Poll: Is Resident Evil 5 Racist?

[Lucifus]

If you need me to spell it out, I'm playing the Victim Card, not the Race Card. I consider it poor taste to kick a man while he's down, and right now I'm seeing exactly that in a "What If?" scenario, where a group of poor, starving people are infected with something that makes them less than human, and must be wiped out thusly. I don't give a damn that they're black, I give a damn that they're dehumanized, because unlike our dear Spaniards in RE4, this runs uncomfortably parallel to the real world; poverty, hunger, violence, and disease are very real, and very prevalent, in Africa today, and that's where I take issue with this. The Spaniards were doing fine until Las Plagas came around, but these people were suffering before the infection. See the difference?

I think thats the point. Who better to test a virus on than a village where people die every day of suffering and hunger and theirs a distinct lack of widespread media? Easy cover up and im sure its happened in the past.

Capcom may have stumbled on a point here, (albeit they probably didn't mean to)that things like this can happen. Its distasteful but then it does bring thoughts to mind of "what if something like this was to happen or has happened".

 

[shadow skill]

It has happened to black people, America has a rather extensive history of various types of unethical experiments being conducted on black people. One really has to have knowledge of American history before they comment on this subject. The ironic thing is that the loudest people are the ones saying (correctly) that the game is not racist.

 

[Gestapo Hunter]

I dont care if your black or white you try to eat my brain i will blow you godamn head off with a shotgun!

 

[Ray Huling]

Capcom has shown remarkable insensitivity in the way it has presented this game. Much of the imagery in the 2007 trailer that started this controversy is not distinguishable from footage of actual African cities. And yet these images are meant to convey a sense of dread, to show an enticing threat for players to fight.

Black Africans have seen this kind of thing before. It doesn't matter what backstory Capcom provides; it doesn't matter that we're talking about a game. No one in Spain lives the village life the Ganados do in RE4, but many, many Africans will recognize themselves in RE5. And they will know that Capcom chose to portray Africans because of their picturesque poverty. They will know that this game presents images of African misery because such images afford an easy way of eliciting dread and disgust.

Resident Evil 5, unlike RE4, is using real-life suffering as a quick route to horror. This game will cause people to feel exploited; it will cause people to feel shame.

We will be judged for the way we respond to this.

 

[shadow skill]

Capcom has shown remarkable insensitivity in the way it has presented this game. Much of the imagery in the 2007 trailer that started this controversy is not distinguishable from footage of actual African cities. And yet these images are meant to convey a sense of dread, to show an enticing threat for players to fight.

Black Africans have seen this kind of thing before. It doesn't matter what backstory Capcom provides; it doesn't matter that we're talking about a game. No one in Spain lives the village life the Ganados do in RE4, but many, many Africans will recognize themselves in RE5. And they will know that Capcom chose to portray Africans because of their picturesque poverty. They will know that this game presents images of African misery because such images afford an easy way of eliciting dread and disgust.

Resident Evil 5, unlike RE4, is using real-life suffering as a quick route to horror. This game will cause people to feel exploited; it will cause people to feel shame.

We will be judged for the way we respond to this.

I was actually quite pleased with the fact that they made the Africans look like real Africans as someone of African descent I appreciated that, I wasn't offended by the trailers but I knew that some would understandably have a problem with it for various reasons. I think alot of people will think "Oh, so now they want to show black people." the fact that as far as games (and other media) go its almost as if black people don't exist at all doesn't really help. I think that when people can see positive images of themselves it mitigates some of the complaints that might otherwise rise from a game like this.

 

[blase]

There is nothing racist about RE5. The easiest way to MAKE it racist would be to make a game set in Africa with WHITE infected living there.

 

[Pudgyboi]

No.

 

[anti_strunt]

But we aren't talking stereotypes (Unless you consider black people in Africa a stereotype). Yes there is a history of racism that is different for each ethnicity, and each have different stigmas and stereotypes that are associated with them, but that are harmless to other ethnicities. No debate there.

