History SoYouWantTo / AvoidUnfortunateImplications

Whether you're creating something that may or may not touch on known issues, or you're wanting to avoid creating new tropes with their own UnfortunateImplications, you may find it useful to have a simple guide to handling potentially loaded tropes and situations with care.

This guide is intended only as a simplistic overview not applicable to each and every situation (and sometimes ignoring its advice may be a good idea), and some of you may know far more than it illustrates. Its purpose is to help the average writer without much experience in social justice activism (except maybe within his/her/their own group) avoid creating unintended offense and/or badly creating intended offense.

* ''''' Do not assume the ViewersAreMorons, do not use SmallReferencePools, and refuse to play to the LowestCommonDenominator'''''. This is as close to a "golden rule" of avoiding UnfortunateImplications as one can get. Specifically, assume that your viewers will be of a diverse nature, smart enough to understand implications, and expecting well-rounded, interesting characters and plotlines in many cases. Even if they are JustHereForGodzilla or {{Fanservice}}, your objective is to assume that even Godzilla battling [[EverybodyRemembersTheStripper an armada of strippers]] will not make the viewers morons who ignore everything else along the way.
** As for the LowestCommonDenominator, there is a reason it is a virtual TrojanHorse of tropes with unfortunate implications. That's because in many societies, the LowestCommonDenominator ''is'' playing to bigotry, specifically racism and sexism, and opens the door for the worst mistake one can make in creating bad implications--not thinking.

* If you're looking into a potentially problematic or controversial issue, do your research. Read up on it, look for accounts of those with experience, maybe even talk to people involved in those areas. The more understanding and perspective you have on the issue, the more effectively you'll be able to write about it. However, please keep in mind that no one is obligated to share their experiences and some may find such questions uncomfortable or offensive, especially if the one doing the asking is an outsider. Finally, it might be worth letting someone with experience in these areas--and whose opinion you trust and respect--have a look over your work to offer their comment; they might be able to pick up on potentially problematic areas that you have missed.
** Even so, don't make the mistake of thinking that any one person can be the main spokesperson of an entire group. If you find yourself having to explain that you did do your research to people who are still upset, it may turn out to be, or be perceived as, a case of SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX.

* Treat all characters as people regardless of race, gender, etc. Are characters of a specific group being marginalized or [[PositiveDiscrimination ludicrously idealized]]? Is the character a legitimate part of the story or is said character in it solely for the sake of filling a TokenMinority slot?

* Write characters, not caricatures. '''Never write stereotypes.''' You can have an Asian character who is smart or a black character who is athletic, but people are more than just one character trait.
** Behavioral or cultural characteristics are not inherent aspects of race, apparent gender, or genetics. However, this does not mean they should be ignored either. It's never a bad idea to research why social constructs such as ethnic identity exist and how they affect people (and your characters). See the second bullet point on this page.

* Go to the RapeTropes index. See all of the incredibly misguided at best and horrifically awful ways existing media has depicted rape or dubiously consensual sex. If after this you still wish to include one or more of these in your work, ask yourself why?
** Is it for simple cheap fetish thrills? If it is, be honest with yourself that that's what it is, do your ''damnedest'' to make it clear that the story is a fantasy or screwed-up kink that ''should never happen'' in reality, and make use of trigger warnings. Or, better yet, go look at the ways to make it into SafeSaneAndConsensual BDSM as opposed to actual rape.
** Is it for a wangsty backstory or to make the viewers feel sad for/sorry for someone? Reconsider it. Look up TearJerker and think of ways OTHER than rape, because RapeIsTheNewDeadParents. RapeAsBackstory is overdone, and especially for throwaway angst, there's many other worthy ways it can happen than rape.
** Is it for BlackComedy? Then make it as absurd and obviously unrealistic as possible. You are CrossingTheLineTwice, so at least try to make it so obviously absurdly stupid, over the top, and FanDisservice that, while it's a joke, it's a joke at the idea of rape itself and/or at the expense of rapists. And use your trigger warnings.
** Is it really intended for RapeAsDrama, with all attendant respect it deserves as a traumatic experience? Then [[ShownTheirWork DO THE RESEARCH.]] Go to RAINN, go to sites for victims, read and listen to interviews with victims, and be prepared to be depressed, angry, and sickened. Are you? That's good - you are at least aware of how bad rape actually is. Then, and only then, prepare yourself to write all of your understanding and emotions into your fully developed character, and prepare to devote considerable time in the work to this.

