Racism in Online Games

[AndyT]

People care, because they come to the internet, or come to play games for an escape from real world stresses. People encounter racism / sexism / whatever in lots of places already, and far more frequently than you may think they do, and have this silly idea that games should be a place to for fun, free of that sort of thing.

Saying, "it's the internet" is a stupid, lazy answer, because "the internet" and "real life" aren't separate anymore. People's social lives are "the internet" plus "real life" - the artificial divide between them is collapsing, and that's a good thing. Or at least it will be once communities start putting their houses in order and policing the asshats.

That can't be done just from on high - it requires people to do more than just ignore unacceptable language, it requires normal, moderate people who don't suffer from racist / sexist etc language, to show empathy for their fellow humans and stand together with those who are hurt by it and call out the asshats whenever they do it. Make a scene of it. Get others to make a scene. Eventually the "n-word" and similar slurs will be considered unacceptable in the gaming sphere in the same way it is in most public spheres. As it should be.

This is exactly what I think. I'm not for internet police or anything like that,I just wish there was a much greater sense of social responsibility online. If people started throwing these insults around on a bus/train/in a pub they'd soon get shot down and shamed for the idiotic fools they are and rightly so.

This notion of "it's the internet, deal with it" is quite frankly, pathetic. There is no disconnect between real life and the web these days, especially when it comes to social circles. It's no wonder there's a proliferation of self-entitled, socially irresponsible, disrespective little *******s around these days.

The internet community needs to police itself. Why should be a safe haven for bigoted little keyboard warriors to vent their spleens?

 

[AndyT]

Boo ho your offended big deal get on with life to many cry babies about

I'm not offended, you fool. As explained already I wasn't offended by the nasty words the mean faceless man said on the internet. I'm dismayed that people will just sit back and let scum behave like that, or even join in/egg them on.

 

[francky]

As has been stated already - that was an example (perhaps a bad example) but the issue isn't that particular instance but this kind of behaviour as a whole.

I agree...but who cares what some idiot says to you on the internet......ignore it.

Whether it be racist...calling someone fat....ginger....blah blah blah.

The internet is just the true reflection of Human Nature....where people show their true personalities without reprisal...you just have to read the comments on YouTube below any video to see that.

Best thing anyone can do is ignore it and get on with their lives.

Direct bullying to someone and making their life hell is completely different....racially motivated or not.

 

[FrenchTart]

I agree...but who cares what some idiot says to you on the internet......ignore it.

Whether it be racist...calling someone fat....ginger....blah blah blah.

The internet is just the true reflection of Human Nature....where people show their true personalities without reprisal...you just have to read the comments on YouTube below any video to see that.

Best thing anyone can do is ignore it and get on with their lives.

Direct bullying to someone and making their life hell is completely different....racially motivated or not.

Certain areas of course are unpoliced but that doesn't mean that if you're in a position to stop something that you shouldn't do so. Game servers and forums are two examples of places where there are people around that can do something about it.

"but who cares what some idiot says to you on the internet"
"The internet is just the true reflection of Human Nature"

You're completely right with the second comment...but I think that makes this issue more important rather than less - and also is why it is quite depressing to see how prevalent the behaviour is.

 

[francky]

Certain areas of course are unpoliced but that doesn't mean that if you're in a position to stop something that you shouldn't do so. Game servers and forums are two examples of places where there are people around that can do something about it.

"but who cares what some idiot says to you on the internet"
"The internet is just the true reflection of Human Nature"

You're completely right with the second comment...but I think that makes this issue more important rather than less - and also is why it is quite depressing to see how prevalent the behaviour is.

Of course admins should police their servers and stop trolls or bullies and if your in that position as an admin as such then you should.

But you cant change human nature mate......no matter how many rules or laws in place, people will still do it.

 

[Rusko187]

It's among one of the reasons why I've stopped playing consoles, online gaming seems to be a breeding ground for the mindless people who think that because they are behind the shroud of the internet they have every right to abuse and they will never be caught.

