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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mercurius" data-source="post: 8022869" data-attributes="member: 59082">This is going too far, Hussar (and I think overly conflates this issue with real world race issues, and perpetuates the notion that those not on the same page with the "linkage interpretation" are inherently gatekeeping, rather than just coming from a different interpretative framework).Leaving racism aside, if the problem is exclusion in the D&D community, then one isn't necessarily "part of the problem" if they disagree about this interpretative link. This would imply that for those non-white people who don't see the linkage, or don't think it is a problem, that they're also part of the problem. It also implies that there is a Right Way of seeing this issue, all others are shades of wrong. That's called fundamentalism.That said, if you are saying that telling them that the linkage isn't there is part of the problem, I think there is truth to that. Or at least, if we tweak your wording to be more like "telling them that what they feel is wrong." If they feel the way they feel, there is a problem that should be addressed (although how is a matter of debate...obviously). Just because I personally don't think that the depiction of orcs perpetuates racism, doesn't mean that I don't think changes are warranted. The problem is real for some people, so needs to be addressed in some way, and to some degree. Real people feel excluded, so that needs to be addressed. Emphasis on "in some way."But telling the Linkage People that you don't see the linkage, no, that doesn't automatically make one part of the problem (of exclusion). Unless, of course, I'm running around in gatherings of Linkage People and shouting, "you're all wrong!" One can say, "I don't agree with your interpretation for these reasons, but I don't think you or anyone should feel excluded, so let's find a way to change that."On the other hand, pummeling the Non-Linkage People--or anyone who isn't lock-step with Linkagism--again and again, with accusations of exclusion or, worse, racism, doesn't help. At all. And it doesn't facilitate real understanding between the two camps, and also ignores that there aren't really just two camps, but a wide range of perspectives.This is a discussion board, and the topic at hand is how to come up with creative solutions. The linkage (Linkagegate?!) is impossible to separate from discussion unless we all agree on that linkage. Obviously we don't, and there probably won't ever be full agreement. But what we can do is come up with solutions. We can all agree that there is a problem (because  for some, there is a problem), and we can all agree (I think/hope) that everyone who wants to play D&D should feel like they're part of the community.As an aside, I would guess that seeing the linkage is more ideological than it is based on one's ethnicity. It is an interpretation of data based upon a certain ideological framework. It most certainly is not POC/inclusionists/allies vs. whites/exclusionists/racists, and let's not make it that.</blockquote>

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