But we aren't seeing that in this game, which is what the big debate and hulla-balloo is about. I could concede that there may be perceived imagery with a white protagonist and black antagonists, but I would say you could say that about any movie or book or game where there are black bad guys and white good guys. Or Asian bad guys and white good guys.

If the ethnicity of the antagonist(s) is directly related to the setting of the game, and the ethnicity of the enemies is only because of the setting, then where is the racism? Keep in mind that we're talking about this game imparticular.

Did you read my entire post? You drew up the very same strawman I dismissed in the opening statement...

Obviously we really know nothing of the game and how it plays, which is why we can't just dismiss it being at least unwittingly racist any more than we can say that it is. I think I covered the possible racism implicit in choosing Africa as the setting.

 

[mintsauce]

Capcom has shown remarkable insensitivity in the way it has presented this game. Much of the imagery in the 2007 trailer that started this controversy is not distinguishable from footage of actual African cities. And yet these images are meant to convey a sense of dread, to show an enticing threat for players to fight.

No, the sense of dread is created by zombies. Zombies that are trying to kill you. If you think that images of an African city are meant to create a sense of dread and a desire to fight, something might be wrong with you.

And they will know that Capcom chose to portray Africans because of their picturesque poverty. They will know that this game presents images of African misery because such images afford an easy way of eliciting dread and disgust.

Again, no. Zombies elicit dread and disgust, not Africans or their personal situation. The game is set in Africa. The virus has infected Africans. That's all there is to it. It has nothing to do with the colour of their skin.

I'm usually a very patient person. But this kind of reaction is something I just can't stand. Stop seeing things that aren't there, or get off the internet.

 

[anti_strunt]

Capcom has shown remarkable insensitivity in the way it has presented this game. Much of the imagery in the 2007 trailer that started this controversy is not distinguishable from footage of actual African cities. And yet these images are meant to convey a sense of dread, to show an enticing threat for players to fight.

No, the sense of dread is created by zombies. Zombies that are trying to kill you. If you think that images of an African city are meant to create a sense of dread and a desire to fight, something might be wrong with you.

And they will know that Capcom chose to portray Africans because of their picturesque poverty. They will know that this game presents images of African misery because such images afford an easy way of eliciting dread and disgust.

Again, no. Zombies elicit dread and disgust, not Africans or their personal situation. The game is set in Africa. The virus has infected Africans. That's all there is to it. It has nothing to do with the colour of their skin.

I'm usually a very patient person. But this kind of reaction is something I just can't stand. Stop seeing things that aren't there, or get off the internet.

So they just picked "Africa" at random from a selection of world locales, without the slightest thought to how their choice would influence the atmosphere of the game (a action/horror game, I might add)? Even if the makers are not racist, they picked their locations for a reason.

Just my point - different races, different stereotypes, different issues to consider.

You seemed to miss my point. Resident Evil did the same with other races, why is this different?

If you change the location, you get a whole new set of "values" to work with - so what worked just fine before might end up being racist when placed in a new context. Again, without any ill intent on the side of the creator.

But it's obviously not racist if you already did it other contexts.

That I do not necessarily agree with. It all hinges on how the creators approach the new context. If it is done poorly, the game can very well end up reflecting and thus perpetuating racist myths, all without anyone involved having a single racist bone in their body ? all it takes is a lack of prudence. Especially since the picked a locale very heavily burdened with such myths.

If they placed the game in Africa because they threw darts at a world map or whatever, it would be a somewhat different story. As it is, they placed the game in Africa to (most likely) evoke a certain horror-related atmosphere, which may turn out to be more or less influenced by racist mythology. Not necessarily, but the danger is there.

 

[Lukeydoodly]

Of course it isnt you idiot.

Oh its fine killing white people but not black? THATS racism!

 

[anti_strunt]

I think I will repost/selfquote what I said on the previous page, because I think it still applies. Again, with the proviso that I do not actually the game is racist, based on present evidence. I do however see where such accuasation might come from, and I do think we should reserve judgment either way until we can see the actual product.

