Diveristy and Communication Blog Asingment 5

Video Game Design

November 8th, 2009

Chapter 6.5 of our textbook explored images of women in video games. Traditionally women have been presented in the following roles: Damsels in Distress, Femme Fatales, or Buxom Babes.

The chapter concludes as follows:

“What remains to be seen is whether images of women, which in the past were nearly absent from virtual worlds, will evolve beyond what one game producer called “fantasy art wet dream material” (”Girl trouble, 1998, p. 99) and into strong, independent characters th at are not trapped by sexist stereotypes.

This blog assignment gives you the opportunity to become a video game designer. Describe how you would “redesign” women in a video game of your own creation so that they are not trapped by sexist stereotypes.

__________

I would re-design women in video games so that their presence as virtual characters are equal to that of the males. This means that the video gamer would have an equal number of male and female characters to choose from, rather than the token one or two women characters that are generally available today.

In terms of appearance, I think it is important to note that many of the male characters are also typically idealized in their physical physique. So, I imagine any consumer is likely to appreciate and be more drawn to playing the games as an "attractive" character, regardless of sex. So though I would definitely avoid the "buxom babe" appearance, the female characters would probably be designed with attractive features. However, their chests and frames would be more realistically proportioned, and they would be fully clothed. Hopefully these changes in appearance will help lessen the Femme Fatale affect of alluring "vixen" imagery and behavior.

As far as damsels in distress, it simply wouldn't occur in my video game. It is unlikely I would create a violent video game, but if there was fighting in it, the characters (male or female) would probably be rescuing children or innocent bystanders. Characters could potentially rescue each other if the situation were to arise in my game, but it would work both ways- meaning, the female characters could rescue male characters as well as the other way around.

The appeal to the female character would not be one of sensual mystique, but one of courage demonstrated through selfless actions aimed towards helpings others. It is likely that in order for this to happen without mass amounts of violence, the emotional ties to characters or players in the game would have to be more dramatized than they are currently. It is these ties that, when tampered with, would garnish a strong enough gamer reaction to make role playing decisions that do not involve physical fighting, such as questions of loyalty, ethics, or morals, the primary bulk of the game activity. I suppose that in order to make the game marketable, there will have to be some level of combat, and so there will likely have to be inherently "evil" characters. This leads me to belive my game would have to be one based in fantasy, in order to avoid other detrimental stereotypes.

Cork Board Games of Life

So, in August I bought a huge cork board to hang on my wall. It was just 3 dollars at the PTA thrift shop in Carrboro, so I couldn't turn it down! I imagined papers, calendars, and pictures proudly displayed across the giant white gap on the long side of my room. Three months later, it is still sitting on the floor behind my chair with a solitary "I'm a senior, who the #@#! are you?" sticker push pinned to it. (Apparently neither push pins nor nails are strong enough to hold up the epicness that is my $3 cork board)

So, in a desperate attempt to organize my life this afternoon, I found a use for my prized board. Though it still sits on the ground , it now holds great purpose in its existence. It is now the home of my life goals for the year 2010 and other important check lists, with room for me to work through them over the coming months. Maybe this visual reminder will help me keep myself in line so that I can accomplish all that I want to before I graduate! Ahhh it is November! Time wizard....slow down!


To visually present most of the stuff going on in my head right now, here are each of my 7 checklists:


I am feeling much better now that I have that down....whew! I had a great weekend this weekend with Comfort Zone Camp, once again. My little was 7 years old, so it was quite an exhausting weekend filled with running, screaming, laughing, and way too many bodily fluids...

Catch up with me via e-mail or phone if you would like to hear more bc I'm heading out to Helping Horse! Hope you are all well! Hopefully talk to you all soon!

Diveristy and Communication Blog Asingment 4

Using Customs from Other Cultures

November 1st, 2009

On October 8, self-help “guru” James Arthur Ray hosted a sweat lodge experience as part of his Spiritual Warrior retreat in Sedona, Arizona which resulted in three deaths and several injuries.

The “sweat lodge” which was covered with tarps and blankets was 2.5 feet high on the sides and 4.5 feet high in the center. It is estimated that between 55 and 65 people participated in the ceremony.

Here is an account from a Beverly Bunn, an orthodontist who participated in the ceremony. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/23/earlyshow/main5413451.shtml

Many Native Americans are greatly concerned that their cultural practices are being misused by others for financial gain. Chief Arvol Looking Horse responds to this tragedy (prior to the third death) in Indian Country Today.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/64486777.html

Is it appropriate to use rituals and practices from other cultures?

________________

I believe it is inappropriate for individuals who are not educated or invested in the true purpose of rituals and practices of other cultures to conduct them. From his behavior, it seems Ray is one of these people. The Inikaga is an important and ancient ceremony, with many complex components and meanings passed down for generations. To attempt to replicate the process without proper training or without permission from tribal leaders would be disrespectful. As a result of the tragedy in Arizona, as well as other mimicking "sweat lodges," many feel the perception of Inikaga and Native American traditions are tarnished as misunderstandings are created.

"When you involve money, it changes the energy of healing."

I pulled this quote out because I feel it is one of the most important statements that Chief Arvol Looking Horse made in his response to the "ceremonies" conducted by Ray. If money is the primary reason for an individual to conduct a ceremony or ritual from another culture, the true purpose is already lost.

Diversity and Communication: Blog Assignment 3

Hotel Owner Tells Hispanic Workers to Change Names

By MELANIE DABOVICH, Associated Press Writer Melanie Dabovich, Associated Press Writer

TAOS, N.M. – Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.

The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence (he thought they’d be talking about him), and ordered some to Anglicize their names.

No more Martin (Mahr-TEEN). It was plain-old Martin. No more Marcos. Now it would be Mark.

Whitten’s management style had worked for him as he’s turned around other distressed hotels he bought in recent years across the country

To read more, visit

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_trouble_in_taos

_________

When reading this article, I was most struck by the final quote from the 71 year old local artist. He said, "Nobody won here. It's not always about winning. Sometimes, it's about what you learn." I believe this is a valuable lesson which is applicable to any situation where ignorance meets diversity. In these pairings, disputes will always spark as one or both parties endure injury. Differences in culture or beliefs bring about explicit differences in interactions and/or experiences, which is exemplified in this scenario by the way Whitten managed his hotel.

It is obvious that Whitten did not understand the extent to which his behavior was offensive to his employees and to the community. The fact that he took "what always worked" and applied it to a population so different than he had previously worked with was evidence of this. The scenario suggests that Whitten either did not do his research, did not fully understand the community, or as some suggest, he was simply racist in his actions and attitudes.

I believe Whitten came from a community where these such behaviors were seen as acceptable. The fact that he was called out for his actions illustrates a positive characterization of the people of Taos. Perhaps Whitten will learn something from this experience, and he will open his eyes to a new perspective on what it means to be accepting of diversity.

I think it is equally important to consider the reverse though. It may seem backwards to need to "understand those who misunderstand," but knowing where ignorance comes from is the first step to battling it. Really the only way to learn these lessons is to bring these differing opinions and people together and to open dialogue and interactions between them. Attitudinal changes come more quickly with personal experience.