* Consider who you are putting at the center of the story. Is it reasonable for a MightyWhitey outsider to take leadership and save the day rather than native leaders with lots of experience of solving problems on their own turf? Remember that characters do not necessarily have to be white, male, or heterosexual. Every culture has something to share, and having a more variegated cast adds a more diverse outlook on life.

* Don't make evil groups or evil characters [[SpaceJews distinctive for an appearance feature that parallels a specific real world race or culture]] and especially do not make them parallel to said culture. Your "aliens" who happen to have hooked noses, wear hats that suspiciously look like yarmulkes, and who are greedy bankers aren't "cute" or "getting crap past the radar", they're a stereotype recycled.

* For the straight YaoiFangirls and YuriFanboys, keep in mind that real gay and bisexual people exist, and some of them ''are'' also fans of yaoi and yuri as well. This doesn't mean that all of your stories have to have aesops about LGBTQI rights or be entirely 100 percent realistic - in fact, going off on an AuthorFilibuster about this or driving your characters out of character to do it is one of the worst mistakes you can make, because it makes you look like a WhiteKnight as well as showing off privilege. It does mean that having your characters be unexamined stereotypes of LGBTQI people will be noticed and taken badly, and it does mean you should understand at least a little beyond what you learn from porn or SlashFic or manga or whatever.

* Be '''extremely''' judicious when applying the RuleOfFunny. If you find yourself using this as a [[JustJokingJustification justification]] when called out for [[DidNotDoTheResearch not doing your research,]] you've probably already invoked UnfortunateImplications. This is another good reason to have people related to the issues you raise vet your work.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, age (young or old), religion, gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, species (whether you are writing SpeculativeFiction or not), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to specify that every being in, say, a nation, does not belong to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

* Be ''very'' careful in regard to children or young teenagers (or childlike looking characters) and how you choose to depict them. The TokenMiniMoe, the Really700YearsOld childlike, and the underage-looking {{Uke}} may be nigh-omnipresent characters especially in {{anime}}, {{manga}}, and VisualNovels, but often these characters are created solely to pander to a [[{{lolicon}} specific]] [[{{shotacon}} demographic]], one you may not want your work associated with (or one you may not want associating with your work or yourself). If there is no valid plot reason for their existence beyond a HandWave created just so they can be there, at least consider the idea of making the character an older teenager or an adult instead, ''especially'' if the character is portrayed as sexually available.

* With respect to sociopolitical issues, absolutely avoid painting exponents of any ideology with a broad brush. Words such as conservative, liberal, democracy, and dictatorship will not mean the same thing to everyone. Two individuals with the same basic politics may still have a lot to disagree about. Also do not assume that two ideologies that seem to be at odds in some issues will be polar opposites in all things. Some conflicting ideologies may have little more than subtle differences. And being pro-something does not neccesarily mean being anti-anything else. Pride in one's culture, creed, or ethnic heritage, for example does not neccesarily say anything on their view towards other cultures, creeds or ethnicities.
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** Is it for simple cheap fetish thrills? If it is, be honest with yourself that that's what it is, do your ''damnedest'' to make it clear that the story is a fantasy or screwed-up kink that ''should never happen'' in reality, and make use of trigger warnings. Or, better yet, go look at the ways to make it into SafeSaneConsensual BDSM as opposed to actual rape.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, age (young or old), religion, gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction, and even if you're not), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to specify that every being in, say, a nation, does not belong to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, gender, sexuality, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction, and even if you're not), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to specify that every being in, say, a nation, does not belong to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

** Even so, remember that {{YMMV}} on many such hot buttons, even among impacted minorities. Don't make the mistake of thinking that any one person can be the main spokesperson of an entire group. If you find yourself having to explain that you did do your research to people who are still upset, it may turn out to be, or be perceived as, a case of SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX.

** Is it for BlackComedy? Then make it as absurd and obviously unrealistic as possible. You are CrossingTheLineTwice, so at least try to make it so obviously absurdly stupid, over the top, and FetishRetardant that, while it's a joke, it's a joke at the idea of rape itself and/or at the expense of rapists. And use your trigger warnings.

** Behavioral or cultural characteristics are not inherent aspects of race, apparent gender, or genetics. However, this does not mean they should be ignored either. It's never a bad idea to research why social constructs such as ethnic identity exist and how they affect people (and your characters). See the second bullet point on this page.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, gender, sexuality, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction, and even if you're not), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to specify that every being in, say, a nation, does not belong to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, gender, sexuality, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction, and even if you're not), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction, and even if you're not), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group. Most Germans in World War II weren't Nazis, for example. It's also good characterization not to make every single member of an organization [[CardCarryingVillain flat-out evil]] or [[CompleteMonster monstrous]], as that rarely is the case in real life.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group. It's also good characterization not to make every member of an organization flat-out evil.

