tips for avoiding the "strong black woman" trope
hey! i'm working on a dark fantasy space opera wip that involves themes of religious authority, war and cosmic horror. one of my main characters is an elite fighter and a dark-skinned Black woman. while i'm really excited about her character, i want to ensure i portray her in a way that avoides harmful tropes.
i'm specifically concerned about the "strong black woman" trope, which i know can contribute to harmful stereotypes about Black women (being expected to be hyper-resilient, emotionally unavailable, or defined solely by their strength). i want my character to feel like a well-rounded, fully realized person without reducing her to a trope.
what are some ways i can avoid this trope while still allowing her to be a powerful and respected fighter? what are some key aspects i should be mindful of when writing her?
representation matters a lot to me, and i want to ensure i'm being thoughtful and respectful.