Token team members

Tokenism may be particularly evident in works featuring a team, such as superhero teams or small crews going adventuring.

A token team member may be recognized by:

• the usual signs of tokenism, such as:
  • a character with an identity (racial, gender, etc.) that is relatively unique on the team and is underrepresented relative to the populace;
  • a character with an identity that is largely unexplored -- the identity is skin-deep, but there is little exploration of the worldbuilding into which that identity might figure;
  • a token exploration of the identity of a character who is otherwise unexplored, or who lives in a world with little attention to these facets of identity, as in, a "very special episode" type exploration, or a plot-twist premised on a character's identity. For example, a minor female character who is raped as a plot-twist; a gay character who is bashed; an African-American character who experiences racism. It's nice to deal with it but the episodic nature of handling the issue makes the failure to realistically worldbuild and characterize more apparent.
• Minor or underutilized skills or powers
• An evident function in characterization, plotting, or worldbuilding that comes out of the character's identity rather than other qualities unique to the character

For instance, Teela Brown in the Ringworld series by Larry Niven is a token female on the team; her "skill", such as it is, is her possible inborn trait of luckines; her role within characterization is to serve as love interest for the main character, reinforcing his heterosexuality and attractiveness.