Minorities & D&D/RPGs

[Thotas]

Well, since Sniffles actually referred you to me ... I've pretty much had the same experience. I knew on Asian gamer, and the others have all been white ... some down right pale! Of course, Oregon's a fairly whitish state, even the cities. Every time I go to Harvey's Comedy Club and the have a black comedian, you can just about count on him scanning the crowd at one point and saying something like, "Damn! You don't have any brothers in here at all, do ya?"

 

[DonTadow]

I'm African-American and I have two other African American (women no doubt) in my game. Also, last year I actually had probably the first 6 person African-American Dungeons and Dragons group (not planned it was a really odd occurance). I have two ex girlfriend whom are also still gamers. (both african americans)

I think the problem is that gaming is still considered super demonic in our culture. A great majority of African-Americans are Christians and religion is highly prompt in our society. The games early 80s horrible reputation rang true. I remember the first time my mom came over my apartment and saw us playing at my game she nearly flipped her lid and honest to god began blessing the game table. (oh what an embarassing moment. ). Its hard to introduce us to gaming.

The only board games dominant in our culture are spades, dominoes, uno and the occasional monopoly game. We are a very culture oriented race and rarely will you see "us" venture outside of our culture comfort zone as far as recreation goes. Like mostly culturely knit cultures, we tend to alienate those whom are not like the rest of the culture. My gf's mom hid her phb when she first got it and one time she woke up to her mom dosing her with holy water.

There are a number of AFrican-Americans interested in gaming but are afraid from being too different from the culture and just don't know where to ask or who to go to. Most of the AFrican-Americans I game with I introduced to rpgs by being very open with my hobby and bringing out its strong points. "It's one of the most creative games that combines storytelling with an everchanging "board". I invite them over to watch the games, play a little, they have quite a bit of fun. For every one African-American I've introduced to gaming there are two who have come over and said it wasn't for them (including my best friend and older brother whom I have made a personal mission to get them into rpgin).

It starts with one. I remembered when I was playing magic. EArlier in the stores history, It was me and maybe two or three other African-Americans. But then everyone started bringing friends and eventually there were times when we had 25 people playing a large multiplayer of magic and 80 percent of them were African Americans.

 

[Wyn A'rienh]

My weekly game group consists of me (white female), a hispanic male, an african-american male, and two white males.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Dannyalcatraz
I've been black for 38 years, and a RPG gamer for 27 of those years.

Reveal
I hope you're only 38 or else you got a lot of explaining to do.

Darth K'Trava
The reversal of the Michael Jackson "skin treatment"?

Hokay- lemme 'splain:

I'm one of those "human gumbo" style black guys who hates almost all of the terminology that has come along in my lifetime. My ancestry includes Native American, Puerto Rican, Arabic, German, French, Italian, and Eastern European Jews, just to name a few, so things like "African American" just sound blech to me.

Heck, I'm actually 1/4th Puerto Rican, so I could call myself a "Quarter-Rican."
...but then again, THAT particular lineage can be traced back to the Middle East...

So, black for 38 years, black 4-Evah! (Oh yeah...and I'll also accept being called American!)

 

[reveal]

Hokay- lemme 'splain:

I'm one of those "human gumbo" style black guys who hates almost all of the terminology that has come along in my lifetime. My ancestry includes Native American, Puerto Rican, Arabic, German, French, Italian, and Eastern European Jews, just to name a few, so things like "African American" just sound blech to me.

Heck, I'm actually 1/4th Puerto Rican, so I could call myself a "Quarter-Rican."
...but then again, THAT particular lineage can be traced back to the Middle East...

So, black for 38 years, black 4-Evah! (Oh yeah...and I'll also accept being called American!)

No explanation needed. I just thought that was really funny.

Kind of like the beginning to The Jerk: "I was born a poor black child."

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I WAS born a poor black child!

No, really!

(and it was meant to be funny, too- I'm glad you caught it)

 

[talinthas]

I'm an indian gamer, and when i DM'd at college, my group was the spectrum--asians, whites, blacks, halfs, girls and guys. But living in california will do that for ya.

honestly, once you sit down at a table, the only races that matter are in the PHB.

 

[Animus]

honestly, once you sit down at a table, the only races that matter are in the PHB.

Hear hear!

 

[Bloodstone Press]

I've known at least 2 african american gamers.

 

[DarrenGMiller]

I have only known one african-american gamer, but have gamed with 3 Asians, countless females and people from many religious or non-religious backgrounds. I think the social spread of the game, beginning with mid-western whites, has limited the diversity some, but that it is increasing as the game ages. As has been said, "The only races that really matter are the ones in the PHB." Unless you use some from other sources.

DM