Are Black Characters Allowed to Exist Outside of their Blackness?

John Boyega as Finn in “Star Wars”

The relationship between Black people and speculative fiction is quite an interesting one. If you are a Black fan, you’re already well aware that the amount of representation we have in the genre leaves a lot to be desired. And when we are represented, it seems the characters who most resemble us are only somewhat accepted by fandom if their stories center around their…