Books with diverse characters in them are incredibly important and can be incredibly beneficial. Here are some reasons why books with diverse characters are important:
Representation: Books with diverse characters provide representation for people and groups in our society that might not otherwise get any. Seeing yourself represented in media is incredibly validating for people, especially for those who've gone for decades (or longer) without any on-screen or literary representation.
Inclusion: Books with diverse characters can help create a feeling of inclusion and acceptance. These books can help people to feel like they can identify with their favorite books, stories, and characters and gain a deeper understanding of cultures, perspectives, and experiences that they might not be familiar with. Having a diverse cast of characters can create an atmosphere of inclusivity and acceptance that can have a positive impact on the people reading them.
Empathy: Books with diverse characters help promote empathy by giving readers a chance to walk in the shoes of people who may seem different from them on the outside. This can help to break down barriers and misconceptions, and it can help to build understanding and compassion between people.
Education: Books with diverse characters can help to educate readers about different cultures, societies, lives, and histories that might be foreign to them. Diverse characters can provide an inside look into other cultures and experiences that that the reader may not have ever encountered before.
In summary, books with diverse characters are incredibly important, as they provide representation, inclusion, empathy and education. These books can give readers an opportunity to help them better understand different cultures and experiences that they might not otherwise encounter.