Jason24cf of Dominion Method Gaming recently interviewed DMG|BurnYourBra to discuss what it's like being a female gamer in the fighting game community. She shares some negative and positive experiences, along with details about her personal life.Forward by DMG|jason24cf: I only have been a member of the fighting game community for a short while, little less than a year now, in fact. And from what I have seen on streams and what I seen at two majors I have attended was a really strong community where players help one another. That’s not always case. What I read the other day from a post by a gamer was really a shock to me. So I reached out to her to find out what went down, this is her response.
DMG|jason24cf: I’m here with DMG’s own BurnYourBra. Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to do this interview. I wanted to have this sit down with you because I respect you as a player. I read some real foul stuff went down at a recent tournament in Houston you competed in. What went down at this tournament that upset you so much to post your frustration on Facebook?
DMG|BurnYourBra: Well, this didn't happen at the last tournament I went to. Honestly, this has probably been occurring for almost a year now and just recently I've decided to address it. There seems to be an attitude in the fighting game community that I've been noticing lately.
DMG|jason24cf: And that is?
DMG|BurnYourBra: At tournaments players talk [crap] to each other. That's just the way tournaments are. People get hyped. Players get salty when they lose, which is fine. But there is a difference between trash talking and calling other players disrespectful names. For me, I've been called a dyke, a butch, a slut, a bitch... I was even called a black bitch to my face along with being called a lesbian, a gorilla, and a monkey. Now I know people are going to say that as a player in the community, you have to have a thick skin. I do, but that doesn't mean that I won't speak up about the names I've been called. Because these names refer to my sex, but most of them refer to my race; which to me is racist. I think some of these people are blurring the lines between trash talk and disrespectful trash talk. And again, this is just my experience on the matter. I don't know if anyone else has had this experience. So I wrote a note on my Facebook, made it private, and got the opinions of several other black female gamers. They all have had somewhat the same type of experience as I, some have seen it and others have heard of it.
DMG|jason24cf: You would think times have changed but it seems like it’s still all the same.
DMG|BurnYourBra: YOU WOULD THINK, right? *Laughs* But, I guess not.
DMG|jason24cf: I can understand outsiders with name calling because they are not down with the fighting game community, but having your peers call you this is just plain wrong.
DMG|BurnYourBra: Yes it is, especially after a tournament match. And the thing is that it shocked me to the point that I didn't even reply. I beat this guy 2-0 and instead of a handshake and "good games" it was, "black bitch." I'm not saying that every player is like this but I think some people need to think before they speak or don't speak at all. If I was younger I would have probably knocked him the [heck] out but that's not why I'm there. I'm there to play, to gain the experience. I'm there to learn and I shouldn't have to worry about being disrespected in that manner.
DMG|jason24cf: So I'm pretty sure you have heard a lot of heckling while you compete.
DMG|BurnYourBra: Let's just say I've heard enough, *laughs*. But, I know I will continue to hear rude comments. That's just how it is unfortunately. I just want people to understand that there is a difference between trash talking and being an asshole.
DMG|jason24cf: Very true, I can understand being salty after losing but saying some of the things you heard are not called for. That said how long have you been competing and has this always been an issue?
DMG|BurnYourBra: I've been competing on and off for a little over 10 years now in different games. In the beginning I wasn't really that known and I was okay with that fact because I looked at video games as more of a hobby and something fun to do. The scene where I was born and raised at was really tolerant and I knew and still know a lot of the players from there.
DMG|jason24cf: Another topic you had mentioned in your post was about "not having the look" could you go into that further?
DMG|BurnYourBra: I would love to *laughs*. Well, I don't feel that it was like this 10 years ago but there is what I call an “Asian Aesthetic” (as in meaning beautiful) in the fighting game community. There is almost an invisible rule in the way male gamers see female gamers in terms of looks. I've read and I have come across a lot of individuals who think because a certain person or persons are of Asian descent that they're automatically good. Now, I will admit, Japanese players are really good, that can't be denied. But when it comes in terms of females, it feels to me like it's almost a written rule that if you aren't Asian, and if you don't have the look that fits into this beauty hierarchy, then you're just not good. So, for me, I feel like it's a double standard that I really can't fight. I'm not Asian and I don't have the Asian Aesthetic look. I’m an African American female, so I am looked at as trash by some people. Also, it is a male dominated community, I know of a few girls who have told me they don't have "the look" or “don't fit that ideal.” This ideal shouldn't be used as a rule for females who want to play. So for me, and this is my own personal experience again, I want to be judged by my play. You can say that I suck. And I'm fine with that. But when you base it on my looks then that's when I have a problem. I'm not there to please the males at the tournament with looks. I'm there to play and to get better. Judge me on my play rather than on my looks.
