4 Reasons Black People Don't Play Tabletop RPGs
Bedrockgames
Legend
He says it is universal at the start of that point but I think he is making a more involved point. I think what he is saying is D&D has less presence in the black community and in black culture so it isn't as widely known as in say, a mostly white suburb. So while there are plenty of white people who don't know the game, I think his point is black people are less likely to know about it. And he seems to be making a similar statement in point 2 (otherwise I don't think he would have made it).
Bedrockgames
Legend
While I am sure this might have an impact on 3 and 4, I think it underestimates the importance of religion and culture. I can't speak to his experience, or what it is like to be black. But there are places in my life where RPGs are frowned on either for religious reasons or cultural ones. In those instances, the issue isn't awareness. Religious objections to D&D are predicated on awareness of D&D as a concept. And often times, the more you explain something like D&D to a person who objects to it on religion grounds, the more it confirms the things they fear about it. I grew up in a religious place during the Satanic panic, have very religious relatives, and when people think something as important as your soul is on the line, they can get pretty worried about RPGs. I think it is less common now, but I think his contention was he thinks it is still a very strong factor in the black community.
Ralif Redhammer
Legend
An interesting listen, definitely. I was not expecting to hear church come up, but it goes to show that the Satanic Panic still has an impact.
Spoken from a position of a total outsider, I'd like to express my gratitude for posting the link. Youtube would have never recommended this to me, I get barely any City of Mist stuff, and that's it.
Regarding the points made in the clip, I would say they mirror the adoption of RPGs in my country (EU): lack of familiarity with the subject (the fandom is about S-F, Fantasy is the poor cousin, RPGs - what's that?), language barrier (basically, unless your GM does the translation, you're left in the cold), Church stuff (fortunately, the clergy were largely ignorant, and directed their ire mostly toward Pokemons, Hello Kitty, anime in general, and later Harry Potter).
I sympathize, and I hope it's just a matter of time.
MGibster
Legend
Historically, churches have had a very important place in the African American history in that they were one of the few public spaces available to blacks where they could interact without interference from whites. We typically think of a church as where you go for religious services or community activities, but for blacks in the 19th and 20th century, the church was also where they went to discuss political issues and make plans. And black clergy were often one of the better educated members of their communities having gone to college in an era where even most whites didn't go. There's a reason the face of the Civil Rights Movement was The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Anecdotally speaking, none of my black friends are church goers. But, boy, their mothers are. And all of my black coworkers are church goers with one whose husband is a pastor.
I'm no defending RPG Elite's reasons here. But I'm just trying to put his belief into context.
GreyLord
Legend
Talking about RPG players and groups in general, and various different groups of people (POC, but also other groups of people) I will say he is DEAD ON about CR.
I saw part of one CR in the past, didn't really care for it...but you know, maybe it's because it's made by people with a culture that has NO INTRINSIC interest to me. They make things that only interest their groups and nothing that interests me or those in mine.
On 1&2, I have many POC in my groups, but I have to admit I am VERY CAREFUL on who I recruit to play RPGs. This is in general and not towards any group in particular, but it is STILL a thing these days for many to mock those who they feel play or do "nerdy" things. I suppose this sort of applies to #3, not necessarily a specific group, but again, in general, it CAN be a cultural thing. There are various groups that look down on those playing RPGs or things they do not feel is part of that culture that you and they are a part of. Its a reason why I don't point out that I play RPGs or do any of this stuff around certain people. I already know how they probably will react and it will not be good.
Also true, even if I have many POC in my groups, I have NEVER seen a group composed entirely of Black individuals around the table. The same would apply for me with any POC group to be honest.
#4 is also very relavent to many others groups. I don't most of my OWN family members know I play RPGs for exactly THIS reason.
It also is a reason why his resolution on how to solve it can be VERY hard. I don't want to be shunned by family or put down by others who I know would fall into areas of #3 and #4. Tough spot to be in.
I DO go over to co-workers and others to introduce them to RPGs if I think they would be receptive or enjoy that type of gaming. I'm still very careful around others though.
I saw part of one CR in the past, didn't really care for it...but you know, maybe it's because it's made by people with a culture that has NO INTRINSIC interest to me. They make things that only interest their groups and nothing that interests me or those in mine.
On 1&2, I have many POC in my groups, but I have to admit I am VERY CAREFUL on who I recruit to play RPGs. This is in general and not towards any group in particular, but it is STILL a thing these days for many to mock those who they feel play or do "nerdy" things. I suppose this sort of applies to #3, not necessarily a specific group, but again, in general, it CAN be a cultural thing. There are various groups that look down on those playing RPGs or things they do not feel is part of that culture that you and they are a part of. Its a reason why I don't point out that I play RPGs or do any of this stuff around certain people. I already know how they probably will react and it will not be good.
Also true, even if I have many POC in my groups, I have NEVER seen a group composed entirely of Black individuals around the table. The same would apply for me with any POC group to be honest.
#4 is also very relavent to many others groups. I don't most of my OWN family members know I play RPGs for exactly THIS reason.
It also is a reason why his resolution on how to solve it can be VERY hard. I don't want to be shunned by family or put down by others who I know would fall into areas of #3 and #4. Tough spot to be in.
I DO go over to co-workers and others to introduce them to RPGs if I think they would be receptive or enjoy that type of gaming. I'm still very careful around others though.
MGibster
Legend
I don't usually talk about gaming with anyone at work. Thanks to Zoom meetings and COVID, they know I paint silly robots, dinosaurs, and other models. During new employee orientation, when I went over accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance I once made a joke along the lines of, "I thought this stood for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons but it's actually accidental death & dismemberment. And it has to be accidental so don't get any funny thoughts." For most of my life, I have kept gaming a secret from most of the people I know.
Sacrosanct
Legend
This is the view from my laptop camera. My office is also the spare bedroom, and if they can't figure out I'm a geek by now, well, ...
Jd Smith1
Hero
To be honest, I've always felt that there is nothing more boring than someone telling me about a hobby I don't share, so I've never talked about mine, unless they bring it up first.
I've never encountered religious objections, even during the 80s, although I have always barred any religious themes or connections in my games
