Thank you for your response! Honestly, I expected my criticisms to be ignored, but I am really grateful you responded.
I definitely agree that writers should write from different people's perspectives. Unfortunately, often a lot of POC feel that they are not properly represented in these forms of fiction whether it be movies or books (as you mentioned the stereotypical and racist caricatures written by White people in the past, which often make us a bit more cautious when reading POC written by White authors).
I think that's why I had a lot of difficulty reading this internalised racism (which I do agree is something this character would experience), but because it was so prevalent, I had interpreted it as just another way of trying to uplift the other White characters, or even minimise her as the MC and reduce her to a sidekick role. I'm happy to hear that this is not the case and that the character goes on to develop more confidence.
I did DNF this book because it was almost uncomfortable to read these parts given my previous interpretation for its inclusion, but after your explanation I think I'll definitely give it another go.
I definitely agree that writers should write from different people's perspectives. Unfortunately, often a lot of POC feel that they are not properly represented in these forms of fiction whether it be movies or books (as you mentioned the stereotypical and racist caricatures written by White people in the past, which often make us a bit more cautious when reading POC written by White authors).
I think that's why I had a lot of difficulty reading this internalised racism (which I do agree is something this character would experience), but because it was so prevalent, I had interpreted it as just another way of trying to uplift the other White characters, or even minimise her as the MC and reduce her to a sidekick role. I'm happy to hear that this is not the case and that the character goes on to develop more confidence.
I did DNF this book because it was almost uncomfortable to read these parts given my previous interpretation for its inclusion, but after your explanation I think I'll definitely give it another go.