Editing Tokenism (section)

==In fiction==
{{See also|Magical Negro|Stereotype#Role in art and culture}}
In fiction, token characters represent groups which vary from the norm (usually defined as a white, heterosexual male) and are otherwise excluded from the story. The token character can be based on [[ethnic group|ethnicity]] (e.g. [[Black people|black]], [[Hispanic]], [[Asian people|Asian]]), [[religion]] (e.g. [[Jew]]ish, [[Muslim]]), sexual orientation (e.g., [[homosexuality|gay]]), gender (typically a [[female]] character [[Smurfette principle|in a predominantly male cast]]) or [[disability]]. Token characters are usually [[Background character|background characters]], and, as such, are usually disposable and are eliminated from the narrative early in the story, in order to enhance the drama, while conserving the main characters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Sadie|date=2008-07-17|title=Ethnic minorities accuse TV programmers of tokenism|work=The Independent|location=London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ethnic-minorities-accuse-tv-programmers-of-tokenism-869817.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ethnic-minorities-accuse-tv-programmers-of-tokenism-869817.html |archive-date=2022-06-21 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2010-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Helen|date=2002-11-13|title=Minorities accuse TV and radio of tokenism|work=The Guardian|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/nov/12/radio.raceintheuk|access-date=2010-03-27}}</ref>