But I see the "I just couldn't connect with the characters" often in reviews of books by any authors of color as well with complaints that the character is "passive" or "lacks agency," this essay by Vida Cruz is one I think about all the time

We Are the Mountain: A Look at the Inactive Protagonist - Fantasy Magazine

Let me take you through the anatomy of an active protagonist, one that everyone can relate to. We’ll make our protagonist—we’ll call him John—young and healthy, male, of humble origins (perhap...

Excellent piece. Feel like I want to give it multiple re-reads. Also feel like it should be included in all Creative Writing 101, etc courses.