Another February, another month of movies about black rights, slavery, liberty, freedom and so on and so on. I'm a proud black Jamaican and while I believe that being proud of your skin all year round and all life is a necessary act for everyone, it's good to have a month set aside to emphasize that.
An insecurity of mine is that I sometimes feel I don't create enough black characters. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sifting through my character's races like the culture of the planet depends on it. Yet a lot of my characters are white. I think it's based off in part the books I read. Most of the books I enjoyed as a teen had white characters. And no, I don't have some colour complex that involves me looking at white people like their gods or goddesses. Sorry but every race is just as human as the next one in my opinion. Now while some might ask why not read more books with black characters I will say this. I'm attracted to the story, I don;t care if you have the sexiest race of blue people, if the story doesn't pull me in. I will never touch the book. Ever. Also sadly in Jamaica a lot of books that actually do have characters of my own race (especially ones actually set in Jamaica) are often super expensive unless they're erotica like the author Zane writes. Also a lot falls under women's fiction and I'm more of a young adult reader so yeah. There is truly a need for more races in young adult books, and I mean main characters not minor side characters. Of course I'm one to talk but I hope to find more ya books with characters of my own race that interest me.
Also I do have two story ideas of my own set in Jamaica. Snow is a modern retelling of Snow White with a baby being born white skinned to black parents causing all kinds of controversy. This one I've already started writing and plan to release in 2014 as self-published. Another one Seer has a black teenage girl having the vision of an assassination attempt and all the craziness that ensues when she actually stops it and reveals her ability. This one I only have the idea down but still plan to write and hope to make into a series. Not sure if it's self-pub since I'd like to try and publish it locally.
So there you have it, my insecurity for all of you to see. Happy IWSG Wednesday everyone and remember to check out each other's posts.
Express Yourself Weekly Meme: Character Crushes
Today I'm participating in the Express Yourself Weekly Meme which is hosted by two lovely ladies. Now here are my character crushes.
Woverine! - Yes he deserves an exclamation because he's awesome! Whether in the movies, comics or cartoons Wolverine is a killer bad ass. Also he proves that you don't have to be a great bad ass anti-hero by using women. He'd hit a bad villainess as soon as sleep with or have a relationship with a woman. That and being one of the best heroes, x-men and character ever created makes me ready to follow him anywhere, anytime. Take me with you Wolverine. I promise to learn to fight and hold my own when I can. Also your powers are the best.
Professor Snape - When I see that billowing robe... Snape is one of my favourite characters ever. He knows how to make mean look suave and I'd help him with his Hogwarts work load any day. And who doesn't want to date an awesome wizards who can make all sorts of potions. I mean he's lethal even without the wand.
Alex's Wednesday Movie Quote
Hi this is my first time taking part in this. Alex makes up all kinds of fun stuff doesn't he? Here's my movie favourite quote for today from The Untouchables (1987).
Malone: You, you carry a badge?
Agent Oscar Wallace: Yes?
Malone: [gives him a shotgun] Carry a gun.
Agent Oscar Wallace: Yes?
Malone: [gives him a shotgun] Carry a gun.
