The gaming industry and community has been under attack for years, the opposition varies. From legislation originally peddled by Democrats, Conservative media, Jack Thompson, religious ideologues and regressive leftist exclusivist which is on a spectrum of self proclaimed Journalist, progressives, feminist and social activist, that are often referred to as SJW.
We need to all coexist, regardless of political ideology, religion, etc.
I am not asking for to tolerate Regressive creeps that want everyone to be banned, deplatformed, fired or silenced just for having opinions, a political leaning or just an assumption.
It is of upmost importance that we keep the gaming community inclusive and diverse. Not exclusive to one school of thought as a whole, We also should understand not every word means the same thing, you have to consider contextual use and trolling. Just because someone you heard over voice chat was a racist pig(Just saying, not everyone using certain words is white and often use the words in other context), Doesn't mean the community in general should be painted with a broad brush, with the judgment you made towards the one person.
If a group wants an safe/exclusive space, you can make your own servers and communities that you make rules for. No need to crown some idiot as the king or queen of the general gaming community or have an agenda to exclude everyone you deem "toxic", We already had a way to create "safe spaces". However the community in general shouldn't suffer from a witchhunt because alarmist painted the entire community as violent, immoral, sexist, racist or Nazis.
The gamers individually are always going to disagree on something, and sometimes are overly passionates about things that may seem minuscule to others. Even to other gamers. Despite all the squabbling over favorite gaming platform, etc there was always a sense of unity and respect. Though the media,industry critics, religious extremist, political ideologues may not see it that way.
Put aside your own selfish sensibilities, and try understanding others.Being offended is alright, just don't force your personal sensibilities on a community because you feel obligated to.Just because you are offended doesn't mean it's not out of apathy masked as empathy. Empathy takes a willingness to understand, even those that offend you.
The gaming community in general has been going through a lot of bull, bottom line... You have to to respect others even if you disagree. Often it takes ignoring your own selfish sensibilities, and try understanding others. Being offended doesn't make you empathetic to people you may not know you're talking to.
Gaming is meant to be fun - a separation or a diversion from reality. I’ve never understood why people want to bring hateful rhetoric into it. Obviously, politics can be a big part of life, so it will naturally seep into elements of gaming, but games should remain an arena where we can all put aside our differences and have a little fun!
osaka1989
14 May 2018 19:16
In reply to HullBreach
I have no idea why either, maybe it's because they assume people are being hateful, although there are the religious people who see anything strange to them like videogames, rap and rock'n roll.