Character Profile: Sampson Tuner

Description

 He’s six-four, 220lbs, with black hair and dark brown eyes and skin. He’s 39 and has big ears and works as an electrician with a local construction company.

Personality

 Sampson is stoic and aloof, an alpha male type. He’s a know-it-all and can be gruff, but he has a good work ethic. He’s old school when it comes to punishments and secretly resents Travis because of the trust fund his wife’s parents set up for him, while he must scrimp and save every penny just to have a rare night out. As a former lieutenant in the army corps of engineers he demands respect.

Likes

  He likes working with his hands, building things, and fixing antique cars and scooters. He also likes southern foods like corn bread, sweet potatoes, yams, ham hocks and collard greens, BBQ ribs, baked macaroni and cheese, honey glazed ham, jambalaya, red beans and rice, Beer Can chicken, and chitterlings. He also likes tinkering with electronics and is a ham radio enthusiast.

Dislikes

 Sampson dislikes anyone who looks down upon him or underestimates his intelligence because he’s Black and works construction. He also dislikes people assuming he went into the army because he wasn’t smart enough to get into college, when he actually has a master’s in electrical engineering. He hates lazy people and people who game the system and make hard working folks like him look bad.

Goals

  Sampson’s primary goal is raising his kids to be productive members of society. Second, is keeping Travis in the dark about his powers as long as he can. Third, he wants to make enough money to live comfortably instead of barely making ends meet.

Desires

Sampson desires to be respected and valued by his coworkers, to make it into the upper middle class and to live out his golden years in luxury, travelling the world with his wife.

Fears

  Sampson’s greatest fears are (1) his wife cheating on him or divorcing him, (2) being destitute, and (3) Travis learning about his powers and the full extent to which Sampson and his wife allowed the government to experiment on Travis.

Morality/ Religious Beliefs

  Morally, Sampson is lawful good. He follows the rules, even when they don’t make sense, or he doesn’t agree with them. Religiously, he’s Methodist but only goes to church on the major holidays.

Political Alignment

  Sampson is a centrist democrat, conservative on fiscal matters, liberal on some social issues like gay rights, while conservative on others like abortion.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading this post and share it on social media with your friends. Next week’s post will profile Travis’s sister Amber.

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But Not Too Black

Introduction

As I wrote in YA So White there is a lack of Black characters in YA; specifically, Black characters are often rendered as sidekicks to the white protagonists, only there to give them support and advance their arc. Or they are whitewashed, stripped of all their flavor to please the bland palates of white readers.

 And in the worst cases they are reduced to passive objects for the white characters to swoon over, as documented by Aisha Monet in her medium.com article Queer Love Interests of Color and the White Gaze. Be it Blue from Simon v. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, Abbey from Leah Out Loud, Dre from The State of Us, or even Starr from The Hate U Give, Black bodies are reduced to mates for white characters.

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Review: Felix Ever After

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender is a queer romance mystery that centers on seventeen-year-old Felix Love, who’s about to graduate from his private high school but has never been kissed, much less in love. Felix is a trans male of color and his father has a hard time accepting him, so he spends most of his time at his best friend Ezra’s apartment. Ezra’s parents are super rich and bought him his own apartment so he could attend their school’s summer art program.

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YA So White: Decentering Whiteness in Young Adult Literature

A Great Big White World

Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Katniss Everdeen, Tris Prior, Clary Fray, Hazel Grace Lancaster. What do these all have in common? They are all characters from popular YA Novels. But they are also all white, and this is problematic because Black, brown, indigenous, and other kids of color need to see themselves reflected in the books they read.  

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Readers Don’t Owe You Shit

R

Introduction

Recently, I read an article on medium.com about how diversity has become a genre onto itself, something that I plan to write about in a later post.

However, what struck me about this article, and why it prompted me to write this in response, was how the white, cis, het,  male writer lamented about how political correctness had gone too far and was hurting people like him.

The example he gave was how people used to come up to him while at restaurants—he supposes to get his autograph, but they were too shy to ask him—before the boycott of North Carolina’s infamous bathroom bill that forced transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender they were assigned at birth instead of the one they identified with.

He then went on to talk about how it’s historically inaccurate to have black and other marginalized people in stories set in medieval Europe, even though a cursory search would have revealed African and Arab people where around back then; they were just called Moors and blackamoors or black Moors.

This is an old retort from writers not willing to have marginalized people in their stories, and this post was just another in the long procession of posts that have been written decrying how white people are no longer the center of the world and can no longer spout their bigoted views with impunity.

Content Creators Owe Us Nothing.

However, one thing I agree with this writer on is how he doesn’t have to include diverse characters in his stories.

No one should be forced to create stories and characters they don’t want to, because doing so results in content that rings hollow and doesn’t please anyone.

In recent years, there has been a push for more diverse works, and if a content creator misses the mark on one or more areas of representation, this result is harsh criticism, which is fine. However, making death threats and ruining people’s lives because they didn’t create something to your liking is not fucking okay.

