I recently finished a part of a WIP that was set in a Gullah township. Post apocalyptic in case your wondering. I found as I was writing that I didn't really like anything I wrote about their culture. its an incredibly vibrant culture that has affected and influenced mainstream US, particularly southern Culture for well over a century.
in the story, they were actually recovering better than many other places including setting up a commodity Currency and having an excess of food and goods that allowed them to establish a small business community and practice other skills such as boat building and making musical instrument instead of just growing food to survive.
In the end, I focused on the leaderships drive, past and present to preserve their culture, while trying to move beyond the past and build a better future for themselves.
In the end I feel like the character's didnt really sound Gullah. But I was glad the characters and their township didn't come across as stock, stereotypes either.
so if any one has any suggestions on how to add any little touches that could add flavor with out seemingly or in reality pander to stereotypes I would be thankful.
in the story, they were actually recovering better than many other places including setting up a commodity Currency and having an excess of food and goods that allowed them to establish a small business community and practice other skills such as boat building and making musical instrument instead of just growing food to survive.
In the end, I focused on the leaderships drive, past and present to preserve their culture, while trying to move beyond the past and build a better future for themselves.
In the end I feel like the character's didnt really sound Gullah. But I was glad the characters and their township didn't come across as stock, stereotypes either.
so if any one has any suggestions on how to add any little touches that could add flavor with out seemingly or in reality pander to stereotypes I would be thankful.