Let's make a comparison to an actual situation related to terrorism.
In the last few years, the FBI along with local law enforcement is talking to leaders in the U.S. Muslim communities. Not to accuse them of terrorism, or blame terrorism on Islam, but to say "Hey. We all know there is a problem with radicalism. What can we do to help? How can we work together to prevent radicalism from occurring in the Muslim community? How do we make young men and women aware that turning to radical Islam is the wrong path?"
Now, the FBI and law enforcement aren't accusing the entire Muslim community of terrorism. They are merely working with the community to prevent radicalism from growing, because, like it or not, radicalism can happen even in the most normalized communities. The best part about it is, while working together, these efforts are actually helping relations between Muslim communities and local law enforcement (Law enforcement doesn't always have the best reputation among minority communities, after all).
Now, there is sexual harassment in the gaming community. This isn't just an anecdote. This is something that many different women (not just the one who posted the controversial missive) have reported in many different instances. These women are asking for help. They are not accusing all white males of being harassers or rapists. They are asking for men to watch out for these occurrences and HELP.
Tell the person to stop being an asshole. Report harassers to game convention staff so they may be tossed out. Try to prevent sexual assault from happening in our gaming spaces. Kick people off forums for making threats of death, or rape, or similarly nasty inappropriate behavior.
Yes, it's not just a gaming issue... It's a societal issue... and yes, having it pointed out in stark, disturbing words may make some people uncomfortable or even mad, but claiming that it does not happen is bullshit. Claiming it is overstated is bullshit.
FACT: Women get harassed (and sometimes worse) in gaming situations.
You might say, "But she said all these other things and you should not believe because... blah blah blah..."
No, no, no, no, no!
I don't give a $h!t about who said what on which forum.
It doesn't freaking matter. Women are being harassed and you are being asked to keep an eye out for those incidents and help put a stop to them. Is that so hard?
So why get all pissed off because some women are saying "Hey, we've had enough of being groped or made to feel threatened at gaming events because of our gender... So how about a little help, guys?"
The question for you to ponder is -- will you actually be mindful of these incidents and help make the community better? Or are you going to keep frothing at the mouth because you are butthurt? **
** butthurt -- An inappropriately strong negative emotional response from a perceived personal insult.
UPDATE: A lot of people seem to still be getting their underpants in a twist about the phrase "white male terrorism" and are generating a false sense of outrage over a label that may be slightly hyperbolic.
Get over it.
To summarize my points above for those of you still "outraged":
1) The "white male terrorism" phrase that everyone is getting their pants in a twist about is a bullshit red herring.
2) The fact of the matter is that women are being sexually harassed in the community and in many instances, if they bring it up, it only creates more abuse for them.
3) That is not acceptable... So whether you are pissed about the phrase or not, get the @#$% over it and instead spend your energies making the community better.
If you, as a white male, are pissed because the author was using harsh words, you need to turn your offended-by-things meter way down. You are a member of the most empowered race and gender the world over and you're getting pissy over a few words.
Let me repeat: One in five women get sexually assaulted in their lifetime (look it up) and you are whining because you think you were called a bad name (when you actually weren't). Get some perspective.
No comments:
Post a Comment