Racial Diversity on P99 - An Intro to Identity, Power, and Privilege

mefdinkins · #1 05-17-2018, 12:37 AM

Hello All,

I just want to take a moment to really talk about diversity and inclusion. While I'm a proud Gnome (Wiz) I have also spent a lot of time as a Wood Elf (Druid), Halfling (Rogue), High Elf (Ench), Iksar (Monk), Human (Monk), and Half Elf (Bard). This unique experience has given me great insight on racial dynamics.

Today I would like to talk about power, identity, and privilege through the lens of the microaggresion.

Lesson: Microaggressions

Microaggresions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their group membership. Here are some examples:

Example: "Evocar, could I have a port please gramps or do you not know how to use the translocator!?" /pats bald head or "Oh I love eating Gnomes."
Why it Hurts: Gnomes are people too. Sure, Evocar has been around for a long time and has the grey hairs to prove it but he is just as smart (255 int) or capable as anyone else. His age doesn't mean he can't use modern technology, he doesn't need to be patted on his bald spot. He deserves respect like anyone else! Also there's a lot of good food don't eat me.
Ways to Help:
Talk to gnomes like you would talk to anyone else.
Don't play into the stereotypes, judge us by our actions not our age.
Also please don't eat us.

Example: "Hey Mefdinkins can you play this music while you port us today? Music plays, "make platinum fuck wood elves, make platinum fuck wood elves."
Why it Hurts: Wood elves may have rocking bodies but we're so much more than an object for your sexual gratification. Yes, Wood Elf babes are amazing sexually but they can tank mobs, cast buffs, heal, dps, and do everything else in game too. Please don't judge us just on our sex appeal.
Ways to Help:
Petition or report media outlets and players that perpetuate hypersexualized imagery of wood elves.
Set the example of respect.

Example: "Umm LOL Evostab, are you crazy of course we don't carry your size shoes here" /chuckle
Why it Hurts: Halflings are beautiful too. With images of the ideal wood elf ass, high elf jaw line, or human rocking tits all around us in commercials, movies and on the cover of Norrath Weekly magazine, sometimes halflings feel that they themselves aren't pretty or don't fit in. That's unfair though, the uniqueness of halflings is what makes them special, so don't you judge us on our toes! We're the highest paid foot fetish adult actors and actresses in Norrath and we're beautiful in our own way!
Ways to Help:
If you're a shoe store make sure you carry sizes for everyone in Norrath.
If you're having people over for a pool party check if everyone is comfortable wearing sandals before you bust out your toes.
Keep extra toe-nail clippers around for your halfling buddies.

Example: "Hey Looch, I don't see you as a Half-Elf, you don't act like other Half Elves!" "Oh where is your family from Qeynos, Freeport, Kelethin? lawll"
Why it Hurts: Half elves are no different than anyone else. Would you say something like that to a "pure bred" race? In 1967, the United States Supreme Court struck down U.S. state laws prohibiting interracial marriage in the landmark case Loving v. Virginia . It's time for Norrath to stop discriminating against human and elf relationships, give them the right to marry, treat their offspring as people too! Being a mix of two races doesn't make us any less person, it just makes us a unique type of person!
Ways to Help:
Participate in an interracial relationship.
Support legislation that legalizes elf/human marriage!

Example: "Whoa ninjai, watch where you're flapping that tail. you know what you call an iksar in a vest? an Investi-Gator!"
Why it Hurts: Iksars are people just like you and I. Sure, we have our scales and our tails but that's what gives us great balance, allows us to swim well, do dope spinning jump kicks as monks, and regen our health back.
Ways to Help:
Remove "Iksars Need not Apply" posters from job sites.
Eliminate "no shirts, no shoes, no service, no scales allowed" posters from fast food joints.
Don't always scowl at me ready to attack! Some of my best friends were once KOS but we learned to appreciate each other because we're so much more than our scales.

That concludes today's lesson on power, diversity, and microaggresions. Please remember that you can make a difference and help make Norrath more inclusive and accepting. If you have been subjected to a microaggression on P99 please share your experience here.

Regards,
Evo

Troxx · #2 05-17-2018, 01:17 AM

Nagoya · #3 05-17-2018, 01:20 AM

Playing a Troll or an Ogre is hard because of the constant racial bullying. You are big, dumb and ugly, and everyone else is there to remind you T_T

Halflings deserve all the hate they can get tho.