Denying and Defending Racist Themes in the OpenSim
Trigger Warning: Racism and racial violence discussions This May 25th was the 5th year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. People are still honouring him across the globe and may he rest in power. When we celebrate racist narratives in fiction we contribute to normalizing the continuation of racism and inciting of racial violence that is still happening today. We haven't done better in all the areas we should. In fact America especially is backsliding under Trump. There are many uniquely creative and beautiful regions in the Opensim that are based on themes from TV, movies and books. And folks who have expertise in those themes usually do a pretty bang up job of recreating something they love. But what do we do when the old movie we love is just too racist? From what I’ve observed, people deny it or try to reframe it so they don't have to give up that comforting old friend that has been with them all the years. Sometimes we can negotiate to celebrate the good parts whil...