the politics of light and dark are everywhere in our vocabulary…psa to writers: subvert this, reveal whiteness and lightness as sometimes artificial and violent, and darkness as healing, the unknown as natural
Some ideas for bad things that are white/light:
- lightning, very hot fire
- snow storms, ice, frost on crops
- some types of fungus/mold
- corpses, ghosts, bones, a diseased person
- clothing, skin tone, hair, etc. of a bad person
- fur, teeth, eyes of an attacking animal/monster
- bleached out deserts, dead trees, lifeless places
- poison
Some ideas for good things that are black/dark:
- rich earth/soil
- chocolate, truffles, wine, cooked meat
- friendly animals/pets/creatures
- a character’s favorite vehicle, technology, coat, etc.
- a pleasant night
- hair, skin tone, clothing, etc. of a good person
- undisturbed water of a lake
- the case/container of something important
- valued wood, furniture, art
- velvet
Think to burn, to infect, to bleach vs. to enrich, to protect, to be of substance.
^ THIS
Get rid of the idea that ‘Dark’ is bad or scary