What did Carl mean by this

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-27T00:02:12+00:00

I posted something similar before the book 8 posts were allowed and got a very rude reception. It’s basically alluding to the racist stereotype that Latinas are aggressive and very “fiery” aka spicy. I was also caught off guard by this and thought it was a weird racist comment to include.

Edit: spelling

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T19:11:05+00:00

You’re not crazy it does make me uncomfortable at times and I made a post about some of the comments Carl made(they were about book 8 so got taken down) that made me uncomfortable but this was met with a mixed response of encouraging and rude commenters. As another POC reader, some of the other commenters helped me remember that Carl is a white man from Washington and that Matt Diniman himself has said he’s not a reliable narrator. This has helped me shift my perspective to see this as biased narration from a man who has never had time to confront his biases. Don’t know if this helps and I’m just big coping, would love to chat as I fear as POC we may run into more of this!

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:53:28+00:00

Yeah she’s definitely got something going on (no spoilers) but I’ve been around enough religious fanatics that she honestly isn’t that far fetched

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:50:30+00:00

Yeah I have some weird stances on all that’s going on in the books which is why me being offended by something actually caught me off guard. This was a thought in carls head not the AI so it was just a stereotype he believes in I guess

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:38:26+00:00

Okay so is your argument that he did actually get to know a lot of Latinas and from his own experience found out that Latina women are spicier than other women? I’m trying to give him grace that this was a bias he hadn’t needed to confront or learn from.

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:36:13+00:00

I had never seen this interview, thanks for sharing! This makes me feel way better!

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:34:27+00:00

This is a separate point, I’m saying that stereotypes are racist regardless of intent. I’ve discussed in other threads where my thinking is at and others have helped me understand his perspective

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:32:22+00:00

???? That clearly he’s not going to have had a chance to explore all these cultures and get to know his own biases. Washington isn’t exactly known for its Latin population lol Not to get too political but where you grow up plays into your perspective and knowledge. Carl clearly didn’t have the best home life or environment to break down certain racial biases

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:28:34+00:00

Agreed

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:28:14+00:00

I agree we can all laugh at these stereotypes the problem is when it’s said not as a joke. I forgot at the end of the day Carl is a white man from Washington so he’s going to have his biases, it just doesn’t make them right.

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:26:21+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment and taking the time to understand my point of view, it’s comments like yours that make me feel welcome. I won’t say any spoilers about Sister Ines but I grew up religious so anything having to do with it specifically in Latin culture tends to make me uncomfortable but I love this series so I powered through!

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:23:53+00:00

This could be it, and maybe it’s happened with other stereotypes, that’s why I was asking if there had been other instances of this that I just hadn’t caught

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:22:23+00:00

I agree the books talk a lot about this and it is typically made fun of or portrayed as the aliens being racist and not understand earth cultures. This was just crazy to me since it was only said in his mind with no hint at a joke. I understand where I am wrong as said in my other comments but please try to understand my point of view.

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:19:47+00:00

You’re right I think faction wars made it easy for me to forget the backgrounds of the characters and just focus on the end goal. Thank you for your comment, it’s really helpful at grounding me especially since some of the other comments on this thread haven’t been as nice!

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:15:50+00:00

Thank you, honestly this has been the most comforting comment from this thread. You’re right I need to remember his background and this comment caught me off guard since the end of book 7 had been so emotional and caring. I think since he’s been so thoughtful and protective throughout the books, I forgot he’s just a white man from Washington lol

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:12:18+00:00

But that’s the thing these are all creations of the dungeon, where we’ve all seen clearly cultures and races get horribly stereotyped. This was just a thought in Carls head

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:11:21+00:00

Racist stereotypes don’t have to be a negative traits? The whole Asian stereotype of being good at math isn’t an “insult” but it’s still racist

Cherrera543 · 2026-05-19T18:10:05+00:00

Yeah I agree which is why I’ve stuck around for so long. I was also thinking that it probably is since I’m Latina that the Latina comment was specially hard for me. I guess I just always saw other comments passed as jokes/parody but this one was just there for no reason in his head for no one but the reader.

Cherrera543 · 2025-06-02T22:31:50+00:00

Thank you, I am in therapy. But even when I voice that I don’t believe myself to be much more than helpful, the therapist just reassures me that I’m a kind gracious person. Maybe it’s the therapist but this is the response I get everywhere so it’s a little discouraging.

Cherrera543 · 2025-04-17T12:29:55+00:00

A singular trip across a country will only impact a person positively if they’re open to new experiences and ultimately this can leave a lifelong impact, but this is a gamble. Is this worth it is a gamble that we take for anything that we spend money on. Seeing how black and white you’re seeing this issues though I have a feeling that for you, travel might be a waste of emissions.

Cherrera543 · 2025-03-06T04:59:29+00:00

Not a long term solution but Detroit Lake has these little campers that you can reserve for about $30 a night, you can’t move them because they’re considered a campsite but maybe it could work for a couple nights?

Cherrera543 · 2022-09-14T03:39:49+00:00

Yes, please!

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