DMG|jason24cf: Do you feel any kind of resentment towards those standards mentioned?
DMG|BurnYourBra: I do at times. For example, at EVO I went around asking for help from other top players. I didn't want anyone to hold my hand. I was just looking for players who were better than me to play against because I believe it'll only make you better as a player. That Saturday during the female tourney, guys were cheering against me. Now, that wouldn't really bug me so much but what I noticed after the fact was that every female I played against was Asian when I heard the chatter the loudest. Now I don’t know really what that was about but I can only assume. No one helped me when I went around and asked for help, so I had to wing it on my own. But months after EVO, I get people telling me they, “would have helped me.” Some of these people were the same people who didn't have the time to help me at EVO. So what's so difference now after the tournament that you couldn't help me before? That was the question I asked myself that bugs me the most.
DMG|jason24cf: Now the EVO you mentioned is the EVO were you placed 2nd in the female tournament, correct?
DMG|BurnYourBra: Yes.
DMG|jason24cf: Do you have any ill feelings toward the player who placed first?
DMG|BurnYourBra: No! Actually Kayane and I talked during and after EVO we even talk on Facebook till this day. I have nothing against her. She's just like me, trying to learn the game and doing her best to get good at it. I didn't like the atmosphere surrounding the tournament, though. I didn't like the favoritism but I guess it was expected. I really didn't like the group of guys standing off the stage when once they saw that I was going to play Kayane, they immediately began telling her about things I do when I play. Those players are the same players I asked for help during the tournament who refused to assist me. Instead they gave me some cheap excuse on why “they couldnt help me at the moment,” but instead they are helping my opponent. In a twist of fate I now am the one who gets coached before a match “smiling and confused” since then players want to help me more now than before. Looking back on that day's atmosphere I would say it was really bad. I guess I wasn't used to it because I've never been in the spotlight like that before. My reaction was to not care about it when I got onstage, it was more about having fun, and then to leave and go back to the way things were. But it'll never go back to the way things were. To me it was one of the worst moments I experienced but I think it's made me stronger in some ways.
DMG|jason24cf: Now we have played against one another many nights, and I always say "your one of the best SF players around" I don’t say your "USA best female player” because you place top 10 in tournaments against men so I view you as a player and not by a title of "Best Female player". How do you feel about the whole "best USA female player" title?
DMG|BurnYourBra: It's a stupid title, I never once said that “I was the best female USA player,” but it's been somewhat pushed on me, which drives these snakes from their burrows. I've been challenged by many female players, there is one in particular who pretty much lied about our casual matches, and she goes on telling everyone she's the real #1 and people need to stop calling me the “best USA female player” and that she'll see me at EVO 2011 *laughs*. I find the way people want to gain fame to their name to be rather entertaining. The title means nothing to me. But I guess the bright side of it is that it has brought out more females to start playing as well as to get better. Many of them I have played before and they all want to beat me because of that title. By all means you can have it. Again I don't go around saying I'm the #1 female SSF4 player in America. Again, it means nothing to me and it's nothing to brag about. I look at a female opponent is just like a male opponent. It’s an opponent any way you look at it.
DMG|jason24cf: And I have seen more female players playing and this is great thing to have more females gamers playing because they too have the same passion as male players. It should really be all about the competition and not the gender.
DMG|BurnYourBra: Yes, I like as well. Some females just need that push to get out there and compete, some are just afraid because they don't have the look or they don't think they're good enough. I tell them, “Everyone starts somewhere. No one is automatically born good at this game. It takes time to practice and dedication.” Females can have that drive, just like male players do. I mentioned this in another interview before; I had no one around to push me to play. I play because I wanted to. I loved fighting games. I love playing games in general. I don't wait around for guys to tell you what to do. Sometimes you have to make that leap yourself and go jump in there and get your hands dirty, get your ass handed to you, and learn.
DMG|jason24cf: Are there things you think that can be done that can better the fighting game community?
DMG|BurnYourBra: “Respect” is the strongest word that comes to mind. Respect your fellow player. Remember, they are human just like you. They [mess] up, just like you. They're learning, just like you. They might not be on "your level" but that doesn't mean they aren't worth the time.
DMG|jason24cf: That I feel is a big problem in the fighting game community, I get a lot messages on XBL or PSN saying, "You're a scrub, why are on DMG?" and things of that nature but I still on the other hand to be fair I also get a few “GGs” or your “Fei Long is really strong.”
