My thoughts on sexism, feminism, harassment, and gamer gate in the gaming community.

I try to stay out of politics, both regular and within the gaming community for a number of reasons.  It's remarkably divisive and can be very frustrating when people are calling for you to "take a side!"  That being said, I have found the gamer gate situation to be...quite disappointing for our culture.  It was a chance for us to act like mature adults and have a real discussion on ethics in video games, however it broke down into an excuse for harassment, bullying, and defense of sexism in gaming.  I've actually had this argument with someone I love deeply before and...it can get quite nasty, without meaning to.  Even the most moderate or kind hearted of us will sometimes get impassioned and let our love for the medium overwrite our sense of judgment.  It is a shame, but...it happens.

However, I've been reading articles and thinking hard on the entire situation...while I think that the vocal minority of gamers who will harass and threaten like petulant children are largely to blame for us losing the ability to have a good conversation on ethics, it has led to some interesting looks at sexism.  At what inclusivity means in gaming.  At whether it is right to point a finger at a gamer and shame or mock them for what they play.  At whether it is justified for that jilted gamer to feel like they need to defend their medium, even if valid points are being made.  So...I took some time to record some of my thoughts, unscripted.  This is video game growing pains thoughts on sexism, harassment, the gamer gate movement, and feminism within the gaming community.

I doubt it will make much of a stir, since I have no real power to sway people.  I'm just another name with another blog with another youtube page.  Still, for any who want to listen, I hope you will sit through it.  The core message here is, be good to one another.  Shaming those who play games and harassing or threatening feminists who ask for better?  Neither gives you the high ground.  Why don't we stop making something that's supposed to be fun into a battleground and start working together to make this medium even better?

Just my thoughts.