New York Times Says Resident Evil 5 is not Racist
I never thought I’d praise a newspaper on these (cyber)pages, but there is always a first, I suppose. Joining some other publications, millions of gamers and pretty much anyone who has common sense, the New York Times have stated that Resident Evil 5 is not racist.
“Let’s get this out of the way: Resident Evil 5 is not a racist game.
For at least a year some black journalists have been wringing their hands about whether the game, the latest in the seminal survival-horror series, inflames racist stereotypes because it is set in Africa. The answer is no…”
Then:
“So Resident Evil 5 exposes the perhaps uncomfortable truth that blacks and Arabs can become zombies too, just like anyone else. Blacks and Arabs do not have a secret anti-zombie gene. And just like all the thousands of white, Asian and Hispanic zombies that have been dispatched in innumerable other games before them, the African zombies must also be destroyed, or at least neutralized.”
I know that this seems like a ‘duh’ moment to you, but I felt the need to chronicle what seems to be a breakthrough: a newspaper is talking sense about games. There you go, now you see why this is newsworthy.
From nazi zombies in COD to black zombies in RE5! the multi-cultured world of the walking dead is blind to race, religion or politics.
asa scottish girl,i feel slightly disappointed there are no kilt wearing zombies! maybe one day huh?
Kilt-wearing zombies must be in the pipeline somewhere…
Its not!! mY god.. its just a game,,,
itsjust blacks waving the racest flag once again
i agree, about 8 resident evils have had all white zombies and the odd token black on ! now its set in africa ( a mainly black populated region) its racist ? wot bollox, i think its stupid capcom puttin loads of white zombies in the game cause who in there write mind would want to visit (let alone live) in those shitty shanty town villages !!!!
and as an englishmen i think scottish zombies would b fukin great ! lol
First of all – Marylin – genius idea. As part Irishman I personally would like to see Leprachaun zombies, or a least more drink in games.
Jon, as one of the authors of this site I’m very much against trolls, but I have to bite here — your type of comment is the reason the “racist flag” gets waved – and lends it credence.
Ben…er..some people don’t have a choice but to live in those places….have a bit of thought, or maybe watch the news after school, there’s a good little lad.
Capcom havent been racist — but I do believe they have been racially insensitive – it’s not the actual black zombies that are disturbingly offensive, its the non-zombie africans – e.g. the ones seen kicking someone in a bag in the street..portrayed in a savage, dark continent way that is completely innaccurate and very archaic..
For the second time in my life, I am actually ashamed to be a gamer. Black people are not saying that the game is racist, they are saying that it is insensitive. I hear you despicable gamers complain about no one complaining about RE4’s spanish zombies, but who do you idiots expect to complain……black people. Plus, RE4 had Spaniards as zombies…..Spaniards are Caucasian you nimrods, there not hispanic or latino. You people are ignorant. Capcom, chose Africa simply for its cinematic setting. What they did wrong was continue a demonized portrayal of Afrikaans that is not accurate. To hell with RE5, I rather play Gears of War 2 cause its ten times better.
Easy Peasy Lonzo! Looky here now, it’s a darn game. who gives a hoot what it promotes – racism, violence, intolerance – at the end of the day it is still a game geared towards adults. If it offends someone – ah well, don’t buy it, don’t play it. the problems do not lie in the game, but they lie w/in the player. if the player can’t differentiate between reality and a game, then theres a problem. I say to you Lonzo – don’t buy it, and don’t worry, I’ll make sure i tell good ‘ol abe lincoln that you’ve done your part too…
i agree with jared.it is just a game.and besides that,apparently no one noticed that there aren’t just black zombies in the game,there are also some caucasian/middle-eastern looking zombies as well. and it has everything to do with the fact of it being in africa,if you actually pay attention to the story-line,you would know that Lonzo. africa is where the whole story began(with the progenitor flower that caused the research for all the other viruses.)but that’s not the point i’m trying to make,the point is,it’s just a game,and a damn good one at that!! and just like with all games,they are as unique as the people who play them.if you don’t like a game or it’s “not your style”,don’t buy it,don’t play it,don’t download the demo or rent it,and most importantly….DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.
Boy that was the last thing on my mind when i played this game. Where do these people come up with this stuff. Get over itttt. PLEASE!