I also think a lot of the people defending the game are acting in a very immature fashion. Racism is a serious issue and should be dealt with appropriately, with reasoned argumentation, in my opinion.

Anyway. Another very popular argument against possible racism:
"It's in Africa, of course there are Africans around! (Suggesting otherwise makes you a racist!)"

I'll ignore the utterly brilliant second part if you don't mind.
Now obviously he'll be killing Africans, just as if he were in Tel Aviv he would be killing Jews, or if he was in an Orphanage he'd be killing Zombie Orphans. No sane person is claming that the game is racist for the mere act of portraying Africans as living in Africa.

Claiming so is just an absurd strawman argument, and you all should really know better.
QUOTE-EDIT: Seriously people... and don't pat yourselves on the back afterwards for your brilliant displays of "wit"...

The point, rather, is twofold:
1. Why is the game taking place in Africa? Don't say "because of the story" because the creators can come up with whatever the fuck they want. They very deliberately choose to locate the game in Africa. Obviously I don't think their reason was that they hate black people, but they obviously did it for a reason.
The most probable, in my opinion: atmosphere. They wanted to evoke a certain horror atmosphere and they thought Africa would be best for this purpose. I suppose they want a more visceral, down-to-earth feel after the rather Gothic Spanish adventure. Is this racist? Not really, in my opinion, but they still picked Africa because it evoked certain emotions and carried certain connotations. Some of those may very well have racist-mythological roots, so again, there may be cause for concern; if they picked Africa because they thought it closely connected with blood-sucking cannibal savages, then that would be rather racist of them. They are walking a rather thin line.

2. The portrayal of blacks and Africa. Nothing much can be said about this, of course. I can only repeat what I said before: no matter the reason for being in Africa, and no matter if they are zombies or not, the population of Africa could still possibly ending up being portrayed in a racist manner, even if no ill was intended. But this we can't know, so it's useless to discuss; but neither can it be debunked.

Consider this though: if this was only about knee-jerk political correctness against any portrayal of Africa what-so-ever, where is the storm of rage about FarCry 2?

 

[mintsauce]

If they placed the game in Africa because they threw darts at a world map or whatever, it would be a somewhat different story. As it is, they placed the game in Africa to (most likely) evoke a certain horror-related atmosphere, which may turn out to be more or less influenced by racist mythology. Not necessarily, but the danger is there.

Counterpoint - you could throw a dart at a world map, fill that location with zombies and monsters, make everything foggy, dark, and uncomfortable, and it would still be scary. Honestly, just try it. Pick any country - Norway, Japan, Mexico, France, Greece, anywhere. You can make it scary just by altering the setting. It doesn't matter which country you're in.

The second sentence you wrote just frightens me. If you honestly believe that Africa was chosen to "evoke a horror related atmosphere which may turn out to be more or less influenced by racist mythology", then you've been reading far too many conspiracy theories. Who in their right mind would do that? Find me evidence that they actually did it, and I might see your point, but as it is, you just sound like someone who hasn't really thought things through.

 

[anti_strunt]

If they placed the game in Africa because they threw darts at a world map or whatever, it would be a somewhat different story. As it is, they placed the game in Africa to (most likely) evoke a certain horror-related atmosphere, which may turn out to be more or less influenced by racist mythology. Not necessarily, but the danger is there.

Counterpoint - you could throw a dart at a world map, fill that location with zombies and monsters, make everything foggy, dark, and uncomfortable, and it would still be scary. Honestly, just try it. Pick any country - Norway, Japan, Mexico, France, Greece, anywhere. You can make it scary just by altering the setting. It doesn't matter which country you're in.

The second sentence you wrote just frightens me. If you honestly believe that Africa was chosen to "evoke a horror related atmosphere which may turn out to be more or less influenced by racist mythology", then you've been reading far too many conspiracy theories. Who in their right mind would do that? Find me evidence that they actually did it, and I might see your point, but as it is, you just sound like someone who hasn't really thought things through.

