The Feminist Debate: No Room For Individualism?

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Sunday November 10, 2013 · 7:20 PM PST

2013/11/10 · 19:20

NOTE: As so many have known about me by now, I'm an avid gamer and will defend my hobby to the death. I know gaming isn't the first thing some people would expect someone who posts on Daily Kos to defend, but I have before.

However, this is a blog I posted on a few gaming sites that I am rather proud of posting because of how it's structured and how well I think I explained my points. Though I need to warn people about something: in no way am I attacking any form of feminism here. It'll sound as if I am. This is concerning a particular mindset and what I think true feminism should be. You've probably heard of this particular female a few times. I'm not sure how progressive this viewpoint might be (trust me, I'm as progressive as you can get), but it's my own, and it's something that's been bothering me for a while. Also, though this was directed at the gaming community, I think this question can be asked to other communities as well. Just please don't think the wrong thing when reading, as I'm only criticizing a particular aspect of an otherwise worthwhile movement. Thank you!

It’s a topic that’s been bugging me for quite some time. Not because I’m not willing to make the blog (what do you call this?), but because there has been quite a lot of heat about this subject, and I feel like I’ve been quite the victim of one side of a multi-layered discussion, and it’s usually the side that thinks it’s all black and white.

Just to not keep you in suspense, this is to try to get this out before a certain feminist “gamer” (quotes intentional) brings out the next part of her series that will leave me old and gray by the time she’s done with it. Yes, you know who she is, and you might know what she’s releasing next: something about “Mrs. Dude Character” with a preview picture that suggests she’s going to invoke a very popular franchise for the umpteenth time. Why? Because, like the rest of her series so far, she's probably looking to give us the visual definition of what a "hit piece" is (if so, keep up the good work, Anita; you're doing a HELL of a job)! We all know the drill by now, and we shouldn't be that surprised or shocked by it. Maybe shocked that she's somehow still relevant (no clue why I bothered looking myself, though this blog has more to do with what people thought of Quiet than with Sarkeesian's latest feminist clown misadventure).

darkpower

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Sunday December 23, 2012 · 3:23 PM PST

2012/12/23 · 15:23

Let me first start off by saying that I like Joe Manchin. At least when I considered the alternative: a Tea Party nut in John Raese (who needs to understand that after three times of not getting elected, that he's doing something wrong). I do like that he supports Obama on a lot of the key issues.

However, me being a liberal does not mean that I have to agree with everything that Democrats say or do. Hell, me being an American means that I can agree or disagree with basically anyone or anything I want to. Of course, it should make sense, and my reasoning should, too. This showed when I called out the banning of World Wrestling Entertainment clothing from polls during 2010 (which I am not sorry for doing this). I never agreed with Linda McMahon's beliefs or ideas, but I didn't think that censorship was the answer there. Me being a liberal didn't mean I had to agree with that. Unlike the GOP anymore, we actually have value in the notion that the right decisions can only come from disagreement (the GOP seems to want everyone to agree with every letter that comes from a few figureheads' mouths).

I am also an avid gamer, as you no doubt have known from me getting on the issue of Jessica Nigiri from earlier this year (which I also am not sorry for and I stand by my opinion, as I do with the WWE apparel I mentioned above). I was somewhat disappointed that Kossers weren't as into gaming, or seemed to not understand it, as much as I was. At least that was the consensus I got from the replies I got. Now, it might be that a good bit of us are gamers at heart, and who could blame us: gaming as an entertainment service has exploded in recent years, and you can be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't play SOME kind of game, whether it be the latest Call of Duty, or someone tending to a farm on Facebook, or someone joining their friends for a raid in World of Warcraft or Guild Wars 2, or something in between. It'd be difficult to find someone who has honestly shunned all forms of gaming.

And yet, we're sane people. We live happy lives and go out with friends, play sports or have decent jobs, and when we are stressed, find release in entertainment such as video games.

