Screenwriting : Avoiding "White Savior" message when writing about races, social justice, history, etc. by Alison Wroblewski

If there's no white, messianic figure who swoops down to save the Indian unfortunates who are powerless and incapable of saving themselves, and the figure learns something about their life in the process, then you're in safe waters.

As a writer, it's not my job to be a savior. I prefer to consider myself a storyteller and an objective observer of my characters. Particularly in telling a true story. And, delivering the story from the POV of every character. It's important to make the POV honest and believable.

History is told from the POV of the winner. Of course colonial powers are telling their own history.

If they is a white character. Make the natives his equal that has a tech advantage. Make sure he learns from them. Which is real. Both sides learn in a contact.

Alison, it sounds like you're going about it the right way with all your research and awareness. I'd say ditto to the 2 previous comments as well.

An interesting conundrum/concept - try to avoid getting 'preachy' - sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on it. All the best.

Sometimes the white savior narrative is a landmine you can’t help but step on, because many white people only ever encounter minorities in a situation where one person needs help and the other can provide it. To remedy this, you could take time to get to know members of a Native American community so, when you write about them as individuals and a culture, it’s not done as a voyeur or opportunist but as someone with first-hand knowledge. If you can write an authentic Native American character, I think you’ll be forgiven for any white savior overtones elsewhere in the story. Whatever you do, don’t write the Native American equivalent of a black teenager struggling to choose between basketball and academics, all in an effort to avoid drug dealing like his (insert masculine role model here).

When writing my Native American children's screenplay I contacted a shaman of the tribe I was writing about. He gave me great guidance and history to work with. I researched this tribe for 3 years before I attempted to tell just a part of their story. I commend you for trying. So much needs to be out there that is being lost. Good luck on your journey and remember that you have accepted a quest to be a voice for many of the voiceless. I could never imagine that a "White Savior" would have anything to do with it. Why are you even thinking in that direction?

A. S. - I think I generally agree with you... but, I'm not quite sure.

It's a writers job to inhabit each and every one of their characters whatever their colour, religious background, social status. If the man did a good deed then you tell it how it is. Hopefully he had a personal struggle in achieving the good deed. That way when he succeeds or fails the audience empathizes.

A.S., I fear you're correct, which is why I asked the question. I still want to tell this story, but I guess I was hoping someone had some insight on doing this themselves. What feedback did they get when they wrote outside their demographic? If any? Did it impact the selling/telling of the story?

Based on these comments (which are all super helpful, and I'm grateful), I'm more motivated to get this story told.

Ingrid, I'm only thinking in that direction because I see a producer/studio thinking in that direction. I had tried to pitch a script years ago about the Louisiana blues music scene and was laughed at because a) I was a woman and b) because I am white. I wanted to approach this new script with respect, and yes, both parties learn from one another, but I just wasn't sure what it would look like from the "money" side of the room, and really, if that even mattered as someone who isn't established or signed yet.

I was curious if other writers had come against that sort of situation, but at the end of the day, I guess it's about the script and the story that's told.

Hi, Alison. Personally speaking, I have never encountered any such thing as a white woman myself writing characters and stories of different ethnicity than my own. However, I certainly share your concern and wish to be respectful too. What you experienced by your comment above is sexism and racial bias. Of course, the best way to combat that is to forge ahead and prove them wrong. What I do is dive into research and be as thoughtful as I can about a character and their specific perspective. If you can interview people or partner with someone that can help bring a true authentic resonance to your story, the better. I also think it best to remove yourself from it, the writer disappears and is invisible in the best written stories. Many have not done that, you can clearly detect an outside perspective imposing their viewpoint. When a story is written by someone with the same life experience and perspective as a character’s it is powerful—there’s no denying it—which is why there is such demand and desire for more diverse voices. So my two cents, be open minded, try to partner with or get involved with people to gain more perspective. And, perhaps consider telling the story from a different point of view. Perhaps flip it somehow? Maybe some other character is experiencing this white guy who has come into their community. Separate the protagonist and the main character. The protagonist is a Native American and the main character is the white man—just a thought. Anyway, I hope that helps! Best to you!

For an example of what happens, look at the background of and reaction to Green Book.

