I thought that the piece by Gray and Leonard was super interesting because I had never heard of this game and it was a really new concept. Obviously the game seems pretty dull and simple, but longevity in the gaming world was not the point of “Hair Nah”. Creating a game like this one, where the aim is to swat away white people’s hands from touching black hair is such a powerful motion. There is a fine line between playing with social issues and taking an impactful stance because it can be easy to invalidate the experiences of others if you aren’t careful. The antagonistic action portrayed in this game is something that happens very often in this day and age, and is almost a staple of uneducated whiteness. It is easy for white people to get lost in their privilege, and start seeing people of color as the ‘other’. This viewpoint is problematic because they will start to think of the others as ‘exotic’ - as if seeing a person of color is like going to the zoo and seeing an animal that you’re allowed to interact with. It’s not charming nor caring to touch a black person’s hair. It is dehumanizing.
As clarified in the introduction of the text, the authors come from completely different backgrounds, but they still face the incessant toxicity of the video game world. I can relate to this because of my sexuality. Interestingly enough, it shines through in some games due to how I portray myself or how I interact with others, and things can get really bad. I’m not surprised that it happens, but I am surprised at how often it happens, and also the intensity of it. I guess I’m just wondering - how can future game developers do a better job to reduce the amount of racism, sexism, ableism, and overall indecency in video games? Will people ever be able to play games without toxicity? Is it even possible to reduce toxicity in a game or is it just human nature?
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Blog Post 6 - Walkup
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Your statement that “it is easy for white people to get lost in their privilege, and start seeing people of color as the other” really stood out to me. This quote accurately describes the society we live in because those who don’t meet societies standards are also seen as ‘other’ or are categorized negatively. It makes me wonder if environment has a big part in how people treat those who are different from them? If white individuals environment does affect how they view others, when and how can they be educated? Honestly I find it absurd that people in today’s day and age don’t understand basic etiquette and how to not cross boundaries. I don’t think any white individual would purposely go up to another white person and fawn over their hair like they do with those who are black. What exactly about seeing someone who is different can lead them to think that is okay, even if they are a child?
ReplyDeleteI think of my childhood experience with difference in diversity. My first years of elementary I attended a city school, that was very diverse. I never was specifically taught that certain things were right or wrong, and I never viewed those who were different as an ‘other’. I then moved north to a suburb outside the twin cities and the majority of the school was white. There was separations and categorizations with not only race but also gender, interests, and later sexuality. Those who were white wouldn’t interact with those who weren’t. It still makes me wonder, why was this normalized and the complete opposite of my experience in a diverse city school? I mean we were only children but it was already very clear that those who were white and cisgender had more hold over the school compared to those who weren’t considered normal, which included people of color.