There is a huge difference between an ideal and doing something in the name of that ideal. An ideal is just that, an ideal. Fighting an ideal is a war that can never end nor can it be won. Religions, politicians and feminists will all claim that something is unjust or unequal and proceed to use their ideals to fight for equality.
If Anita decided that lollipops were elements of a patriarchal society which, when sucked, turned women into nothing more than sex objects, she could rally against lollipops in the name of feminism. The fact that so many people love lollipops and aren't thinking anything dirty when they suck on one just doesn't seem to matter to her or anyone rallying against them. They will see the enemy in everything. Religions have done it with everything from different beliefs to contraception, claiming they are evil tools that will make you burn in the eternal fires of damnation.
Politicians have wars on drugs, crime and terrorism...things they cannot stop and will tell you the ends justify the means. The important thing I always ask is: so what is the solution going forward? If people are so intent on stopping something or changing the world, and we've been fighting these problems forever, maybe we need to change tactics?
Maybe we don't need a "battle of the sexes". Maybe all we need is greater understanding. Maybe the feminist gaming critics can give everyone an idea of what they believe will work. In all this talk I have hardly seen any solutions. What does Anita propose to solve the problem? What's the next step forward? The games that are made are not going anywhere. People are not going to burn them or stop playing them. So how about giving the world an idea of a game that is equally representative, has no negative gender stereotypes, does not objectify women in any way and makes everyone happy?
They don't have to make the game, but what would make the likes of Anita happy with the state of gaming? What type of games would she like to see people play? Does she even have a list of games that are close to or have her stamp of approval?
As a game critic, what about having a top 5 or top 10 list of games that she is satisfied with? Many have a list of really good games that they recommend. Based on her critiques, which games does she feel deserve to be in your collection? From what I gather, she is focussing a lot on what's wrong with games, but not much on what's right with them.
I like supporting equality in everything. I studied feminist philosophy at university, and to my understanding, most feminists haven't got a problem with the men in their lives. They actually just want them to realise that there are challenges women face that men are supporting, directly or indirectly. For example, the older generation of feminists would look down on porn and strip clubs. I once met a stripper who believed she was empowered by doing what she is doing because she is in control, especially of the men in the crowd (who part with their cash so she can show them essentially what every other woman has under her clothes, but to a beat and with a sexy dance to boot...no surprises there, gentlemen). That pretty much wrecked my brain for a bit because I was convinced that the women were being objectified and I never thought that perhaps someone could turn that around to their benefit. Here I thought they were being mercilessly exploited by a patriarchal society and there she was laughing (naked) all the way to the bank.
Okay, so, are there practical solutions going forward or am I asking too much of Anita and feminist gaming critics?
