daisycalloway:

Lately, I noticed an alarming problem regarding book edits. I see this coming from book fandom where there are POC characters. I was guilty of doing the same thing with my old graphics, but I stopped and unlearned it.

It’s given, countless of people actively whitewashed canon POC. This is a huge problem that needs to stop immediately. But whitewashing doesn’t only come in one form.

Lightening the skin of POC, to the point their skin is transparent. That is very hurtful and you need to stop doing it. This is not aesthetic, this is whitewashing. Find a different editing style, that doesn’t change the natural skin color of POC.

Another class of whitewashing, using a light skinned model for a character that meant to be dark skinned. I am Filipino and I am light skinned. That is a privilege and my experience is different compared to dark skinned Filipino. If you can help it, please stick with the accurate description of the author.

In addition to this, I also noticed some graphic makers who like to interchange certain races. This is very pervasive in Cassie Clare’s fandom. This past few months, I saw plenty of edits where fans used Korean actors for Jem. He is Chinese, use a Chinese actor. You can’t do that simply because you like Korean better. Stop re-establishing all Asians look alike.

There are POC who had to unlearn their internalize racism. Its true, there are communities, where having a white skin and western features is regarded as far superior. Don’t rob us of our representation. Don’t rob us the opportunity to see ourselves in books. Don’t take our stories away.

Whitewashing is very easy to avoid. When reading a book, be aware of the description the authors used. They are always there. Take note.

If the series has an enormous following, there are high chances they have a wikia page. Wikia page is an insightful site, they usually provide a physical description of the characters.

Talking to fellow fans help as well. Most importantly, authors. You can ask them what’s the exact ethnicity, or description of the characters.

It is time consuming. But if you want to be a good ally, you need to exert an effort.

To my fellow readers and authors if you see a whitewashed edit. Please contact the graphic maker and tell them what they did wrong. They can always rectify it by reposting their edit with the proper fancast. If you’re a graphic maker and you do this, its not too late to change your editing style and habits. When someone calls you out, say sorry and you’ll do better next time. Please reblog to save a life.