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Leyelle
Apr '24
4

In honor of API month starting May first, I propose a drawing challenge with the #apimonthartchallenge

The challenge is to draw a different Asian or Pacific Island ethnicity every day. There are a lot of cultures that simply don't get acknowledged, and since May is about learning other culture's history, see what you can learn about these diverse people groups. You can keep the art to yourself or you can upload it on your social medias. If you do please tag me, (leyellethecreator on IG) because I'd love to see your drawings.

If you have Asian or Pacific Islander characters, you can draw some of your own OCs, but please keep in mind this challenge is not designed for self-promotion, but to increase representation of overlooked people groups. There are a lot of countries, like Laos, and Singapore that you rarely see mentioned, so let's take a chance this month to give these cultures a spotlight.

If you're a big fan of any writers, athletes, creators, artists, influencers from any of the ethnicities you drew, also try sharing a fact about them, what you love about their work/why you find them inspiring.

Whatever characters you draw, please make sure to mention what ethnicity each of your characters is so we can learn about some new people groups we may never have heard of before and see how many different ethnic groups got a chance to shine.

(expect me to be tagging my "big sister" XD. She's a beauty influencer and I expect you all to fall in love with her lol)

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    Apr '24

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    May '24
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NickRowler
Apr '24

It's good to acknowledge other cultures and ethnic groups however something about this challenge seems a bit odd.

I do have OCs that are Asian and one that is Chamorro. But I don't catalog them like they are Pokemon cards.

Leyelle
Apr '24
3

@NickRowler Nobody is treating them like Pokemon cards.

Just the same as I made promotion threads for people to share the different ethnicities of their leads, the varying body types of their female characters and the likes, this challenge is to share the diversity of cultures and people. I personally am a plethora of different ethnicities and I long to see and promote the diversity of more people groups than usually get air-time. I never see myself anywhere, and I'm sure other people of other ethnicities feel the same way, and would like a chance to be acknowledged.

I consider it no different than people sharing works from various Black authors during February to share more representation of the works we've created, and trying to share little known ones, so we can get beyond Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas year after year, magazines (like The New Orleans Review) doing special access, or special issues for people of different ethnicities in their respective history months (Hispanic Heritage Month, and Black History Month included) or people going out of their way to showcase female authors, business people, entrepreneurs and so on for Women's History Month.

But for what it's worth, if you are worried about the representation of people groups, know it's not done in any bias. I intend to do the same thing for Hispanic Heritage month (Hispanic myself) when it comes, because I'm dying to see people draw my own country, and give some acknowledgement to little mentioned countries like Nicaragua, Paraguay, and so on.

VibrantFoxRegular
Apr '24

i hope it doesn't come off oddly but i wonder if the confusion stems from the framing in the op in that it seems to make it sound more like it's highlighting peoples ocs from the asian diaspora than asian creators like you've elaborated in you reply to nick which if that is the case it may be helpful to clarify in the original post

i do agree in the value of highlighting creators from different backgrounds especially those groups that are often marginalized and thus overlooked and i've followed folks from these kinds of tag evens/challenges or participated in them myself like maysia, indigenovember or blacktober

but i think some changes in the phrasing or maybe using prompts or info on how those events i mentioned were organized as a reference point may help. still good luck to you and those who participate :+1:

Leyelle
Apr '24

I agree, my phrasing might be the problem, so I'll try to clarify.

The goal of this challenge is really not for people to be promoting their own stories, though they can draw their characters of specific ethnicities if they like, but to highlight the diaspora. For instance, a good friend of mine I consider a big sister is Indonesian, but I can't think of a single cartoon or show I ever watched as a kid with Indonesian characters. I'd like to see more overlooked people groups get a chance to be acknowledged, because I know what it's like to never see yourself represented anywhere.

NickRowler
Apr '24
Leyelle

I understand being from a background that had little representation. I am part Guatemalan but I can't think of a single Guatemalan character in media, outside of El Señor Presidente. It often feels like the country is used as set dressing for narratives not focused on Guatemalan characters.

But similar to what @VibrantFox said. The point to a lot of these cultural months is to give more attention and voice to real people who often feel overlooked. I think it would be better to use the month to promote API creators and artists.

Leyelle
Apr '24
1

@NickRowler

That makes sense, and I did edit the original post to mention that as well.

But personally, I know that seeing people put in the effort to draw my people group (not just as a cliche) also makes a difference for me, so I'm still including that as well.

I consider it to be two different parts of the same idea, and I believe it applies to all ethnicities, though this month is dedicated to API.

As creators who spend our time making stories and art, crafting characters and drawings shows that we care enough, not just to enjoy (say, music or books) by a people of a specific ethnicity, but also to acknowledge them in our craft and creations (in a non cliche or stereotypical way.) I know as a kid, there was a big difference for me between knowing that other people of my ethnicity were out there, and seeing that people cared to draw them as princesses and pretty girls or put them into shows.

That's why, while not promoting stories, I think it would also be really cool for people to draw people of the ethnicities as well. The more different ways we can show appreciation to all cultures the better.

Leyelle
May '24
1


In honor of my bestie, day one is Indonesia. Her goal is to be a beauty influencer so you can check her stuff out. Her IG is hello.este

Leyelle
May '24

Day 2 is Vanuatu. They have a female chief named Motarilavoa, which impressed me, because so many places in the world, even today, seem to avoid placing women in positions of power. This woman is also a part of their "official" government, in tandem with the role of chief based in tradition.

Leyelle
May '24

Day 3 I chose Japan. It's one of the more commonly recognized countries and cultures, but I'm just a huge fan of One Ok Rock. I write music myself, and as a huge fan of rock music, Taka is one of my biggest singing inspirations. The big ears on this character are inspired by his lol, but her browner complexion is inspired by Naomi Osaka, because I just think she's awesome.

Leyelle
May '24
1



I was feeling sick yesterday so I didn't post anything, but on the top here we have a Pinoy girl and I highly suggest people look up and listen to 'Sunflower' by Amie Chan, it's so cute and pretty and summery.

Sunflower

On the bottom we have Korea. Korea gets a lot of attention, but their people with naturally curly hair still don't get a lot of representation. Some Korean naturally have tightly curled hair (3b-4c) like Hispanics and African Americans (like me), but they have yet to have a hair revolution where this kind of natural hair is promoted in their media. I hope the more people show and draw and represent people like this, the more they'll realize how beautiful it is.

가발 아님. 곱슬머리 관리법 알려드림. 매직만이 답이 아님.

Leyelle
May '24


Day six is Indian and I'll take this chance to mention Glofernwolfe as one of the best artists I've ever had the pleasure of talking with

Leyelle
May '24

Day 7 is Laos because of a woman I used to know when I was a a little kid. My family had never even heard of the country before we met her but she was one of the nicest people I remember from my neighborhood when I was a kid.

Leyelle
May '24

Vietnamese. And everyone knows Keshi, but I still love his songs, so I suggest everybody go listen to "Blue."

Tajikistan, because my dad likes watching Judo and he just saw a video today with a woman winning Tajikistan their first gold medal. So mad props to her

Leyelle
May '24

Day 10 is Thai

I highly recommend the song "Mirror" by F-hero. it's nothing short of boss