Menu

«Previous post | Next post»

On New Year’s Eve a follower of KotakuinAction( leaderboard on Reddit) wrote this letter to the anti-gg community.

It’s message is very inspirational, and serves as an example that no matter what your obstacles in life may be—don’t let them hold you back from doing what you love the most.

The letter, which follows provides the insight into this long war that many have needed to understand just why and how Gamergate has changed the public and private face of gaming for both genders.

Will the 2015 edition of #GamerGate, become just as chaotic as it was last year?

Some say it’s a gender war, yet others argue it’s an ethical war. No matter which side you fight for you can’t deny the feelings in this young person’s letter.

“Let me first tell you something about myself to give you some context. I’m a gamer, 26 years old, that is paralyzed in both my hands. I still consider myself a gamer despite this. I may not be able to become the best at something due to my condition but at least I try.

I have been neutral on the whole Gamergate debate since it started and never wanted to really pick a side, because I felt that I would just be a drop of water compared to the ocean of people who represent Gamergate.

But tonight was a turning point for me. As a disabled gamer I got furious about the fact that people went after totalbiscuit for retweeting a charity stream. This all while it is new years eve and he is in the hospital for freaking chemo. I mean come on how sad as a human being can you be to sink so low. This was the drop that flooded the bucket. I already was annoyed at the behaviour from the other side.

Sure my reason for getting furious might be colored by totalbiscuit his videos being something that can brighten up my day since I’m confronted with my condition daily. And that is something that can make you pretty depressed overal.

I just wanted to thank gamergate for all that it has done up to now. I firmly believe in your cause. I just wanted to let you all know that I and probably many others really appreciate what you all are doing.

Thank you for 2014. Keep it up in 2015. I hope to see your good work continue. I will probably get hate from the other side for this. But I have nothing left to lose anymore anyway. Thank you all for making me think of the future a bit brighter.

Kind regards.”

The absolution this person feels is true. For too long we’ve been seeing arguments from both sides—yet no resolutions to the problems.

If we could sit down with the bigger names in this situation: Milo, Anita Sarkeesian, Zoe Quinn, Brianna Wu, Hotwheels (8-chan) and Arthur Chu and bring about change everyone can agree on we’ll retire the hashtag.

But if we can’t—things could go in a direction we really don’t want to see such as actual violence and even pain.

It’s a new year for a new change—let’s make it happen for the new generation!

***Disclaimer***
This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s)
opinions.

Kenay Peterson
The Gaming Ground