Russworm and Blackmon's piece entitled "Replaying Video Game History as a Mixtape of Black Feminist Thought" brings together ideas connecting to many of our discussions on power, culture, intersectionality and games. The authors, being both women and POC, are at the intersection of two forms of marginalization, and the games and computing industry has, since the late-twentieth century become and remained a hostile place, which frequently keeps out all but white men. Russworm and Blackmon discuss a new way of looking at games and gaming culture, through the lens of a mixtape, this framework is important because it gives marginalized groups the ability to talk about their own experiences and the experiences of others through a framework of their own culture and identity. This is perhaps the response to whether or not systems designed to create privilege and oppression can ever successfully fight it, space is needed for those groups marginalized to speak in their own voice, and in ways of thinking and understanding which reflect their cultural identity.
Some of my individual research discussed how narratives of whiteness often push a strict kind of order and individualism, while in the format of a mixtape, different ideas flow together and mix, no one artist or author speaking only for themselves, but rather adding to the larger picture. The text also makes a very important point that a mixtape is an expression of joy. Although marginalization causes pain, it is important that marginalized people do not become isolated from joy. As it is not the identities themselves which bring pain, but the systems which sort them into categories of privilege and denial. It is important that marginalized identities themselves not be falsely assumed to be the root cause of suffering.
I love how you brought up the idea of how the piece's framework being a conduit to bringing their own culture and identity into the piece. I also thought this was incredibly interesting and unique, though I hadn't considered it in that lens. I appreciate your bringing up how that cultural identity influenced the piece. I also love the notion that we need to keep in mind that marginalized people shouldn't be exempt from joy. Something I'd also keep in mind considering the mixtape was that idea of intersectionality in the mixtape choices - the authors intentionally chose black female rap artists, as opposed to just female artists or just black artists. The choice was very intentional, and feels like a stark contrast outside of the themes of black women consistently being ignored, pushed to the side, or erased.
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