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!