I think there have been many important opinions shared. and mine is only going to come at you as someone who is pretty seriously marginalized. though not any worse than any other marginalized person. the crux of my argument is this: if you are writing a black girl, and you get that shit wrong (think v seriously about what I mean by "wrong" - you nod to her skin color, but ultimately are writing her the way you'd write a white girl) I'm going to call you out. (and don't even get me started on "urbanization.") I'm not going to sugar coat it. I'm not going to go out of my way to be nice about it because of delicate sensibilities or political correctness. I'm going to say, "bruh. you got me ALL THE WAY fucked up. here's how. here's why. here's one POSSIBLE fix/avenue of education/personal experience of mine/etc). and if that scares you? think about why. because let me tell you, the same shit used to scare me and I let that be the reason I didn't write black girls as main characters. and I'm glad I didn't. I wasn't ready to write us then. (we were too good for the Candice of days past.) and you know, there's a good chance you aren't ready either. that doesn't mean you shouldn't ever. it means you can use this time and bolster whatever fucking nerve and resolve you need to get that shit straight. it means you can nod to POC authors who are getting that shit right and authentic on the first go. I will give you criticism. it will be swift and mighty. and, like a hard fuck in the backseat of a Toyota, you may or mayn't like it. but at least you'll be better for it. and you'll be one small step closer to getting it right.
and you know what else? THANK YOU to Ava and Adrianne and Jeanne and whoever else for talking about this. It needed talking about. you assholes who are telling people not to write outside their experiences if they "can't get it right"? fuck you. fuck you fuck you fuck you. how dare you. that's not okay! Jesus, take the wheel! do better! and I'm out this bitch. 🙋🏾✌🏾💯

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