I had also toyed with the idea of running it during Black History Month, but I thought some people might not be comfortable with the idea of 'co-opting' it for other minorities as well. Well, I wasn't comfortable with it anyway...

I had just wanted some activity on the comm during this month to raise awareness of diversity issues in the fandom, but perhaps a comment fest wasn't the best way of doing that. Maybe the recs would have been enough, or the discussion topics thing which actually someone else suggested on the poll as well.

It's interesting to hear your perspective on writing about non-white characters, as a non-white writer. I think you're right that talking about it might help break down barriers, whether real or imagined.