hi! idk where to go for this question. i’m japanese and have usually identified with jpns anime characters, but the anime character i’m considering identifying with atm is white (he’s english). i feel really weird abt this, because i understand the racism behind white ppl and poc identifying outside of their race, but since he’s white… i dont know. i dont think it makes a difference that the source is japanese, but im still concerned and i’d rather not id with him if it’s bad!
Hi there, friend. I’m sorry that you’re feeling weird and uncomfortable. I hope that my answer can make you feel better. Please don’t take anything I say as invalidating, as I can only give my personal opinion. Lets break down your ask:
Firstly, I don’t think its ever a problem to be kin of someone who is a different race, exactly the same as I don’t think its a problem to be kin of someone who is a different gender, or has any other body differences than you. Being kin is an experience that goes beyond the physical body. You can read more about my opinion on this here: http://fromfiction.tumblr.com/tagged/racism
Secondly, I want to make clear something that gets a bit confused in the community these days. Being kin is not ‘identifying with’ someone or something; its not a voluntary identity that you chose. Otherkin and fictionkin who discover their identities are stuck with them, no matter what, love them or hate them. All the memories, angst, and baggage that comes with being that person isn’t going to go away just because you want it to.
If your identity is one you’ve chosen, or one you feel like you can get rid of because it upsets you in some way, then the proper term for what you’re experiencing is fictionhearted (or copingkin, if its a deliberate strategy to cope with mental illness or negative feelings).
In case anon wants to talk to another poc (I’m Korean) in this position, feel free to hmu. But, yeah, what Felix said is all quite right.
