Jan 1, 2023
This question has come up at every creative writing conference I’ve ever been at. It’s always asked by a white person who thinks they are well-meaning.
In real life, history books are available. There are sensitivity readers who can be hired to ensure people have not crossed into offensive territory.
People can and do write effectively about cultures that are not their own. They do so when they have genuine respect for that culture and they put in the time and energy to do it well.
They don’t go exploring in someone else’s culture for excitement.