Personally I feel it's a hopeless fight even in respects to Social media, I use twitter and some of the comments you read from people are just embarassing... swear these people don't think before they talk. I would just mute them or leave the lobby, I never go into Lobby chat now unless I know my friends are all in there.

 

[FrenchTart]

Of course admins should police their servers and stop trolls or bullies and if your in that position as an admin as such then you should.

But you cant change human nature mate......no matter how many rules or laws in place, people will still do it.

Unfortunately you're right to some degree. However, you can educate people to be a little less idiotic with time and patience. Obviously you'll still have a lot of people with very backwards views...but a good portion of people do have the ability to learn.

 

[HecFam]

I always leave my chat in BF3 Hidden, it must have been years since i've heard someone say something positive.

Its not always racism, its just abuse. There is no nice conversation just people raging at eachother. Since i have no friends that play BF3 its never a fun experience.

 

[Rusko187]

I always leave my chat in BF3 Hidden, it must have been years since i've heard someone say something positive.

Its not always racism, its just abuse. There is no nice conversation just people raging at eachother. Since i have no friends that play BF3 its never a fun experience.

Agreed, someone claimed I was "C*ap" at flying the planes... albeit he was justified in saying so, I did crash on the runway :S

 

[Evilsod]

Unfortunately you're right to some degree. However, you can educate people to be a little less idiotic with time and patience. Obviously you'll still have a lot of people with very backwards views...but a good portion of people do have the ability to learn.

I think you would need to cull 90% of the human race before that stands a chance of working.

Half of it is always people reacting to it.

 

[FrenchTart]

I think you would need to cull 90% of the human race before that stands a chance of working.

Half of it is always people reacting to it.

Yeah. Your'e not wrong. I guess the idea of culling generally has quite bad connotations, as tempting as it is as an idea when you speak to some people.

 

[Purdy]

I had to laugh, you have a known racist in your signature.

No he isn't ?

 

[PooBrain]

No he isn't ?

Ooooh yes he is!

 

[Purdy]

Ooooh yes he is!

Well considering the people who found him 'probably guilty' and the guy who felt he was racially abused said he is not a racist you'll struggle a bit there poobrain.

Also using racial slur =/= racist

 

[hartty]

Just hide the chat if you get offended. in most games its alt f4

 

[PooBrain]

Well considering the people who found him 'probably guilty' and the guy who felt he was racially abused said he is not a racist you'll struggle a bit there poobrain.

Also using racial slur =/= racist

You've changed your sig and he is a racist, he just failed to keep it bottled up.

 

[Purdy]

You've changed your sig and he is a racist, he just failed to keep it bottled up.

No I haven't.

Carry on dribbling.

 

[Omaeka]

As long as you're not surprised that your average dummy don't understand the true definition of it. We once had a British Asian guy apply to our WoW raiding comm that was obsessed with his race. It bothered him so much that he even referred to racism when he was friendily chided for screwing up. Nobody mentioned race at any time but he constantly did. Then there was a black guy (British born) playing in our CSS community that couldn't leave race alone either. Both idiots got booted. Nobody had time or energy to deal with their traumas.

Yeah, with the exception of most Americans (I make it a point not to play in servers with yanks these days (OMG RACISM (lul)) the majority of the racism I see comes from those of other races because whenever somebody calls them an idiot it's obviously an insult to the color of their skin... oh wait. :/

 

[Suarez7]

You've changed your sig and he is a racist, he just failed to keep it bottled up.

He used a racial slur, doesn't make you a racist. If that was the case half of our grans and grandads would be "racists".

 

[5960xNvidiaGamer]

Its nothing, why would that even bother you, big deal. Just kids typing things, they could call me whatever they wanted, i couldnt care less, these people are just people you game with online, they aint friends. Don't let it bother you.