question for readers

[nageov3t]

when reading a book where a character's race is never mentioned, how do you picture them in your head?

I default to generic caucasian and always just assumed that it was because I myself am a generic caucasion (and that asians would see the same characters as asian, blacks as black, etc).

today I was told, however, that this makes me racist :\

 

[MotionMan]

when reading a book where a character's race is never mentioned, how do you picture them in your head?

I default to generic caucasian and always just assumed that it was because I myself am a generic caucasion (and that asians would see the same characters as asian, blacks as black, etc).

today I was told, however, that this makes me racist :\

Sounds like you read crappy books.

Ask the person to define "racist". I would bet his definition is completely wrong.

MotionMan

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm damn tired of being the token Norwegian so, I usually picture them as another Nordic god to even the score.

 

[dpodblood]

Yep to say that is racist is pretty stupid. I would think a good book would give you at least some idea of what the character looks like. If not I would assume they look like a typical person from the area in which the story takes place. So Japan; they look Japanese, India; they look Indian, etc. No description, I would do the same as you.

 

[Arcadio]

I use the setting of the book as well as the name of the character as clues. If that's not enough, then I just picture them being of mixed or ambiguous race.