Sure, boycott said creators and their work all you want because capitalism is supposed to be about voting with your dollars. But what you can’t do is demand they create things you want.

Content creators don’t owe us shit.

However, the reverse is also true.

Don’t Expect Us to Show Up

If writers and others don’t create stories with diverse characters, then they can’t complain when people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and other marginalized people don’t buy said content.

I could spend my time and money on a million things. So why should I consume media that doesn’t deem people like me worthy enough to be in it?

I’m not saying every story must have diverse characters, but the default shouldn’t be white, cis, het ones either.

Conclusion

Content creators should be free to make whatever media they want, and marginalized folks should have media that reflects them.

What should we do then?

That answer is to let the marketplace decide.

For decades, the mainstream media has been slow to include narratives that are more inclusive. So, people made their own. And, ultimately, that’s the solution.

If we want our stories told, then we must be the ones telling them.

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Character Interview: Travis

Introduction

Welcome! Today marks the beginning of periodic series where I’ll be posting character interviews about the main and supporting characters form The Phoenix Diaries, my dark fantasy/sci-fi YA series.

Here’s a bit of background about the series.

Bullied for most of his life, due to burn scars covering most of his face and upper body, twelve-year-old Travis Turner has grown to hate humanity. So when Oblivion, The Father of Demons, reveals Travis is his vessel, prophesied to bring on the end of everything, and offers Travis untold power in exchange for joining him, we’re screwed.

Or we would be.

Travis lives his life by a strict set of rules, chief among them that dependence upon anyone for anything is a weakness he will not abide.

He rebuffs Oblivion, and in doing so triggers a fight for his very soul. However, when  all seems is lost, a great power, which had lain dormant until then, awakens in Travis, allowing him to narrowly defeat Oblivion. But  not before Oblivion attempts to possess Travis, inadvertently giving him a portion of his powers in the process, leaving Travis forever changed.

Following this first of many battles with Oblivion, Travis must learn to master his powers while avoiding the DMRC (a government agency created to capture kids with special abilities like Travis), and deal with his blossoming feelings for JJ Giovanni, a boy at his school.

Interview

Tyerone Johnson: Now that the preliminaries are over, how about introducing yourself?

Travis Turner: Must I? There are so many more important things I could be doing with my time.

TJ: Keep this up and I’ll make Phoenix the main character.

TT: I’d like to see you try.

TJ: Don’t tempt me. Now behave like a good boy or I’ll put your story on hold.

TT: You wouldn’t.

TJ: I would.

TT: (gulps) I’ll behave.

My name is Travis Marshall Huey-Newton Turner, eldest progeny of Sampson and Sarah Turner, grandson of Marshall and Helena Aurum, and heir to the Cadmus fortune. I’m twelve years, seven months, and three days old; five feet and two inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. Though lately my hair and eyes have been changing colors. Also, I’m biracial and have mahogany colored skin Well, what isn’t covered in burn scars that is.

TJ: Now was that so hard?

TT: (Flips the bird)

TJ: Moving on. Tell me a bit about your childhood.

TT: What’s there to tell? I’ve spent most of my life in and other of the hospital, one surgery, or infection after the other.

TJ: Right, and would you say being alone so much is want has made you such an antisocial psychopath?

TT: I don’t need anyone. People come and go from our lives without any reason or rhythm, so we can only depend on ourselves.

“TJ: Is that one of your rules?

TT: Rule one to be precise. Moreover, as for being an “antisocial psycho,” it’s a wonder I haven’t slaughtered the whole fucking lot of you.

TJ: Watch the language, kid.

TT: Newsflash, dude. You created me with a foul mouth.

TJ: True, but could you tone things done for the duration of this interview? Moving on. You said we can only depend on ourselves. Do you think that maybe you believe this because everyone who was supposed to be there for you wasn’t?

TT: (smirking) What? You fancy yourself an psychologist now?

TJ: You didn’t answer my question.

TT: And I won’t.

TJ: Then answer me this: Is there anyone you trust completely, unquestionable?

TT: No. Trust must never be given completely. Today’s ally could become tomorrow’s enemy.

TJ: Another one of your rules?

TT: (Folding arms over chest) You say that as though there’s something wrong with rules.

TJ: Nothing. So, tell me about Joshua “JJ” Giovanni.

TT: (sloughing) I’d rather not.

TJ: So, you don’t think he’s cute?

TT: Perhaps, if he weren’t such a bag of douche juice to me all the time.

TJ: I believe the correct term is douche bag.

TT: No, I’m talking about a bag of the liquid that comes out once you’ve applied the douche. Moreover, why are you asking me about Giovanni?

TJ: Why are you getting so defensive? Could it be that you like Josh?

TT: (scowling) I have more important things to worry about than if I have a crush on Giovanni. And that’s a pretty damn big if.

TJ: No need for you to get mad. This is a safe space.

TT: If you must know, when it comes to Giovanni, the few times we’ve hung out alone it was cool. I guess. However, that doesn’t mean I have a crush on him or that I think he’s cute.