** Even so, remember that {{YMMV}} on many such hot buttons, even among impacted minorities. If you find yourself having to explain that you did do your research to people who are still upset, it may turn out to be, or be perceived as, a case of SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX.

* Write characters, not caricatures. You can have an Asian character who is smart or a black character who is athletic, but people are more than just one character trait.

* Consider who you are putting at the center of the story. Is it reasonable for a MightyWhitey outsider to take leadership and save the day rather than native leaders with lots of experience of solving problems on their own turf? Remember that characters do not necessarily have to be white and male. Every culture has something to share, and having a more variegated cast adds a more diverse outlook on life.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race, ethnicity, nationality, species (if you are writing SpeculativeFiction), or groups of sentient beings in general. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group, and specify that simply being in an evil institution may not make some people entirely evil.

* If you're looking into a potentially problematic or controversial issue, do your research. Read up on it, look for accounts of those with experience, maybe even talk to people involved in those areas. The more understanding and perspective you have on the issue, the more effectively you'll be able to write about it. Similarly, it might be worth letting someone with experience in these areas--and whose opinion you trust and respect--have a look over your work to offer their comment; they might be able to pick up on potentially problematic areas that you have missed.

** Behavioral or cultural characteristics are not inherent aspects of race, apparent gender, or genetics. However, this does not mean they should be ignored either. It's never a bad idea to research why social constructs such as racial identity exist and how they affect people (and your characters). See the second bullet point on this page.

* Write characters, not caricatures. Many Asians are smart and many blacks are athletic, but people are more than just one character trait. Don't tie behavioral or cultural characteristics to race, apparent gender, or genetics.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a ethnic or a group of sentient beings. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group, and specify that simply being in an evil institution may not make some people entirely evil.

* Treat all characters as people regardless of race, gender, etc. Are characters of a specific group being marginalized or [[PositiveDiscrimination ludicrously idealized]]?

* Don't tie behavioral or cultural characteristics to race, apparent gender, or genetics.

* Write characters, not caricatures. Many Asians are smart and many blacks are athletic, but people are more than just one character trait.

* Consider who you are putting at the center of the story. Is it reasonable for a MightyWhitey outsider to take leadership and save the day rather than native leaders with lots of experience of solving problems on their own turf?

* Treat all characters as people regardless of race, gender, etc. Are characters of a specific group being marginalized or [[PositiveDiscrimination ludicrously idealized]]?

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a ethnic or a group of sentient beings. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group, and specify that simply being in an evil institution may not make some people entirely evil. For example, go ahead and make your [[ANaziByAnyOtherName stand-in for]] NaziGermany or ImperialJapan AlwaysChaoticEvil in regard to its policies, the BigBad involved, etc. But remember that even among those institutions there were people who were not--go look up the RealLife stories of John Rabe (a Nazi who saved women in China from the Japanese during the Rape of Nanking) or Sempo Sugihara (an Imperial Japanese official that helped Jews escape the Holocaust).

* In regard to stereotypes, be aware of them and remember that TropesAreTools. You can use them, and you can play them straight if you wish to do so and it works in the setting of your story, but please don't use them lazily and do consider ways you can play with the trope. Maybe have your French person be an ActionGirl, LeeroyJenkins, HollywoodNerd, and/or BloodKnight instead of a FrenchMaid FrenchJerk CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkey? Or have the Asian guy win the figurative or literal dick-measuring contest?

* Remember your minorities and how they contrast with your hegemonic cast. To you it may not be a big deal that the women fall quiet before a big decision has to be made, that [[BlackGuyDiesFirst the first person to die happens to be black]] or that your [[ButNotTooGay sexual minorities are chaste]] [[HideYourLesbians or don't show up as often]] compared to the rest of the cast, but someone is going to notice.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a ethnic or a group of sentient beings. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group, and specify that simply being in an evil institution may not make some people entirely evil. For example, go ahead and make your [[ANaziByAnyOtherName stand-in for]] NaziGermany or ImperialJapan AlwaysChaoticEvil in regard to its policies, the BigBad involved, etc. But remember that even among those institutions there were people who were not--go look up the RealLife stories of John Rabe (a Nazi who saved women in China from the Japanese during the Rape of Nanking) or Sempo Sugihara (an Imperial Japanese official that helped Jews escape the Holocaust).

