I have a question about what the most appropriate way to describe skin colour or introduce the race of your characters?

[Guest]

I mean (African Americans)..

[Taylor]

For the love of God, do not compare to food or over sexualize this character. After writing it, maybe seek help from someone who specializes in reading for sensitivity.

[Peggy]

just write, black, African American, describe their skin color in your book chocolate, mocha, tanned vanilla

Beads of water slid down his creamy caramel skin, as he rinsed the suds off her cinnamon stick colored skin... lol I literally just made that up

How ppl are going to know and envision if you don't describe

[Lisa]

I like and agree with Joseph's words on this. Plus adding maybe some of the places they might go, a restaurant/diner and the setting, depending on where they live. What about a church, or gospel choir, that is a possibility, maybe if set in the Southern part of U.S.? Maybe family reunions or get togethers, too. Because sometimes those are bigger gatherings, celebrations for people of color. I am part of this heritage, so I'm talking from what I knew growing up, too.

[SE Davies]

Wouldn't it be best to ask the black community rather than the African Americans. There are far more black Americans than African Americans.

Why would you call someone who is born in Ameruca... African American when they are clearly just American..

Do you call all white Americans... European Americans?
So why call all black Americans... African Americans?

It's 2023 you should know how to describe ethnic groups without being a d**k about it.

Is it even important?

[John]

Describe a black character the same way you’d describe a white character. Hair color and texture? Height? Weight or body type? Voice? Posture? And yes, skin tone/color.

But if you use descriptive words like “chocolate” or “mocha”, then I’ma look at you a little sideways.

[Reese]

Do not compare us to food. And how would you describe a non-Black person?

[Snyman]

I wrote a novel with the setting in South Africa. There is one prominent Kongolese character in the book as well, and between white, black, and very black, it would have been impossible for me to write without mentioning skin color, just because the cultures, viewpoints, and way of living are so vastly different. I do realize it's a whole different game in the US and elsewhere in Western Europe, but here on the African continent, we say it like it is and few are offended by it. Skin color is even written into the South African constitution, so to leave it out of literature would be just silly.

[Chris]

This person is looking for descriptive advice about how to describe something they aren't sure of. I hope some voices besides white men telling them not to "worry" about their description can chime in.