Willie the Duck
Hero
ME? You think that's me? No, I'm hoping that I can get home and find my copy so I can actually provide some useful contribution to the thread. Because I'm tired of the Chud Maximuses walking away thinking the 'pwned the wokes' or whatever. And that's what I'm afraid is happening, because yes, although there's a podcast that can repeatedly be mentioned (letting someone else do the heavy lifting), no one here seems to have examples of our own, because apparently no one has the book anymore.No we're not. We've pointed y'all to a podcast that breaks down the text multiple times. We're just tired with engaging with the deniers over and over again.
So, I suppose I'll step into the hornet's nest with one example.
One of the main criticisms of the Oriental Adventures line and the Kara-Tur setting is that it is presented as a pan-Asian setting but takes most of its inspiration from Japanese culture as seen through Western eyes. In the Oriental Adventures hardcover, we're introduced to the samurai class, a misappropriation of a Japanese cultural element. In the Kara-Tur boxed set, NPCs of all the various nations are often described as having levels in the samurai class . . . . if they're from Japanese influenced Wa or Kozakura, Korean-inspired Koryo, or Chinese-inspired Shou Lung and T'u Lung.
The class itself is based on a stereotype of how the West views Japanese samurai, and then it is used to describe characters from all over Kara-Tur. When I was young, I didn't even notice or realize this was problematic. I've since listened to gamers much more familiar with Asian culture, geography, and history than I am and my eyes have been opened.
You want more examples? There are plenty. Are you REALLY interested or just throwing up blocks to the argument? If you truly are interested, listen to the Asians Represent podcast for some views from Asian-descent gamers. There are a lot of episodes, they are two-hours long each, the panel tends to wander a bit, they only cover mere pages per episode . . . . but it's right there, waiting for you . . . . if you are really, truly interested in learning.
But please, explain how I'm putting up blocks. This ought to be rich.