If you aren't aware, there is currently a large conversation happening on threads about male representation in YA fantasy. And, as expected... I have some thoughts.

Before we really dive into this, it is important to note where this conversation really started. Because, while it has taken off and has grown from what was originally being discussed, as best I can tell, this conversation originated with author Ladarrion Williams-- Blood at the Root --and a discussion about the lack of BLACK BOY representation in YA fantasy.

Since then, it has grown into a conversation about male representation all together and, naturally, many readers are upset by the idea that male representation is even a concern in a world where women are not only less represented, but actively marginalized in every space. But it is important to note that a conversation about BLACK MALE representation is notably different than a conversation about male representation.

With that said, I think that objection is still an important one. And I wanna talk about it!

First, and most notably, it is worth discussing that one of the reasons women strongly lead the YA genre is because the industry often pushes women into the genre. This isn't really a secret. Many authors have talked about being pressured to steer their books toward YA who would have otherwise published in other genres.

It's also worth noting that men, even marginalized men, are not as limited in the genres they can write in. Which means that naturally, YA has become a female-dominated genre.

Now... I know that the conversation everyone else is having is about why there aren't more male protagonists in YA, but that's not what I want to talk about, because the answer is simple to me. It is because boys don't read YA (yes, we are talking in generalities. Live with it). And the reason for that is, in my opinion, because they don't like girls.

I know that's not where you all thought this article was going, but stick it out with me!

Let's be honest. What would happen to the fantasy genre if it suddenly became a predominantly Black space? White readers would find a different genre to read. They would stick to their "we can't relate" excuses and search for a genre that caters to their identity. And I think that is largely what is happening to the YA genre. Female authors are dominating the space and male readers are not willing to engage with them.

Now, I said earlier that it was important for us to note that a conversation about Black male representation and a conversation about male representation are notably different.

I stand by that statement. But I also want to be clear that this problem remains the same for marginalized readers. Instead of rushing to the YA genre to devour the Black stories flooding the genre, a lot of Black men and Black boys are abanding the genre because they don't see themselves. And like... how don't you?

I felt incredibly represented by books like Legendborn (Tracy Deonn) and Gilded Ones (Namina Forna). Bre Matthews (Legendborn) spoke to the piece of me that has spent my entire life fighting for my place at tables where only White people were supposed to take a seat. And Deka (Gilded Ones) reminded me of just how powerful I am, regardless of how the world around me tries to diminish me and the inheritence of strength and creativity I inherited from my ancestors.

And don't even get me started about the way that I felt seen and spoken for in books like Raybearer (Jordan Ifueko), where a young girl with no real identity or family is forced to choose between fighting for her family's turn at power or for actual liberation for everyone.

Look, I see the need for Black boy representation. And I think it is something we should fight for. Black boys need to feel seen and heard and represented. Black boys and men have struggles, needs, dreams and fears that are very specific to us, and those realities deserve their time on the page. In fact, society would be enriched by us being represented on the page. But we also need to be honest about the amount of representation that we are throwing away because of our collective hatred of the Black girl. And that is not just Black boys. That is everyone. Black girls exist at the intersection of multiple marginalizations. They represent the struggles and hopes of most marginalized people. They understand racial oppression and gender oppression. They are masculanized, sexualized, thrown away, possessed, abused, and mistreated. And their fight for liberation is one that speaks for so many of us. And yet we collectively refuse to see them. And I think that is a tragedy. Not just because it robs us of important insight into our collective needs and fight for freedom, but also because it robs us of the necessary solidarity for us all to share the same spaces and conversations.

Do I want more Black boys on the page? Yes. And I am PROUDLY an advocate for Black male authors. But I also want us to tackle this much deeper issue. The reason that the door isn't open to more Black male authors in this genre is because we, as a reader base, have seen women at the center and chosen to abandon it, rather than share space with them. It isnt that there is a deeper hatred of Black men than Black women. It isn't even that people are hesitant to read Black male authors. It is that the Black boy has been taught that solidarity with the Black girl is too much to ask for.

I want to be clear. I am not saying that Black boys are not underrepresented. They are. And I am not saying it is wrong for Black men/boys to want more representation in the genre. But I am challenging the reason we don't have it. I don't think that female readers are the reason Black boys are not being represented in the YA genre. I think male readers are. And it's something to work on.

Maybe, just maybe, the answer to this problem isn't to fight with women, but to champion them. Especially Black women.

As for the white boys/men.... let's be for real.

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