About a week ago, my roommate asked me a pretty important question. My roommate understands my passion for social justice (a passion he shared a few years ago, but now has passed or been suppressed). Would you marry a republican? Even if she cared for you and you cared for and loved her? My first response was no. At that moment, I wouldn’t want to marry and be so close to someone who’s political views are so opposable to mine.
After having some deep thinking, paired with a multitude of beer, I came to the realization that in order to create a better and just society, people cannot be split across party lines, and that my answer of no will not work. We all are victims of the state and capitalist oppression, and therefore need to unite across borders that have been created to pit us against each other.
When I got home later that night, and after I made my famous beans, onions, peppers, garlic, carrots, and spices in a tortilla, I told my roommate about my change in opinion. This night was a big awakening for me. I realized how judgmental I can be, especially when it comes to politics. Big change requires working together with brothers and sisters from different backgrounds and different political views.
This awakening has had my mind racing at about 100 thoughts per second about topics of autonomy, democracy, unification, social change, the conscious and the subconscious, and a whole grocery list of other topics. I’m trying to piece together the rest of my thoughts accordingly.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The use of “rape” in the gaming community
Something that has really been getting at me recently (or for a while for that matter) is the increasing use and acceptance of the misuse of the word the rape and fag in our culture.
One setting that really irritated me was the video gamming community. I played my brothers PS3 game Call of Duty online and plugged in the headset so I could communicate with my teammates. What I experienced in the few games I played was the most blatant, dense, and acceptable use of homophobic and gender oppressive language and words I can recall.
A random group of friends were playing on the same team as myself and communicating through their headsets. When people screwed up or did poor during the game (or anything negative happened), I heard the phrase, “you are sucking dick, fag” when refereeing to someone getting killed in the game. The phrase, “I’m getting raped” was often used when someone was doing poor in the game. These phrases link homosexuality with failing, and sexual assault as a norm. The variation and multitude of these phrases disgusted me.
This was a very good (but sick) example of the culture that allows rape and oppression of women and GLBT people. This continued on for a few minutes before I decided to interject. I discussed how the acceptance of these phrases and terms occurs, as well as the harm (that is often unknown) that these phrases and words perpetuate. The response I received was “these are just words.” These words and language are what shapes our culture and decisions.
Words are funny, harmful, loving, and have the potential to make great lasting change. My reaction to the gamers’ words will instill an idea (that may be disregarded at the time) in the gamers that may come back to then in the future at hopefully spur their thoughts on theses issues. Oppression of people is real, occurring everyday, and present in the words we use. Words can have the potential to change those as well. When media and our culture use words in news and advertisements to construct our culture, we must fight back with words that create a just world for all.
Keep talking…and don’t forget to act!
One setting that really irritated me was the video gamming community. I played my brothers PS3 game Call of Duty online and plugged in the headset so I could communicate with my teammates. What I experienced in the few games I played was the most blatant, dense, and acceptable use of homophobic and gender oppressive language and words I can recall.
A random group of friends were playing on the same team as myself and communicating through their headsets. When people screwed up or did poor during the game (or anything negative happened), I heard the phrase, “you are sucking dick, fag” when refereeing to someone getting killed in the game. The phrase, “I’m getting raped” was often used when someone was doing poor in the game. These phrases link homosexuality with failing, and sexual assault as a norm. The variation and multitude of these phrases disgusted me.
This was a very good (but sick) example of the culture that allows rape and oppression of women and GLBT people. This continued on for a few minutes before I decided to interject. I discussed how the acceptance of these phrases and terms occurs, as well as the harm (that is often unknown) that these phrases and words perpetuate. The response I received was “these are just words.” These words and language are what shapes our culture and decisions.
Words are funny, harmful, loving, and have the potential to make great lasting change. My reaction to the gamers’ words will instill an idea (that may be disregarded at the time) in the gamers that may come back to then in the future at hopefully spur their thoughts on theses issues. Oppression of people is real, occurring everyday, and present in the words we use. Words can have the potential to change those as well. When media and our culture use words in news and advertisements to construct our culture, we must fight back with words that create a just world for all.
Keep talking…and don’t forget to act!
Welcome
This is a blog set up to get all of my thoughts related to society and other avenues out of my head and onto some form of media.
It will also be used to help me figure out and compile similar thoughts in my mind.
It will also be used to bring about important events and ideas, that may often go unheard.
A little about me. I am an engineering student turned hopeful activist. I went from a mechanical engineering as I entered college, to an environmental engineer (the major I will receive) and then to a pretty radical thinking and somewhat radical liver.
It will also be used to help me figure out and compile similar thoughts in my mind.
It will also be used to bring about important events and ideas, that may often go unheard.
A little about me. I am an engineering student turned hopeful activist. I went from a mechanical engineering as I entered college, to an environmental engineer (the major I will receive) and then to a pretty radical thinking and somewhat radical liver.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)