While not a bikini armor issue, this is a very important one which relates to the same core problem – complete disrespect for a group of people’s humanity.
In this case it is a case of Monte Cook Games (probably the most influential independent studio in pen-and-paper roleplaying) refusing to respect Native Americans and treat them as people rather than as a racist fantasy trope. In summary:
- Monte Cook Games have been asked to remove from publication a small part of one of their settings, literally just a few very non-essential pages among hundreds on a project that went well over goal on Kickstarter.
- Their response has been to insist that unless they can keep the (offensive) concept and be given approval on their own terms, they’re not interested in discussion – as in block anyone who mentions it not interested.
- Monte Cook Games is an independent yet hugely influential publisher – Monte Cook himself was a major voice in creating Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition and was almost involved in the most recent edition too. A large part of a generation of role players look to him as a hero and his team includes other industry giants.
It’s appalling that a studio with this much autonomy and influence would choose to perpetuate these dehumanizing tropes and stereotypes then further belittle the people who suffer for it.
As such starshineexx has created the linked petition and we encourage everyone to help out by lending their voices to this cause and let an influential studio know that this just is not acceptable.
– wincenworks
Edit: More information on why this is important in an excellent article here.