Are misogynists a slap in the face to all gamers? - Video Game Writers

I was somewhat reluctant in posting this article because, as I have made fairly clear, I?m not necessarily a hardcore ?feminist.??I?ve also made it clear that I?m not a fan of this new brand of false chivalry that appears to be cluttering the game space as men try to out-sensitive one another.?Having said that, apparently this is something that needs to be said: gaming is not a boys-only club anymore. This is happening, deal with it. If you have a problem with women in your space, it may be time for you to find a new hobby.

I?m not sure where this backlash of feminism and anti-feminism came from, but here?s a tip: when you rail against women and use ?showing/using her vagina? as a?euphemism, guess what? You didn?t insult a woman, you just told the world you have issues with women (and not the ?I don?t have a girlfriend? variety). ?If you go onto boards or other online environments and threaten acts of violence against women or use slurs that show you are incapable of communicating in an intelligent manner, you?re telling everyone around you that you have the maturity of a thirteen-year old. The time when that type of behavior was ignored or maybe even accepted is over.

I?m not going to link out to the ?Punch?Anita Sarkeesian? game. That troll (and he?is a troll) has gotten enough free publicity. Whether you think examining female video game tropes is a worthwhile endeavor or not does not excuse this type of ?repugnant behavior. Advocating violence against anyone is not okay ? I have to wonder if these jerks have mothers or sisters, and how they would feel if such a thing were created about said female relative. Just throwing that out there. Nor is it okay to leave foul, threatening comments centered around the fact that you have a problem with a woman voicing an opinion on ?your? hobby.

Yes, the?Tomb Raider thing bothered me because it?s yet another example of developers showing that women are little else other than sexual entities.?Yes, it sends me through the roof when the phrases ?she?s a strong female who happens to be sexy,? or ?she?s empowered? get dropped.?No, I didn?t think we needed a petition for a female character in?Aliens: Colonial Marines, and?yes, the video game industry on the whole has a long way to go before it?treats us fairly.

If you disagree with my assessment of the current situation or the state of women in games, or game genres, that?s great. If you have a compelling, well thought-out and civil point to make, then you should feel free to make it without fear of being called a misogynist ? disagreeing is not misogyny, it?s healthy debate.

But if you have a?problem with us being here, or voicing our opinion because we?re women, then you?d best check your torches and pitchforks at the door. There is no place for that attitude or behavior in this industry any more. You?re embarrassing yourself and giving us adults a bad name.

Special thanks goes out to the always irreverent and witty Marcus Beer.

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Source: http://videogamewriters.com/are-misogynists-a-slap-in-the-face-to-all-gamers-50038

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