Valve Responds to Racism Accusations

[Chester41585]

The Confederate flag is not a symbol of racism, dammit!
Sure, there are some idiots, like klansmen, who misuse it, but they also misuse the crusifix, too!
The Confederacy itself wasn't about white supremacy, either! A lot of states wanted to keep slavery, but the essence of the war was about a different governmental mindset: The North wanted the states wanted a federal government with all the power while the Confederacy wanted the states to be independent, almost to the point of being their own individual countries.
Irk! Exaggerating morons!

I'm glad someone else around here paid attention in History class.

 

[Voltano]

Another person wanting to get attention on "pointing the blame at video games" band-wagon.

Between PETA's accusations of Cooking Mama, Resident Evil 5's racism, and now this...Honestly, I just say ignore idiots like these as I think they only pull crazy stuff like this just to get attention.

 

[T-Bone24]

In honour of this misguided lad, I'm going to play Left 4 Dead 2 making an active effort to avoid shooting zombies of different ethnicities (aside from whites, of course, cos they're fine to kill). Just so they all have an equal opportunity (aside from whites, of course, cos they're fine to kill).

 

[titanium turtle]

he's against what in games- well I don't see any racism in these games- this guy is a fucking moron

he thinks ....
wait does he think that black people should not be shown as zombies in a game- that is racist

He doesn't even know what racism is- he is .... so fucking stupid

 

[Schlorgan]

c'mon, they're not racist, what idiot would say that?

 

[Jumplion]

My take on this, if it was about how Black people were depicted (like the zombies liking fried chicken and watermelon for whatever reason), then I'd understand why he'd think that. But because L4D2 isn't even out yet, and all it is is just a zombie with a darker skin tone, I'd have to say the guy's an idiot.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

If Texas isn't being unfairly racist, it is accusing others of racism unfairly.

Games aren't racist if they're trying to be realistic. How likely would it be for an African village to be entirely composed of caucasian villagers? A game is being racist if it is stereotyping or actual verbal discrimination against a race is involved, and there are many worse games than that which are entirely overlooked.

 

[Sevre]

Woah, if you went to say Japan you would expect to see a few of the locals yes? Same principles.

 

[salbarragan]

The Confederate flag is not a symbol of racism, dammit!
Sure, there are some idiots, like klansmen, who misuse it, but they also misuse the crusifix, too!
The Confederacy itself wasn't about white supremacy, either! A lot of states wanted to keep slavery, but the essence of the war was about a different governmental mindset: The North wanted the states wanted a federal government with all the power while the Confederacy wanted the states to be independent, almost to the point of being their own individual countries.
Irk! Exaggerating morons!

That is such southern propaganda! The war was not about states having individual freedom (it sounds pretty to say) but you are right that it wasn't just about racism either. The war was about controlling slavery. The north hated that the south was using slaves for their plantations because they actually had to pay workers to work in their factories. Follow the dollar. The south was very prosperous back in the day because of the slave trade. They knew that if they had to pay field hands to do the labor, they would not be nearly as profitable. So all the people in power started wanting to secede so that they could continue using their cheap labor to continue making money. Read "Lies my Teacher Taught Me."

 

[Yokai]

So...it would be better if all the players were white? That doesn't represent New Orleans very well, does it? What if it took place in San Francisco? Would this guy object to some of the players being Asian? (Wow, four sentences in a row ending in question marks)
Valve is just trying to represent the local demographic. Makes perfect sense to me. His RE5 accusations make a little more sense, but this assault on Valve is irrational and ludicrous.
EDIT

Developers are going to start having to colour the characters purple to avoid racism.

Someone would probably complain that purple characters are racist against Night Elves.

 

[titanium turtle]

Who cares if there are African American zombies along side the white zombies. People need to learn that if you live on this planet, you are fair game to be a bad guy in a video game...NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

exactly- everyone's equal

I will decapitate any zombie regardless of race or religion(they had when they were alive)

 

[elemenetal150]

The Confederate flag is not a symbol of racism, dammit!
Sure, there are some idiots, like klansmen, who misuse it, but they also misuse the crusifix, too!
The Confederacy itself wasn't about white supremacy, either! A lot of states wanted to keep slavery, but the essence of the war was about a different governmental mindset: The North wanted the states wanted a federal government with all the power while the Confederacy wanted the states to be independent, almost to the point of being their own individual countries.
Irk! Exaggerating morons!

it always bothers me when people say this. No matter what a person wants the symbol to mean or what it means to them. It is indeed a racist symbol. What it represents now is far from what it used to represent. It isn't on the majority to decide what is offensive and not offensive. If I am black and the confederate flag offends me because of the racial ties that the confederacy had and because of the way it has been adopted my modern racist and a bunch of my black friends find it offensive too....then guess what it is a racist symbol. Sorry that you can't use it as a southern pride thing or as a symbol of freedom from the strong arm of the government at the same time but that is the way the world works.

Honestly I am not black but it offends me greatly when people sport the confederate flag. It is common knowledge that the confederate flag is seen as a racist symbol and if a person rocks it then they should be aware of what kind of message they are putting out there. Offensive behavior and symbols are decided by the people it offends. Many people that are not white are offended by the confederate flag and see it as a racist symbol...there for it is a racist symbol and anyone that would say something as ignorant as they need to get over it, or they are wrong, or something else along those lines just shows how ignorant they are of issues that are still very much a live in our society.

 

[Raregolddragon]

Can we nuder this moron we don't need him breeding.

 

[Cabisco]

Between this, the various anti game movements in Germany etc. I think i might actually start a group to protest about the most moronic things such as banning Shakespeare because a death occurs in one of his plays, or destroying all copies of Spice Girls because 'Girls' implies youth and therefore in my mind must be associated with pedophilia. Weird rant aside, i think were at a strange stage in the world the accusation of racism is massively more predominate in the media than actual racism in media. I reckon this guy wanted some more publicity, and by the looks of the thread he is getting it.

 

[Chadling]

I had a very pertinent comment here, but someone's already said it for me in the first page. In New Orleans, there's almost a supermajority of Blacks. I would be very disappointed if that wasn't reflected in the game.

Please, guys, don't assume that all Texans are like this. My circle of friends is quite diverse, and contrary to what a lot of people seem to believe, we have a pretty good higher-education system.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

Not racist.

Valve's just trying to portray things realistically. Let them, for it betters the art. No use sugar-coating things.