Misogyny alive and well in video games

I came across the story of one woman's experience in the gaming world today and it reminded me to speak about that world - briefly, as I'm not an expert - to express my support for women in gaming and those who speak out in support of them.

Video games have been a niche market up until relatively recently thus are yet to be fully explored as a base of misogyny.  Now that world is becoming more and more mainstream and games are an art form in the view of many participants and interested parties (me included). The field is very much an adult environment, despite the popular notion that it's all about kids, however, kids are operating in that environment and doubtless being influenced by the online interactions and commentary.

Women gamers playing online are subjected to almost casual sexism and misogynistic assumptions, statements, even threats.   I am not a gamer myself (I don't have the coordination and reflexes for it, not to mention the memory) but I hear about the female experience from my son and particularly my daughter-in-law, keen gamers and commentators (http://blackpanel.com.au/) and other sources that I come across.  Mind you, at my age you tend to know it anyway because that's just the ongoing history of women moving and acting in the world.

When sites & critics speak out about misogyny, they tend to become targets.  This discourages and frightens many who, although they don't agree with the bad behaviour, don't want to be confronted themselves.  If we're silent in the face of this we're part of the problem.  We need to speak out when we see this going on because overwhelming the offenders with disdain is a powerful tool and the more who speak the more isolated those offenders become.

Here's an example of a critic's page:  http://www.feministfrequency.com/
Here's a tale of her backlash experience:  http://www.feministfrequency.com/2012/12/tedxwomen-talk-on-sexist-harassment-cyber-mobs/

The importance of pursuing war crimes in court

Given the unwillingness of powerful countries to have their actions examined in the press, let alone in the International Criminal Court, there needs to be a way to drag them into the ICC whether they like it or not, whether they acknowledge its jurisdiction or not, even if they refuse to comply at all.  Let's face it, given the choice, most criminals would not go to court to answer for their crimes.  So how come the world gives choice to the worst criminals of all - those who commit atrocities in the name of their state and its people.



The world may have turned a blind eye to the Nazi atrocities until after it was all over but that is no reason to repeat the deliberate blindness with Zionist atrocities.  Zionists do tend to overlook the fact that the Jewish people were not the only victims of Nazis, although that doesn't lessen the horror.  They are all crimes against humanity and the perpetrators and victims are all people with an equal right to life and liberty.



We MUST find a way to hold ALL STATES (not just the Africans) accountable to the world's people for the treatment of our human family.



Palestinian leaders poised to join ICC in order to pursue Israel for war crimes | World news | The Guardian

Relying on the Constitution to protect us?

I'm sometimes surprised that people think the Australian Constitution protects us.  The only things that protect us are our willingness to stand up and be counted for social and legal rights, for ethical and fair behaviours, for compassionate treatment of all life AND the ability to unite together in those battles.  Among the things we must do:

• REFUSE TO BE GUIDED BY OUR FEAR OF 'OTHER';
• REFUSE TO ACT ON OUR OWN WORST INSTINCTS;
• REFUSE TO REMAIN SILENT IN THE FACE OF ETHICAL WRONGS;
• PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS; 
• OPPOSE GOVERNMENT SECRECY; 
• OPPOSE CORPORATE OWNERSHIP OF OUR PARLIAMENT;
• INFORM OURSELVES AND PICK OUR SIDE.  

Most of all, take responsibility for our actions or, more to the point, our inactions.



House of Representatives Factsheet: The Constitution

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz - Watch Free Documentary Online

This is a 'MUST WATCH' film. It is happening every day and if you're not against the ptb (powers that be) and their misuse of their power, you are part of their army, turning your 'guns' on the innocents who are trying to save the world. I do not believe it is an exaggeration to say that this is a life and death battle for world freedom and information is our ammunition. To get involved you can start right now to OPPOSE THE ACQUISITION OF METADATA! I need protection more from my government and the corporations that control it than I will ever need from terrorists.

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz - Watch Free Documentary Online