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Hey so if you’re stumbling into the D&D orc discourse and are one of the handful of people here with an open-mind and a genuine desire to understand what’s going on, welcome! This thread is gonna be for you; a master list of resources that explain the problem if you’re willing.
Step 1:
The historical context.
This article explains a lot of the historical roots and issues with Orks. Including the letters in which Tolkien describes them as “least lovely mongol types” amongst other context and issues. https://jamesmendezhodes.com/blog/2019/1/13/orcs-britons-and-the-martial-race-myth-part-i-a-species-built-for-racial-terror
The historical context.
This article explains a lot of the historical roots and issues with Orks. Including the letters in which Tolkien describes them as “least lovely mongol types” amongst other context and issues. https://jamesmendezhodes.com/blog/2019/1/13/orcs-britons-and-the-martial-race-myth-part-i-a-species-built-for-racial-terror
Step 2:
The modern continuation
This article bridges the historical basis with the modern issues and contexts and helps explain why it continues to be a problem and grew past its initial route. https://jamesmendezhodes.com/blog/2019/6/30/orcs-britons-and-the-martial-race-myth-part-ii-theyre-not-human
The modern continuation
This article bridges the historical basis with the modern issues and contexts and helps explain why it continues to be a problem and grew past its initial route. https://jamesmendezhodes.com/blog/2019/6/30/orcs-britons-and-the-martial-race-myth-part-ii-theyre-not-human
Step 3:
Language
You have to understand that language that minimises the humanity of another is one of the most common tools of bigots who seek to justify their actions by treating the oppressed group as “less than.” This is a fact of our racist/ sexist/ homophobic world.
Language
You have to understand that language that minimises the humanity of another is one of the most common tools of bigots who seek to justify their actions by treating the oppressed group as “less than.” This is a fact of our racist/ sexist/ homophobic world.
The language used here is that language. Orcs, sentient beings, can be “domesticated.” They have an underlying, inherent rage and blood lust that’s just part of their biology. This is harmful because of the real world parallels to a ton of racist tropes.
Step 4:
An illustration of the limitations of this trope
Ajey’s thread expertly breaks down both mechanically and narratively how this lessens your gameplay experience AND why it perpetuates harmful racial stereotypes. A simple light read if you can’t dive into full articles. https://twitter.com/ajeypandey/status/1254442473474199553
An illustration of the limitations of this trope
Ajey’s thread expertly breaks down both mechanically and narratively how this lessens your gameplay experience AND why it perpetuates harmful racial stereotypes. A simple light read if you can’t dive into full articles. https://twitter.com/ajeypandey/status/1254442473474199553
Step 5:
Addressing the problem (and proof it isn’t made up)
This problem is common enough that here are 3 resources to adress it. The first by Gabe is a beautifully thought out system in a well put together PDF you can get for FREE. A literal steal. https://twitter.com/gabejamesgames/status/1245878124883202051
Addressing the problem (and proof it isn’t made up)
This problem is common enough that here are 3 resources to adress it. The first by Gabe is a beautifully thought out system in a well put together PDF you can get for FREE. A literal steal. https://twitter.com/gabejamesgames/status/1245878124883202051
But if you’ve made it this far and you’re still thinking this is a bunch of PoC making a fuss over nothing, here are well established white people in the dnd space writing articles about it that actively cite this issue.5 https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/563-reimagining-racial-ability-scores
This second article recognizes its enough of a racial issue to have hired a PoC consultant to help on it.
Overall I would recommend Gabe's one the most because you should prioritize PoC voices on topics like these (and its just real freakin good).
https://worldbuilderblog.me/2020/04/18/customizing-dd-races/
Overall I would recommend Gabe's one the most because you should prioritize PoC voices on topics like these (and its just real freakin good).
https://worldbuilderblog.me/2020/04/18/customizing-dd-races/
I link these two other articles primarily as proof that this is an issue that extends far enough to make it onto D&D beyond and to be addressed by major white creators and for one of them to hire a PoC cultural consultant to assist.
Anyways it’s Ramdan so if you’re coming here looking for a fight or someone to piss off that’s not gonna happen. In the spirit of this month I’ve extended an olive branch and if you genuinely want to learn more I’m glad to teach, but I won’t engage in bad faith.
P.S. remember this all started because someone posted the very lukewarm “this language is racist” tweet and everyone dog-piling them said “you’re racist for saying that about black people,” which they didn’t. If you’re gonna troll at least keep reality straight.
P.P.S.
@DeeEmSteve linked another wonderful resource in my comments breaking down the issue of bioessentialism in fantasy races more generically, which is a great thread by Kienna. Here it is for folks: https://twitter.com/kiennas/status/1161655684599099392?s=21
@DeeEmSteve linked another wonderful resource in my comments breaking down the issue of bioessentialism in fantasy races more generically, which is a great thread by Kienna. Here it is for folks: https://twitter.com/kiennas/status/1161655684599099392?s=21