* Consider who you are putting at the center of the story. Is it reasonable for a [[MightyWhitey white outsider]] to take leadership and save the day rather than native leaders with lots of experience of solving problems on their own turf?

* ''''' Do not assume the ViewersAreMorons, do not use SmallReferencePools, and refuse to play to the LowestCommonDenominator'''''. This is as close to a "golden rule" of avoiding UnfortunateImplications as one can get. Specifically, assume that your viewers will be of a diverse nature, smart enough to understand implications, and expecting well-rounded, interesting characters and plotlines in many cases. Even if they are JustHereForGodzilla or {{Fanservice}}, your objective is to assume that even Godzilla or [[EverybodyRemembersTheStripper an armada of strippers]] will not make the viewers morons who ignore everything else along the way.

* Be '''extremely''' judicious when applying the RuleOfFunny. If you find yourself using this as a [[JustJokingJustification justification]] when called out for [[DidNotDoTheResearch not doing your research,]] you've probably already invoked UnfortunateImplications. This is another good reason to have people related to the issues you raise vet your work.

* ''''' Do not assume the ViewersAreMorons, do not use SmallReferencePools and refuse to play to the LowestCommonDenominator'''''. This is as close to a "golden rule" of avoiding UnfortunateImplications as one can get. Specifically, assume that your viewers will be of a diverse nature, smart enough to understand implications, and expecting well-rounded, interesting characters and plotlines in many cases. Even if they are JustHereForGodzilla or {{Fanservice}}, your objective is to assume that even Godzilla or [[EverybodyRemembersTheStripper an armada of strippers]] will not make the viewers morons who ignore everything else along the way.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a ethnic or a group of sentient beings. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group, and specify that simply being in an evil institution may not make some people entirely evil. For example, go ahead and make your stand-in for NaziGermany or ImperialJapan AlwaysChaoticEvil in regard to its policies, the BigBad involved, etc. But remember that even among those institutions there were people who were not--go look up the RealLife stories of John Rabe (a Nazi who saved women in China from the Japanese during the Rape of Nanking) or Sempo Sugihara (an Imperial Japanese official that helped Jews escape the Holocaust).

* ''''' Do not assume the ViewersAreMorons, and refuse to play to the LowestCommonDenominator'''''. This is as close to a "golden rule" of avoiding UnfortunateImplications as one can get. Specifically, assume that your viewers will be of a diverse nature, smart enough to understand implications, and expecting well-rounded, interesting characters and plotlines in many cases. Even if they are JustHereForGodzilla or {{Fanservice}}, your objective is to assume that even Godzilla or [[EverybodyRemembersTheStripper an armada of strippers]] will not make the viewers morons who ignore everything else along the way.

* [[AC: Do not assume the ViewersAreMorons, and refuse to play to the LowestCommonDenominator]]. This is as close to a "golden rule" of avoiding UnfortunateImplications as one can get. Specifically, assume that your viewers will be of a diverse nature, smart enough to understand implications, and expecting well-rounded, interesting characters and plotlines in many cases. Even if they are JustHereForGodzilla or {{Fanservice}}, your objective is to assume that even Godzilla or [[EverybodyRemembersTheStripper an armada of strippers]] will not make the viewers morons who ignore everything else along the way.

* Don't make evil groups or evil characters [[SpaceJews distinctive for an appearance feature that parallels a specific real world race or culture]] and especially do not make them parallel to said culture. Your "aliens" who happen to have hooked noses, wear hats that suspiciously look like yarmulkes, and who are greedy bankers aren't "cute" or "getting crap past the radar", they're a sickening stereotype recycled.

* Do not apply AlwaysChaoticEvil to a race or a group of sentient beings. It can be less problematically applied to an institution or corporation or movement or whatever, but even with that, be careful to not specify that every being in, say, a nation, belongs to that group, and specify that simply being in an evil institution may not make some people entirely evil. For example, go ahead and make your stand-in for NaziGermany or ImperialJapan AlwaysChaoticEvil in regard to its policies, the BigBad involved, etc. But remember that even among those institutions there were people who were not--go look up the RealLife stories of John Rabe (a Nazi who saved women in China from the Japanese during the Rape of Nanking) or Sempo Sugihara (an Imperial Japanese official that helped Jews escape the Holocaust).