Let me put it like this: Africa is not a natural "home arena" for most members of the "first world". It is a very different, and very very distant place, both in geographical and mental terms. In terms of public awareness, it's still largely the "dark continent". Where am I getting with this? My point is, in the absence of facts and knowledge, various myths will creep in and increasingly influence what people think, even if they hold no negative feelings. This, I think, would hold largely true with any subject.
Obviously any location can be made scary, but that's irrelevant. What matters is whether the designers had something particular in mind when they picked Africa as their scene of zombie horror. I do not believe they picked Africa at random, and as I stated in the post I quoted above, I do not believe their picking Africa because it held certain connotations, and to achieve a certain atmosphere, is inherently racist. Every locale has a unique "atmosphere".
However, there is still the distinct danger of their portrayal of Africa to be coloured by the very large mythology connected to it, including parts originating in racist discourse. This is not really necessarily their fault. Since Africa is largely a "dark region" on most peoples' mental maps of the world, it is very, very hard to create any sort of work of "soft" fiction involving the continent without summing at least some myths better left dead...

Of course it isnt you idiot.

Oh its fine killing white people but not black? THATS racism!

Why do you have to call the people which bring up this issue idiots?
You're what's wrong with the gaming industry, instead of acting maturely and explaining in a polite way why they're wrong you instead decide to take the easy prick way. Seriously why is that? Is it Internet anonymity that entitles you to say such things?

QFT

 

[Wargamer]

Resident Evil is not racist.

If a game is set in America, I expect to be killing Americans. If it's set in Germany, I expect to be killing Germans. If it's set in Africa, I expect to be killing Africans.

How many white Africans are there? Sod and All. Ergo, it's not racist to be killing Black Guys in Africa. It's only racist if you're killing them just because they're Black! Same with Resi 5 and whatever 'minority' it's beating on.

 

[anti_strunt]

Resident Evil is not racist.

If a game is set in America, I expect to be killing Americans. If it's set in Germany, I expect to be killing Germans. If it's set in Africa, I expect to be killing Africans.

How many white Africans are there? Sod and All. Ergo, it's not racist to be killing Black Guys in Africa. It's only racist if you're killing them just because they're Black! Same with Resi 5 and whatever 'minority' it's beating on.

For your reading pleasure
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.78737?page=6#997643
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.78737?page=6#997676
EDIT: Fixed the damn nonfunctioning link; added other (which will hopefully work).

 

[Eiseman]

For your reading pleasure
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.78737.997643

I get this feeling you're gonna have to repeat yourself for each new person who says exactly the same thing, over and over. Do you know that?

 

[GuerrillaClock]

A lot of people forget Capcom do not make games to perpetuate any myths, or to make any political point. Resident Evils are, and always have been, fucking silly little games with dodgy dialogue about killing zombies. End of.

After years of being stuck in dank urban environments, and the series crashed downhill, RE4 put the series in a rural, alien environment where it had never been before. The change worked, and the game was a roaring success, criticially and commercially. So, any company with half a brain would naturally want to set the game in an unusual (in that many games avoid being set there), alien environment again so they can continue making piles off money off it! It seems like Africa was chosen as a location based on continuing the success of RE4 rather than to elicit any dread from the setting.
People forget another change made by RE4 was the gameplay - it's not even a survival horror, ergo not scary! The pace was shifted much more towards action, and so it seems to be the case with RE5 - the horror and "dread" apparently given off by the setting clearly takes a back seat to an increased pace and more action.

 

[Ray Huling]

If you honestly believe that Africa was chosen to "evoke a horror related atmosphere

Capcom has specifically said that they wanted to create an atmosphere like the one in Black Hawk Down.

In other words, an atmosphere like the one found in Mogadishu, Somalia. And, for the first part of that initial trailer, that's what you get. Not zombies, but just black Africans, in a slum, and Chris Redfield intoning, "there's no reason here, no humanity."

Capcom is making a horror game and they are using a real setting in it. They sent people to Africa in order to get things right. And getting things right means making a scary playground out of African poverty.