Okay, Okay… So I know I said I wouldn’t update this blog again until I did the site upgrade, but I read something this morning that just pissed me off so hard!
This morning I read for the ump-teenth time about how girls who take pictures in erotic poses with games and game playing paraphernalia aren’t real gamers, and implying that they are no better than “whores” (their words, not mine…) and it made me so mad.
It’s unfair to tell someone that in order to be taken seriously as a gamer they must deny other aspects of their lives. Other aspects that I believe give a person a balanced lifestyle.
Frankly, I have been copping flack for it for years and I’m fed up. I’m not allowed to dress up nice, I’m not allowed to be interested in clothes and make-up, I’m not allowed to play sports (heaven forbid I get some exercise!). Basically, I’m not allowed to do anything that isn’t related to games… Because if I do anything other than gaming, I am wasting my time and not to be taken seriously… Unless it involves me running around in skimpy clothing and providing food of some variety to the “real” gamers while they are playing. Then that is okay… (Stereotype much?)
Why can’t a person who enjoys games pose in an erotic way? Do I have to deny my sexuality in order to be taken seriously as a gamer? Why should a person have to choose between expressing themselves as a sexual creature and playing games that give them enjoyment? And why can’t a person bring two parts of their world that they enjoy together, just for the love of both?
I’m not going to go down the “Just because you are too ugly to pose that way, doesn’t mean that I have to stop” path… Because frankly, that is a) a lie, everyone has beauty and everyone can take a good looking picture. And b) not helpful at all.
But I will say, perhaps the people who are making these claims need to actually look at their own actions. Perhaps posing on the ground with your legs spread trying to look like an innocent school girl who “fell over” and “is totally cute, don’t you just want to date me and treat me like the irrational princess I am???” is not the best way to get your argument across. If you are going to claim that posing in a way that is arousing for men means you are no better than a “whore” (again, their words, not mine), it’s probably not a good idea to pose in a way that is arousing for men. You kinda lose your point.
I’d also like to point out that perhaps these people should show a little dignity, and if they are going to pose in an arousing fashion, they should just admit it. Even if the aim isn’t to be wank material, they are posing in such a way as to make people like them and think that they are attractive.
I pose nude. They pose with clothes on. The message is still the same, I’m just being honest about what I am trying to achieve with my picture.
Another thing that I would like to point out, it’s a similar topic but somewhat different.
A few months ago, a good friend of mine said about me to some of my other good friends, in front of me, while they were talking about games that I wouldn’t understand and that I am not really into games. Their reasoning is because I don’t play games very often.
I’ve had a few people say similar things to me, and I want to clear that up once and for all. I was so offended by these remarks.
I actually really enjoy games. A lot. My favorites are games like GTA3, Pokemon (Red and Blue are clearly the bestest, followed by Gold and Silver.) and I really enjoyed Phantom Hourglass (say what you want about it not being as good as The Ocarina of Time… *shrugs*). I may have gotten into the game scene a little later than other people but I still have fun. And hand-held consoles are always going to be my favorite…
The reason I don’t play a lot of games? Because I have a disability. I have juvenile arthritis and it affects my hands more so than the rest of my body. Because of my arthritis I find it incredibly difficult to hold onto game controllers for extended periods of time. It causes me massive amounts of pain. Even typing out this blog hurts my hands so much that I have had to stop three times to rest whilst typing so far.
I prefer to watch people play games and help navigate through maps, that way I can still be involved but not end up crippled. I already have to take so many different supplements to stop it from getting any worse, I don’t really want to have to add any extra tablets into my regimen if I can avoid it, especially pain medications.
I don’t think that is such a bad thing, involving myself through watching rather than actively playing the game. But hey, if it means I can’t be “in with your crowd”, maybe I can find another crowd to be a part of.
So, the gist of what I am saying here???
A) Don’t be a hypocrite.
B) Don’t be mean to the cripple! :P
And to all those people out there that say that you can’t pose nude with gaming paraphernalia because it makes you a “whore”… I say… Nerrrr!!!
Lots of love,
~ Viola xoxo