Pro: And the award for biggest bullshitter of the year goes to…Travis Turner.

TT: Oh, you can go fuck yourself with a rusty hacksaw.

TJ: Boys, language!. Pro, what are you doing here? Your interview won’t be for another few weeks.

P: I know, but I couldn’t stand to keep hearing this punk ass bitch lying like a mug. I share headspace with the nig—

TJ: What did I say about language?

P: A’ight chill. As I was saying, I share headspace with the negro, so I know he’s fronting over here about his crush on JJ.

TT: Why you motherf—

(Travis and Pro get in a massive brawl and the interview ends)

Conclusion

Well that was interesting.

Call to Action

What did you think?

Should I continue with these interviews?

And if so, how often would you like to read them? Let me know in the comments. And if you liked this post be sure to share it with on social media.

Kidults: YA, Arrested Development, and A way Forward

Introduction

Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, and Twilight, these young adult series have topped the Best Sellers’ list and generated billions at the box office.

Not bad for kids’ books, huh?

But what is young adult?

What YA is and isn’t

Depending upon who you ask, young adult (YA) is an age range for books, a genre unto itself, or both.

Generally, YA is targeted at readers between twelve and eighteen, ( though as you will see, the readership skews older in many cases), and focuses on teenage characters as they begin exploring their world, deciding for themselves who they are, what they want to be, and how they fit in or don’t as the case often is.

However, merely having teenage characters in a work doesn’t make it YA. Unless the growth and emotional experiences of the teen characters is the primary focus, then it’s just an adult story with teen characters.

Not Just for Kids

One of the staples of YA novels is the coming of age tale, and as such, readers of all ages can relate to them.

This is partially why, according to a 2012 study, over 55% of YA readers are over the age of eighteen, and some estimates have put that figure as high as 70%.

This raises the question why adults would want to read books for kids.

Why YA?

You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.

― Madeleine L’Engle

An overlooked answer is YA novels are well-written books that pull on the heartstrings of readers of all ages.

I admit to being a recovering Potter Head, and I’m sure many of you out there can say the same.

The truth is just because a book is for kids, doesn’t mean it must be simplistic.

Many times YA books have been at the forefront of addressing social issues like sexual assault, bullying, teen suicide, and police brutality against people of color, while adult novels have lagged on these issues.

Moreover, because the pressure to write a “grownup” book has been taken off them, YA writers can and have produced works that are genuine and heartfelt.

Isle of Misfit Toys

 Another reason YA is so appealing to older adult readers, is that they are adrift in a world they don’t understand, much like the teen protagonists in these books.

Parents told us Millennials if we worked hard, got decent grades, and went to college, we could be whatever we wanted and have a good life. Except in many cases what happened is we did all that and now have a mountain of student loan debt and jobs that have little to nothing to do with our majors because capitalism doesn’t care about your dreams if they aren’t marketable.

Add on to this the economic collapse of 2008 and depressed wages, and is it any wonder many of us would rather spend time in a fantasy world where we don’t have to deal with “adulting”?

The Greatest Generation Ever

As I alluded to above, many millennials grew up with their parents telling them that they could be whatever they wanted, and in many cases that they were special and great at whatever they did.

So, once they got out into the real world and discovered that not only weren’t they the greatest things ever, but that they were barely above average, there were much butt-hurt to be had.

It’s only natural they’d turn to stories were the average kid turns out to be the chosen one or special in some way, because the truth of our mediocrity is too much for many of us to bear. So, we grab the latest YA novel and forget we’re adults for a while.

But there comes a point when we must put away childish things and be adults.

The Family that Reads Together

I would be remised if I didn’t point out that many adults read YA so they know what their kids or grandkids are reading, and in some cases, they will read YA books and then pass them on to their younger relatives.

There’s nothing wrong with this, and this can spark conversations between older and younger readers about how they see the world.

However, the problem lies in adults who use YA novels as a crutch to avoid real life.

So how can this change?

A Way Forward

New Adult (NA) is an emerging genre that focuses on college-aged and post-college-aged protagonists that are dealing with the growing pains of entering the adult work force, having their first serious relationship, and finding their place in the world.

This genre shares many of the same characteristics as YA, except the problems the characters face are more complex than which boy or girl will go with them to prom.

If more publishers published YA, then more writers would write it and this would go a long way to giving adult readers healthy books to read.

And when I say healthy books, I’m referring to unhealthy things such as how during the height of the Twilight craze, women in their thirties and over proudly flaunted their crushes on Edward and Jacob. Teenage characters.

Moreover, by not moving past these teenage protagonists and their immature problems, adult readers of YA stay stuck in a juvenile mindset.

Conclusion

I’m not throwing shade at all adult readers of YA. Read what you like.

I’m merely pointing out that these books are supposed to be for teens, and by reading them, some adults are choosing to reject reality in live in a state of arrested development.

This isn’t good for anyone.

Yes, read about Harry, Catniss, Clary, and Bella, but then go outside and be a part of the real world. Because the only way the world will change, is if we participate in it.  

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