the middle of Trump’s America. (Basically three generations of white peoples make up like 90% of the population).

So at my work I’m one of two women of color. The other woman works offsite though so I’m the only woman of color most of my coworkers see on a day to day basis. And again from a purely physical perspective I look white.

To the extent that my boss was reading a book where the main character has my last name and it took her until the end of the book to realize the person was Hispanic. Because the only person she knew with that last name (me) was “white”.

That is implicit bias. It wasn’t a conscious assumption she had. And once she actually thought about it she realized it was silly. Cuz my last name is hella Hispanic. But it was still one of those moments. Of oh wow you (meaning me) aren’t actually white are you?

So that is the danger in thinking that color and sexuality don’t matter when everyone is the same.

Because the REASON they don’t matter is because you have just defaulted everyone to a singular identity.

Which is why diversity is so important. Making everyone the same makes your world seem small.

And if your worried about making stereotypes, here’s the secret. Have more than one.

have more than one black person, have more than one gay person, have more than one dragon, etc.

Because when you add more diversity it makes everyone seem more human. Suddenly it’s not the one black ambassador to Caucasia. It’s oh here’s a group of black people who all have different upbringings, personalities, belief systems. And there are brown/white/Asian/etc people that are equally diverse.

As the more diversity you throw in the more you get back to the skin color not being a defining characteristic. It needs to be described because if everyone is a different skin color your gonna want your partner to be able to pick out your character in a crowd. But it becomes less of a “forced” attribute.

Outside of some fetishizing assholes, that’s all people are asking for. Make your world more diverse.

"Make your world more diverse"? Look, you do you, but don't force other people to do what they're not comfortable with. I don't insist that every role play has a nationalist just so I feel included, I don't insist that each one has an age gap just because my partner is older than me. If it's included, fine, if it's not, oh well.

With your example with the book, it reminds me of the whole "Hermione Granger could be black". She's a character. Even if in canon she's white, you can imagine her as a black character if you want. In fact, I'd support your right to do so. Imagine her as an aro latino girl if you want, but don't force other people to accept your vision of her. If your boss wants to imagine the character as white, so what? I could imagine the character is asian, black, white or gay because I'm the one experiencing the story. But that doesn't mean that I can force that to be the new canon.