Question about racism in stories (Please comment) - Comments

@ ebony_goddess
Okay.

@ January Rose
I'm currently doing some research. My people didn't go through slavery, but our country was colonised by the English, so I know nothing of slavery. Just a few bits and pieces. So once I finish watching these documentaries and reading stuff as well as watching a few movies I will start. Might take a month or even a few weeks.

@ ebony_goddess
When do you think you'll start the story?

@ January Rose
Yeah :) most people are saying that, so I have decided to just go right ahead and do it.

It's your story and I think if it adds to the story and doesn't mean to offend anyone, then you should put those kind of words in there. Sure, I'm not a huge fan of those kind of words but this is a story that deals with racism. And if you want to make it realistic, those kind of words would be in your story. As long as the words aren't meant to hurt someone (in real life) it should be okay.

@ Sorceress:.
Thank you for the comment, it's very helpful and I am still watching all these documentaries about slavery and movies, listening to spiritual songs the slaves used to sing. It's going to be a while till I actually post it, but I will send you a message when I begin. Promise :)

I feel like it's appropriate to use racial slurs in writing if racism is the context of the story. Like people definitely used terms like nigger and (I actually don't know many racial slurs so I'm just going to leave this here...), back then. Think of it like this; there was no respect for blacks in that time, so everyone let their freak flag fly so to speak when it came to being complete and total assholes to them. I think putting that in your story would make it more realistic but also provoke a lot of thought; it puts the reader in a position of "Oh my God I get how awful those times were now." because a lot of times you don't realize how horrible an event was until you read a book or see a movie based in that time; like when I watched The Help , I was in near tears by the end because I realized how bad those times were. I don't think anyone would be offended at all because you're just trying to stay authentic. I would also love to see this story when you post it ♥

@ mia san mia.
thank you :)

You can include racist terms and ethnic slurs as long as the story is rated appropriately. PG-13 minimum, although the slavery idea sounds like it would make it R. I think most people understand that authors use these terms for characterisation and authenticity rather than trying to offend the reader.