RE5 Pushing Boundaries of Racism Says African Women’s Blog
- Scribbled on August 2nd, 2007 by Devin Grimes
- Filed in Industry News, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, WTF
Many felt that it was inevitable given the setting, and now an African Women’s blog, Black Looks is the first to say that Resident Evil 5, or at least the trailer is nothing but a ploy to spread racism throughout the gaming community.
The producers of Resident Evil 5 took an extremely brave step by setting the locale in Africa, and centering it on what looks very similar to the current Darfur situation. Adding zombies to the mix, the trailer depicts several groups of what looks to be combating Africans being infected with the zombie virus, and then feeling the wrath of “all American” whiteboy Chris Redfield. Here is the blog’s interpretation:
The Black people are supposed to be zombies and the white man’s job is to destroy them and save humanity. “I have a job to do and I’m gonna see it through.” This is problematic on so many levels, including the depiction of Black people as inhuman savages, the killing of Black people by a white man in military clothing, and the fact that this video game is marketed to children and young adults. Start them young… fearing, hating, and destroying Black people.
I would have to say this theory is wrong on so many levels, given past games in the series have done virtually the same thing. RE5 looks strikingly similar to Resident Evil 4; the only thing that’s changed is the setting. Marketing young isn’t an issue if parent’s are doing what they should be doing and controlling the content that’s in their house.
(Thanks, GamePolitics)
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
What about all the white
people… zombies killed in the first 4?August 2nd, 2007 at 1:48 pm
My thoughts exactly.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
People need to re-read the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf.
When you jump at every opportunity to cry “racism”, it’s hard to take you seriously at the times when you actually have a credible case.