Cultural Appropriation in roleplaying

[yeloson]

A surprisingly progressive discussion on the topic. At least in the sense that two POC have gotten a chance to speak and not be shouted down

Comments

[yeloson]

oops. Corrected now.

[bossymarmalade]

In my experience, trying to discuss Indian stuff doesn't result in argument so much as complete indifference. People usually want to yak about obeah when I mention it, but unless they're also of Indian descent they generally change *that* topic as quickly as possible.

[yeloson]

Yeah, I think India isn't as emotionally loaded a subject for Americans like Africa or the indigenous folks who lived here is.

I think another part of it too, is that Western folks in general, are intimdated by cultures which haven't completely folded in the face of westernization. That is, there's still a strong enough identity that won't budge and I think that tends to be real source of the "fear of heathen nations", etc.

:/

[fire_fly]

Except they can buy Indianness on toilet seats, lunch boxes, etc.

[yeloson]

Oh, yeah, they'll still appropriate left and right. I just think they're a little -less- defensive compared to when black or indigenous folks complain about it. =/ The "how dare you speak" factor is not quite as high, though it doesn't mean it's not there.

[oyceter]

I think I got to the post with the people setting up the usual "OMG! You are telling me I can't write outside my culture!" strawman and then my head exploded.

Though after I scrolled past the crazy, I'm really happy to see people who are not you also talking back.

[yeloson]

Yeah, imagine my surprise to see a) another POC actually speak up instead of duck and hide and b) other white folks recognize, "Hey, maybe this isn't cool."

[delux_vivens]

I'm not going to look. *gnaws on fresh pork bun*

[sashajwolf]

Thanks for linking to this. I like this comment by bankuei, addressing a version of the "but it's only a game!" argument: But you know, you can write whatever you want for a game. Just understand when you portray people as weird strange or silly things, and never as people, and that's ALL they see of themselves in media, maybe it's not so entertaining to them. And isn't that great- you made something for your entertainment at their expense. Funfunfun! I'm going to bookmark that so I can quote it at people, I think. I have a feeling it may come in handy.

[yeloson]

bankuei is my other screen name I use.

Yeah, white people love to remove looking at the context of power whenever you call them on racism. That's why they always have some crazy bullshit like "reverse racism" or "Everyone borrows from other cultures" or "Look at this other country" etc. etc.

Of course, when you remove power from context, a 5 year old child punching a full grown man and a full grown man punching a 5 year old child becomes a fair exchange...