I know it’s a competitive job market and everyone has to work, but I just think you can do better.

I’m sorry that had so little to do with the original post.

Thank you for this post, tekanji!

I don’t think I should expect a well researched content about the history of racism, with bibliography, in what is an appraisal of a game. They acknowledge it, which is good, but the place for THAT discussion is elsewhere (in a more cultural context rather than a mechanical one, which is what most videogame writing still is.)

I think you missed the point of my post. I’m not saying that every discussion on RE5 needs to be some in-depth research paper, but rather that if you’re going to give your opinion (especially as a white person) then you need to try to avoid being ignorant. I may have been addressing a specific incident here, but the truth is that this problem is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a greater pattern. If you’re interested in how the same basic problem can play out in a much worse fashion, I would recommend checking out RaceFail ‘O9.

And do I qualify as a POC since, historically speaking, POSDs like me (People of Slavic Descent) weren’t historically considered “white”?

Answering that could be a whole post (or series of posts) in itself. The short answer is that what we in predominantly white countries tend to label as “white” privilege is actually a few different privileges bundled into one: the privilege of passing for the “default”/”normal” ethnicity, dominant culture privilege, and Anglo privilege. I’m of Jewish descent, but I still consider myself “white” because I benefit from most white privileges.

Johnny Boy says:

Anyway, I can clearly see that I will have to devote some time to amount of literature about race and white privilege that is in the link you provided.

Good luck. As someone who is an anti-oppression activist and ally I can tell you that it’s a lifelong process. I know a lot of people don’t like the “shut up and listen” advice (no matter how nicely it’s phrased), but it’s advice that I, and other allies, subscribe to. No matter how much you know (or think you know) on a subject, sometimes the best thing to do is just listen.

In terms of other links, I would recommend the “Privilege 101″ links on the blogroll. I normally don’t recommend the “Dear Privileged Groups:” links for people just starting out on this subject, but if you found this post useful then you might find them useful too. Most of them are a bit more snarky than I went here, but they’re good reads.

Cola says:

Look, it’s hardly malicious for people to have been ignorant of this issue until now.

I never called, or implied, that the NWG are malicious. In fact, in my opening paragraph I acknowledged the opposite. Racism isn’t just about maliciousness, it’s about well-meaning people hurting others out of ignorance. But, regardless of intent, the person/group was still harmed and that is the problem. I would highly recommend that you read Privilege Analogy #1: Entitlement In Action and Unintentional sexism to educate yourself more on this matter.

It’s a big issue that matters of race are ignored until a Nice White person stands up for them, but who exactly is patting themselves on the back for doing so?

On top of the explanation I did in my post, I did link the relevant threads. Although the latter thread requires a bit of backtracking to figure out why it’s so anger-making.

There has to be room for white people to express their opinions on these issues, and there are better ways of making them more self aware than shaming them for every effort to be better than they are.

Holy privilege, Batman! No, there does not “[have] to be room for white people to express their opinions on [non-white] issues”. Please read Forcing all spaces to be privilege-oriented spaces and Do we have the right to express our opinion anywhere, anytime?. Both of them are on slightly different subjects, but the same basic principle applies: it is highly problematic for you (as a person of a privileged group) believe that it is your right to air your opinions on a subject that does not directly concern you simply because you want to.

Obviously there is often room made for privileged people to discuss the issues of non-privileged groups (exhibit: me and my dayglow whiteness), however that room given to us should be seen as a privilege and not a right. These are not our issues. No matter what we say or do, at the end of the day we aren’t directly affected by what we’re discussing; the non-privileged groups are. Until you, as a white person, can understand and acknowledge that you are a guest in conversations about race — and should conduct yourself accordingly — no, there does not have to be any room made for you to express your opinion.

But I guess I can’t tell if you’re talking about NWGs who are calling out the racism, polite and impolite, who haven’t given due credit to the POC who have already talked about this issue, or if you’re talking about the people propping up the game’s racist imagery with polite language (which, again to be clear, I agree is just as bad as the Not Nice WGs). If I’m going after the wrong issue here, please, enlighten me.

I am addressing both.

Falconer: I’m currently boycotting Capcom, despite the fact that my (continued and vocal) criticism of the company might have a negative impact on my future ability to get a job. My school is kind of a feeder to Capcom and I might end up applying there to work when I’m done with my program… But I’m glad you enjoyed the “What these people need is a honky!” I also found it a hilarious, and accurate, description of the trope

My wife and I are so disappointed in Capcom and RE5 right now. We’re considering boycotting Capcom. You know, just a little protest. Nothing that makes us give up our copy of RE4.

Also, “What these people need is a honky!” made us both laugh. We needed a good laugh. Bills are due.

(Sorry, I haven’t got anything to add to what you’ve already said so eloquently.)

Just to be clear, when I blogged about it, I blogged about the response N’Gai Croal was getting from the hordes of unthinking white babies at Kotaku. It’s a big issue that matters of race are ignored until a Nice White person stands up for them, but who exactly is patting themselves on the back for doing so? There has to be room for white people to express their opinions on these issues, and there are better ways of making them more self aware than shaming them for every effort to be better than they are. We can be direct, honest, and assertive.

But I guess I can’t tell if you’re talking about NWGs who are calling out the racism, polite and impolite, who haven’t given due credit to the POC who have already talked about this issue, or if you’re talking about the people propping up the game’s racist imagery with polite language (which, again to be clear, I agree is just as bad as the Not Nice WGs). If I’m going after the wrong issue here, please, enlighten me.

My comment on brainy gamer was actually the first time I had ever jumped in the whole RE5 race issue (not to feel “good” about it, but there is no other discussion going on at places like ign or or anywhere that I had known of. the “domain” of the “not so nice gamer” involves lots of caps locks. a smattering of p-13 words. ) I was unaware of the discussion that had gone on previously. ( as a pc gamer, RE5 didn’t have much to do with me so I largely ignored the whole game,) I have since partially corrected this by reading this. An interesting discussion to say the least. Gave me a few things to think about.

Anyway, I can clearly see that I will have to devote some time to amount of literature about race and white privilege that is in the link you provided. I have started to read some and it has already given me the beginning of a new perspective. On me being white (got me) and yes even male.

So yeah, today POC are enlightening this white guy, but no cookies yet. Movie’s not over yet (for at least another 60 years hopefully) so we’ll have to see how it goes.