Lmao

The critiques actually hold weight when it’s clear the author has limited knowledge and experience on the historical issues they choose to write about—even in chapter one you could tell it was only going to get worse from there. The author could’ve easily used Korean history instead, something I’m assuming she’s better versed in. You should be able to write about any kind of character in my opinion, but it’s up to you to do the research and make sure what you’re writing is accurate and not based in ignorance. That’s the bare minimum

Even if she had done research and written better portrayals, someone would have not liked it. I've already seen ppl say that if you aren't X race that you shouldn't even write stories about X race. The Civil War era and by extension the Colonial and Reconstruction eras are highly critical periods involving slavery, the displacement of indigenous communities and tribes, and many -isms. You can read all you want about those periods, but many people argue that you shouldn't tell those stories if you aren't related to them because you don't understand the nuances of the topic because you aren't from said people.

I don't agree with that position but Jaxx was playing a dangerous game with the setting and characters, even if she had done extensive research because she was bound to write something that would piss people off. And people are particularly sensitive about the topics Jaxx was introducing (not in a snowflake sensitive way, but in a more aware of the topics and their impacts type of way btw). If for example Jaxx had only focused on cowboys, eventually she would introduce indigenous characters and however she wrote them would be dissected intensely because indigenous people have been stereotyped to the moon and back. It was bound to happen,

I mean you keep saying if jaxx researched better, if she did a perfect job, etc but the point is she just didn’t—I don’t really get focusing on a hypothetical outcome of unfair criticism over Jax’s portrayal of black and indigenous people, when she just didn’t pass the bar of the bare minimum of research. I understand that it’s discourse that has plagued other communities and fandoms, which I myself don’t agree with. There have been authors and creators of different races who have been able to portray minority characters and their history well, with nuance and well rounded social commentary. But in order to get to that level, you absolutely need to put more work in researching and getting the perspectives of those people, preferably directly from them (maybe through conversation or collaboration). Everyone has their own lived experiences and stories that shape the narrative lens in which they write—the bias is unavoidable. If authors want to write about real history, it’s up to them to recognize this discrepancy, and do their best to write something meaningful and accurate. Not for the sake of appeasing some “woke mob” who wants to use morals to virtue signal who gets to write what kind of story, but for the fairness of the craft and understanding of how easily prejudice and misinformation can get spread through questionable narratives. I think it woudlve been better for jaxx off to use some kind of fictional historical setting rather than borrowing from real life.

I don't want to come off as dismissive btw, and it's not about appeasing "woke mobs" but it stands that whether she did extensive research or not, such a story falls flat. A lot of ppl say Jaxx should just have done more research but I ultimately don't think that would have fixed much. She failed regardless bc she's trying to tell a story within the Reconstruction period that has a lot of charged topics. My argument is more so that even if she HAD done extensive research, she wasn't going to be able to tell such a story - especially when you have to consider common BL tropes that don't particularly sit well on an average story being placed on top of such a historical story. The fact that she didn't do much research ultimately doesn't matter to me because I felt that the story would enter topics that many readers would find fault with regardless. If the story had gone on maybe I would have read it, but initially I was skeptical because no one really asked the important questions regarding the setting because they were too focused on the idea of cowboys fucking. And it isn't surprising considering that many historical stories don't really delve into the real world issues bc that's not the point, the romance is. It just seems both the author and readers were too caught up in that to ask if the work even had ground to stand on to begin with. Personally I wouldn't mind, but I for sure know many would.

Ultimately my point would be for Jaxx to stick to modern stories or fantasy stories. But it is funny that the topics she covers would be considered okay in a historical Korean setting or a fantasy setting - actually showing some hypocrisy, but that's another conversation entirely. Regardless this only blew up because Jaxx is a popular author, if it had been some no name writer then no one would have given a shit.

I understand your idea that a BL with historical context is overly ambitious and hard to pull off. I don’t think jaxx realized what it would take to write this kind of story in a setting she’s unfamiliar with. I also don’t think it’s hypocritical that she might’ve had better reception had she made the setting based in historical Korea. She’s aware of the cultural sensitivities and nuances of her own country’s history, so it just would've been better written in general. Your earlier comments came across more as research wouldn’t have mattered regardless, but I see now your main argument is that jaxx can’t juggle writing bl while being historically accurate at the same time. We both agree that authors should be able to write stories about people outside their own background, but they also have a responsibility to become knowledgeable first. Research doesn't guarantee a good story, but it's the minimum requirement for writing about real history and marginalized communities. The problem is that's where Jaxx fell short. She didn't put in enough work to create a story that was historically accurate and culturally informed. Recognizing those shortcomings is part of being an author, and I have hope that she’ll learn from the experience, especially since she chose to cancel the project after seeing how ppl responded.

Sorry if I did come across as just being mean! I was more taking a jab at the fact that I predicted trouble with this story when I first saw its premise.

And I do agree that it's good that Jaxx took responsibility and ended the project. However I feel like she'll be scared of the historical genre now lol

We might not even see Jaxx for a few months, but it is what it is. I never got attached to the story - although I stand that some readers are hypocrites.

Not at all, I think this was an interesting discussion. I’m curious to see what Jaxx will end up with next after this incident

This is why we don't get interesting stories anymore. You guys are all acting like authoritarian nazis dictating what can and can't be portrayed in a story.

U ruined the vibes of this entire thread by inserting ur idiotic opinion without reading anything we said no shade

"Ultimately, the author should stick to modern settings to avoid trouble.".?

It’s literally an opinion based on predicting audience reaction, which wasn’t even wrong in this case. How is that the same as being like “you’re not allowed to do this because I said so”

The grammar that was used and the way people have reacted across the board here indicates otherwise... But sure ig...