Denial and Delusion – Why Public Conversations About Race Fail Before They Begin
When will we see a brown-skinned person trying to save the world?
Why don’t game developers understand that we want to be heroes too?
…
After all this discussion, I am actually not angry at Chris Mottes. His post reveals some anger, but also notes of confusion. I think he truly may not understand the problem. After all, most people do not spend their time thinking about the implications of living in a racist society, particularly when you are a part of the majority. Maybe he can come to understand the issue in the broader context.
My anger (which is driving this post) started around the time I checked out the MultiCultClassics blog. In Essay 4076, HiJive posts a dialogue (and I am using that term loosely) between Hadji Williams (who was on an ATR podcast ) and Bart Cleveland.
Cleveland wrote about allowing hires to move on and rise within the industry as a way to retain and encourage new talent. Williams fired back a provocative response to the shortcomings in Cleveland’s article, ending his comment with:
You can talk all you want about what agencies can do to get the “cool kids,” but until we accept the fact that we have to want the cool kids so bad that their educational background and ethnic background won’t be held against them, then this industry will continue to deserve the 92% white rosters and homogenized clutter-creating ideas that it continues to turn out. —Hadji Williams, Chicago, IL
Cleveland responds:
Whoa, you are on a rip and all I can say is, calm down and get some perspective. The guy who I mentioned in my piece who left to work for Mother didn’t go to one of the “four” schools, he went to the University of Texas. I can assure you as a CD looking for talent I welcome it from anywhere. As far as your race rant, you’ve obviously had a bad personal experience, but it doesn’t mean it’s the norm. Many agencies are hiring people from all over the world. Thanks to the ad schools like MAS we have that option. Different backgrounds and cultural diversity are a plus in a creative industry. Talent is at too much of a premium for agencies to do as you say we’re doing, hiring based upon race. Are you sure that your problem is your race and education? Could it be your book? Give it some thought. I hope you feel better now that you got your frustration off your chest. Best of luck to you. —Bart Cleveland, Albuquerque, NM
Calm down and get some perspective?
Are you fucking kidding me?
I admire Hadji Williams for his restraint because I started seeing red flashes.
Different backgrounds are a plus? Williams’ experience is not the norm?
WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?
You write for AdAge! They published five major articles on the issues in diversifying the ad industry in 2007 alone! You’re a fucking journalist! Don’t you fucking read?
I really need to compose myself.
I stewed over this all yesterday.
I suppose what upsets me the most is the differences in tone. Mottes is coming from a perspective I can appreciate. While there is discussion of race in the gaming industry, it has never been a key topic. Race in gaming often takes a backseat to more hot-button topics like video game violence or the console wars. While some bloggerstackle the subject with remarkable aplomb, video games are still finding their place in society, and are still working to be recognized as cultural influences on par with novels and movies. Hopefully, as gaming begins to mature, more avenues for discussion about the social issues in video game design and development will open.
However, Bart Cleveland epitomizes what is wrong with the advertising industry. The reality is laid bare for all to see. The New York City Commission on Human Rights has gotten involved. 15 major ad agencies have pledged to increase minority hires.
This is major industry news.
How dare you close your eyes to it, and keep promoting some bullshit “it isn’t us, it’s you” perspective?
I know that race (and racism) is an uncomfortable topic to discuss.
But that discomfort is not a compelling enough reason to hide from the truth.
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