We all know
that discrimination exists in real life. Be it sex, age, racial, gender or
religious discrimination a lot of people have faced discrimination in real
life. based on this fact i thought id delve in and find out if discrimination
exists in our virtual world.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): have you
ever experienced discrimination in second life?
Mistress Sex Kitten Mistwalker
(becca.drascol): Yes I have. Once I went to a club and had my "escort"
tag on from my own club. Without warning and without time to take the tag off I
was ejected and banned. Also as a club co owner I have a hard time finding
work, most all places automatically judge, without knowing me that I am out to
poach staff.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): how does
this effect you?
Mistress Sex Kitten Mistwalker (becca.drascol): The tag thing made me feel like people
don't take time they have their finger on the eject and don't care about lag,
or a person like me simply forgetting. I almost always go to no tag or a
neutral one when i hop around SL to respect other venues. Assuming that as a co
owner of a club I am out to poach staff, used to hurt. I felt like I was placed
in a category of "everyone else," and that I am uncaring and cold.
When in truth I like to see venues of all kinds survive and like to help
others.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): have you
ever experienced discrimination in second life?
Hell's Jester
(damnedfool): I've
found a few that don't like my furry form but I don't let that bother me.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): ty for
your time
Hell's Jester (damnedfool): No problem.
Dragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): have you
ever experienced discrimination in second life?
Ferarri Canucci ™ (ferarri.carissa): yes i have once or twice.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): how did
it affect you?
Ferarri Canucci ™ (ferarri.carissa): well it did hurt a little but they
are nothing to me so i don't let it affect me.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): thank you
for your time
Ferarri Canucci ™ (ferarri.carissa): no worries
Dragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): have you
ever experienced discrimination in second life?
Petra Amare (petravoorst): Yes I have unfortunately. You know my
profile is open about who I am. And that does trigger some people to nasty
comments.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): how does
that affect you?
Petra Amare (petravoorst): Well...mostly not ...since SL has a capable mute list..but
deep inside..yeah...it does hurt. Weird enough..the worst hurt.. Was when I was
"done"....and I planned to be a full girl in SL ...at Kitty's.
Dancing there as girl..with 5 or 6 others..all shemale avatars.
Me being only
girl..and there were 2 guests tipping them over and over again...none to me. It
wasn't the money...but the meaning going out from that. Finally being
myself..and then not be accepted. Hurt enough to quit SL for a few months. SL
is largely occupied with Americans. Nothing wrong with that..smiles..don't get
me wrong. But large parts of USA being like I am is just not accepted. Looked
upon as crazy...dirty. Lot of them take that attitude in here. Europeans are
way more open about it And FOR it. Has to do with religion...upbringing..all
that And FOR it.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): do you
think people judged more before or after you changed to playing as a female?
Petra Amare (petravoorst): After. In my previous life I was
posing as full female. and was convincing obviously. But anyways..people now
can read about me..and if they ask about it..whatever what..I answer openly. I
wish more people in SL would come out for their true feelings, whatever they
are..and more would accept that. That is the main reason behind my profile. I
want people to ask...and maybe..just maybe..grow a bit more understanding.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): have you
ever experienced discrimination in second life?
Rayne Meisha Howe (vividdreamz): I have, for the way I live the
lifestyles I live. Multiple times actually.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): how did
that affect you?
Rayne Meisha Howe (vividdreamz): It shut me out mostly of a lifestyle
I once lived on here... I no longer live it, and if I do I keep it very
secrecy.. And I feel ashamed of the lifestyle to live it.
Ðragon Mistwalker (dragonmaster.mistwalker): thank you
for your time
Rayne Meisha Howe (vividdreamz): You're very welcome
So in closing
yes Second Life just the same as our real life discrimination exists. Just in putting together
this article one of the people I approached asked what they could do for me a
better wardrobe or a better looking wife. This is not the first time I myself
have encountered discrimination.
My wish for this article is it gives people
pause to think. If we put aside petty closed minds and prejudices not just in
sl but rl too our virtual world and the rl would be better places.
If you have experienced discrimination in Second Life, share
your story in the comment box below.
Posts
Very well explained and written article. The world shouldn't be so cruel, virtual or first life. But one thing I've always said is, karma bites. The ones who treat you like you're any different than being human or of a kind of your own fantasy, they themselves have yet ventured out or maybe they did and got treated wrong themselves, but if only they could see it's not the outside of people that should matter it's the love, care, and joy they bring to us that should matter most... one day the cruelty I hope will end in both worlds first life and second life... or in fact any virtual worlds...
ReplyDeleteOh, so your SL partner was booted form a club because she left HER club tag on? Boo frigging hoo. Happens all the time. I hardly think that amounts to 'discrimination' on the level of racism, sexism, etc.
ReplyDeleteFurries? Yeah, furries don't always mesh with other people's RP. Same with kiddie avatars, Goreans, etc.
Oh, and people asking if you'd like help with your wardrobe? Discrimination??? Really??????
Thanks for 'delving' so deeply into a subject that is much more important than someone not liking your pixel clothing.
I'll leave off with a quote from one of your 'victims': "People who adamantly don't mix SL and RL are usually wanted by the police, immigration authorities or their spouse's divorce lawyer[.]"
Now if that isn't 'discrimination' I don't know what is.