So why, then, does Joe Manchin, a guy I'd agree with the other 95% of the time, went on MSNBC and declared that a video game franchise, Grand Theft Auto (which has a new installment due out next year), be banned, right after telling us that he is a proud member of the NRA? And why are we forced to go though this cycle once again right after yet another school shooting when we fail to even understand the elements of how these things work?

darkpower

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Monday April 09, 2012 · 4:36 PM PDT

2012/04/09 · 16:36

It seems it's that kind of year where sexist people seem to have it their way.

A few months ago, it was Rush's idiotic and disgusting comments about Sandra Fluke. A few weeks ago, it was Augusta's inability to realize that women exists in the world (again, I'll write more about that in another diary post).

However, this time an incident occurred somewhat outside of the political realm. However, I'm hoping that with this diary post, that enough people see it that it gets the attention and action that is needed.

At the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East 2012, a female that got caught in a controversial policy, Jessica Nigri, a costume player (or "cosplayer") was permanently banned for dressing as the lead character of the upcoming video game Lollipop Chainsaw. Only, the policy seemed to only have been enforced on the second day, the outfit that she changed into was deemed inappropriate when the exact same outfit was worn without incident the day prior, and a shirtless male that was standing next to her when she wore the first "inappropriate" outfit seemed to be acceptable to the PAX officials.

It begs to be asked: what is it about sexism that is becoming "the thing" in 2012?

darkpower

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Friday April 06, 2012 · 11:22 AM PDT

2012/04/06 · 11:22

Treyvon Martin. The name alone is sparking much controversy. I can't understand why, since the murdered black kid didn't do anything wrong on the night that he was murdered. Neither can I understand why it's so tough for conservatives to use simple common sense when even talking about this. If there is a killing, and you must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that foul play was involved, then you should press charges against the shooter and do just that. I can't understand why they must protect George Zimmermann to the death and beyond. Martin might as well have been murdered by Zimmermann's family, Malkin, O'Reilly, and the like the way all of the Right's defending a murderer (yeah, deal with it, Right Wing; Zimmermann should be tried for murder). I can't understand, even, what the Right's place even is in this argument, or what they even hope to get out of this. It's a continuation of them politicizing everything during the Obama Administration, and I can't understand why they must or why many people just allow themselves to buy into it again and again, but shouldn't be surprised that they are.

darkpower

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Thursday December 15, 2011 · 12:17 AM PST

2011/12/15 · 00:17

It does seem that a lot of people have by now caught wind of the Lowe’s Muslimgate story about them pulling ads from the All-American Muslim TLC show after feeling heat from the radical right wing Christian group Florida Family Association (which would’ve explained a lot about why Lowe’s caved in if the FFA was in any way connected to the infamous American version). The FFA has been known for campaigning against anything that defends any kind of minorities such as nationalities, sexual orientations, and religions. There are several sites that are bringing to light the actions of this FFA.

But as troubling as the actions of the FFA are, and as troubling as it is to see Lowe’s weird way to explain their actions and change their reasons after they got linked (seems to me that they were sorry they got caught in bed with this group and is trying to get out of the punishment while still justifying their decision), it’s sad to realize that this is not the first time that we’ve seen such a thing happen. This is the first time, though, that this has gotten pushed into the limelight, and it’s about time, too.

darkpower

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Sunday October 24, 2010 · 9:24 PM PDT

2010/10/24 · 21:24

The Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz recently made a ruling that will give poll workers the ability to turn away any voter wearing WWE-related clothing at the polls. It's a combination of the restrictions of campaigning close by to a polling place and the recent "Stand Up for WWE" that the pro-wresting company has begun so close to election day. What Bysiewicz did, though, was put many voters into a tough spot of what side is for what, making them have to subscribe to all or none of a side's stance. More importantly, though, she has also opened the door for more serious discrimination to be justified because of the now successful reason behind the ruling: that the "Stand Up for WWE" campaign is a political commercial for Linda McMahon.

RSS

The Feminist Debate: No Room For Individualism?

Games did not pull triggers!

Sexism Happens Again At Penny Arcade Expo

Can't understand, but shouldn't be surprised.

All-American Muslim Controversy: Beginning of the End for Right Wing Christian Groups?

Susan Bysiewicz Shouldn't Restrict Apparel At Polls