If your goal is to tell the story the way it happened, then do it Writers present any historical story either faithfully and without any extra fuzz to any degree, or they don't. So that's all up to you.

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Politically/racially....no matter what type of story is presented, and regardless of the group and outcomes, there probably is always going to be somebody - from group members to media people to anyone else - who will take some type of issue. So be it. That's part of the territory of stories with subject matters like that.

One thing I would do though - I'd verify what he says was "the truth." That's always important to me - to make sure that what one person says really happened actually really happened.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Alison!

Any people of color willing to weigh in? So far it’s been white people talking about how it’s not that big a deal to write from a non-white perspective. Of course we think that. Are we full of it?

I am African/Jamaican-American (though I am really a spirit/soul having a human experience) and I already weighed in above. You should have a sense of respect for the subject matter and the people and culture you are writing about. Don't make it all rose-colored and politically correct either which will ring false. If the culture is in the background of your story just make the characters human and like real people.

From a storytelling perspective, avoid focusing on white characters if they're not a driving force in the plot/message.

Thanks again, all, to responding to my question. To Stephen's point, I read about the Green Book backlash, and I guess I was responding to it with hesitation in telling this particular story. It's a funny line to walk along: telling a story that should be told versus it getting lost due to "political correctness" or the "fear" of the backlash. Guess I won't know if there is said backlash without putting it out there.

It sounds like at the end of the day "respect" is paramount, which I had always intended to do. So I thank you for weighing in! Off to finish the next edit and see where it takes me.

Glad you mentioned Green Book. Many people's criticism of it had to do with the blatant distortion and omission of factual information of the artist Don Shirley. Critics did not and do not want political correctness. They want correctness, period. Just don't lie and distort stuff to fit your film. Even Spike Lee got heavily criticized by the Nation of Islam for his portayal of Elijah Muhammad in his film X due to ways he shaped the actual story to fit a more streamlined version for his film. You should try as much as possible not to do that, but if you have to, then acknowledge that you are changing a true story and ultimately creating your own story to tell.

I think it's fine. It's about the Anglo's journey and discovery of "others," a new world for him, which leads the audience to discover that world and its people, and develop respect for their culture and concern for their problems. Maybe the Anglo at first (before getting there) is somewhat unaware or even unsympathetic, so his inner journey and arc would be compelling and helpful to us all.

I think that description encapsulates the problem critics have with white savior movies. The focus is on the white person, and the person of color is a plot device to improve/challenge the life of the white person. I think that’s what angers people about it, not whether or not the portrayal of a person of color is sincere and genial, but whether or not they’re two-dimensional and defined merely by the needs of the white person.

Going to give my two cents as an Oklahoman with Cherokee blood. I grew up with Cherokee, Seminole, Sac and Fox, Kickapoo, Comanche, okay the list could go on and on, but here's the point. Donn Swaby made an excellent point, when he said critics don't want political correctness, they want correctness. We live in a sensitive world where words can ruin careers, it's a shame really, but it's the way it is. We can't as writers write based on who we might offend. Why? Simple, you will always offend someone, no matter what. A good start is to write without offense in mind. Write what you know and make sure you research and know. Start with dropping the Native American thing. If you know what tribe/s you are writing about use that. You'll never offend a Cherokee by calling him a Cherokee, same for any other tribe. "Native American" offends everyone I know. It's a citizenship or birth status not a race or tribe. I'm Native American by birth, I'm Cherokee by blood. Most I know even prefer American Indian, that term was never derogatory. Even with that see, you'll offend someone. I offend everyone, but I disrespect no one. You see the difference? Offending someone is almost always unintentional, disrespect is always intentional. Only you can know what you mean and you'll never please everyone. Stop worrying about offending and write with respect and facts. Remember the truth offends the most, so just write and let your intentions show through, If you write with offending in mind it will show. Learn the customs and beliefs of the tribe you are writing about and here's a novel idea, contact the Chief or Council and ask if they would review and comment. Keeping them in the loop will go along way. Because yes, it can be as simple as asking someone if it offends them. Here's something else to keep in mind, if it doesn't offend those that it's about, no one else matters. It's none of their business. One last note, keep this in mind the most offensive and controversial things are what Hollywood buys.