Recently, I've absolutely enjoyed Gene Luen Yang's Boxers and Saints and American Born Chinese, even as an American-born half-Japanese. Despite any cultural differences, many themes are universal and relatable. While its nice to experience something that is more in line with your own experiences (along the lines of…

I really wish that racial diversity was covered by non-white people more often on the nerdy sites I frequent. I feel like I see a fair number of larger-scale essays about women in comics/pop culture that are written by women, but far fewer by/about folks of color. Does anyone have any sites or writers they'd…

' "Mainstream" works do tend to have the larger budget to allow for slicker presentation, top-tier artists, etc.'

You're not "overcoming" anything by coming to the not-so-oblique realization that white people are not the only people on the planet and perhaps the interests of people of color and traditionally marginalized groups are equally important to those of the groups in power.

I was just listening to a podcast with Tobias Buckell and Karen Lord where they talk about the "hidden agenda" (in their case for international writers). It so blatantly perpetuates the idea that white-centered, mainstream culture is neutral but for those narratives, the "agenda" is just referred to as point of view…

What about diversity in tabletop roleplaying games? There was a little bit of blowback when all of the early artwork for 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons showed nothing but white males. There are also a few upcoming games that have made diversity an important part of the setting, including swashbuckling/clockpunk The…

Finding out what the butt-hurt white dudes are whining about online usually works for me!

I don't know who the people you're referring to are but that's not my impression. People want both. In fact, there's just as dynamic an issue with white creators being the only people powerful or high profile enough to push stories of POC forward (it's actually a big issue involving stories about Asia). That's in…

Sherlock Holmes, like any iconic character, is a perfect character to play with in this way. There's a reason so much of jazz uses old songs — standards — as a template for creativity. The familiar is often a perfect platform for innovation. See also: the dozens and dozens of stories based on myths, Shakespeare, etc.

Fantastic- thank you! I am guilty of crying in the wilderness and not looking at the beautiful trees in front of my face. This is a great resource for us at fbcfilms.com

Complete Shift? Not from me. I talk about it all the time.

Also? Mainstream stuff has by definition more money behind it. This means better advertising, more prestigious blurbs on the cover, well known publishers, snazzy movie trailers, easily accessible content. By definition it requires a certain degree of seeking out alternatives to find alternatives.

It's "interesting" that culture tends to get whitewashed, regardless. See "Wizard of Earthsea" and "Starship Troopers". Two books with lead characters who aren't white, but you'd never know it unless you'd read them. In fact even plenty of people who've read them probably haven't noticed.

Fans must support the diverse creators and properties they have instead of waiting for some mainstream comic company, publishing house, movie studio, or television network to find them worthy.

To be able to read and see books and comics that reflect myself and others is a wonderful feeling.

Poor defensive strategy, Jasmine. Men have been waiting for this since Total Recall first came out in 1990.

I saw "Brawl at Cardinals Game" and just assumed it was in St. Louis... Can you blame me?

My 6 year old son just asked me if that was his first time tackling someone.