DMG|BurnYourBra: Your Fei Long is strong! And what I like about you is that when we play and I think you're becoming frustrated you still keep playing and you try to figure out what you can do, instead of just giving up. It's something I need to work on myself. But online play is something else in its self *laughs*. I don't go on ranked matches at all anymore, unless I'm on my other account. It's like people think every match is a tournament when you're playing, which it's not. I haven't got any of the, "Why are you in DMG?" said to me online directly but some people have spoke their mind to me about it without really mentioning "DMG" which is fine. When I [mess] up in a match I wonder that myself too *laughs*. But now that I think about it, I have got a few. I should've recorded some of the messages I got in the past. Some of them were downright ridiculous, stupid, and some of the pictures sent to me were porno kind of pics *laughs*. But I guess that's what trolls and haters do.
DMG|jason24cf: I respect that you have so many obstacles in front of you that can easily break someone's will. You instead keep moving forward and that is an accomplishment in itself.
DMG|BurnYourBra: Thank you, and again, this is just my personal experiences. I'm not saying what I'm going through is the norm for every female that plays. This is just what I experienced and sometimes I leave the venue wondering why I'm even doing this at all. What people don't know about me is that I don’t sit in front of my Xbox and play for hours upon hours anymore. I have a life outside Street Fighter. I go to school, I write novels, and I have a huge garden in the backyard that I love to maintain. So this isn't a job for me but it is one priority that I have. If that makes sense?
DMG|jason24cf: Same goes for me. I want to play as many hours as I can to get stronger as a player but just like you I have a life outside of Street Fighter. I have a job, a family with two kids, so I understand where you’re coming from.
DMG|BurnYourBra: Yeah, and family is more important. An education in these dire times is more important. It's almost a necessity *laughs*. In the end we both play because we enjoy the game and we love to compete.
DMG|jason24cf: What are some fighting game community goals you have for yourself this year?
DMG|BurnYourBra: Well, besides getting better at SF and playing Arcade Edition, one of my goals was to get back into the Vs. games since Marvel vs. Capcom 1 was the last one I played and really liked. But I'm so-so about Marvel vs. Capcom 3, so I've turned my attention over to Mortal Kombat. I tried the demo, and I liked it, so I'm going to pick it up when it comes out and see if it's something worth competing in. I'm also looking at getting into Skullgirls and Street Fighter X Tekken when that comes out... maybe? As for majors... I'm going to CEO with my other DMG members, I'm hoping to make Top 36 (depending on how many people enter) Of course, I'll be at EVO so I hope I can make it close to making it out of the bracket. I don't think I will honestly make it out of my bracket but one can hope, right :-) Oh and I almost forgot about ECT3. Rico told me to go last year but I didn't so hopefully this year I can make it, but I don’t know yet.
DMG|jason24cf: Well as long as you put forward your best effort in all those events then you can walk away with no regrets.
DMG|BurnYourBra Yeah, that's the way I look at it as well. I usually have a goal and I try to make that goal. It has to be a realistic goal for me anyways.
DMG|jason24cf: I know you’re a busy person and all so I won't take up anymore of your time, do you have any final words or shout outs?
DMG|BurnYourBra: Shout outs to Jaleel and FocusAttackcom. He's doing a lot for the community and sometimes I feel he goes unnoticed. Plus he always gives me words of encouragement so thanks Jaleel! The Traveling Circus for sponsoring and believing in DMG and other gamers like Tokido, GamerBee and Toxy. They're really helping out the community as well. Also EventHubs.com for believing in us. And to all DMG players, thanks for actually helping me level up and not taking it easy on me. Also, to my boyfriend Al for being my eyes and ears as well holding my fight stick at tournaments. Lastly, thank you Jason for all your hard work you do for DMG and for going out of your way to help DMG get stronger. THANK YOU!
DMG|jason24cf: I want to thank BurnYourBra once again for this interview. I want to send a shout-out to all the female gamers around, a few that I would like to thank are as follows: Ashley "The Faro" of EmpireStategamer.com, April Martin for paybackgames.com, Candace of PDP, Kanaye and of course BurnYourBra. Stay tunned for more interviews here on Eventhubs.com as well as follow me on Twitter @jason24cf.
dont get salty because you lose to ladies...in more then one aspect of life probably ;). This is here so people understand keep the hate to a minimum.
@1: Shut the f*ck up and read. Maybe you'll gain some understanding. You're exactly the kind of douchebag she's talking about.
@2 Also shut the f*ck up and read. When I see/hear douchebags like you and #1 it makes me ashamed to be a male.
I think the scene just needs a few more pro girls in the spotlight, getting top 8 at evo or something. The womens tournament definitely helped with that but to get the full respect of the community it needs to be in generals. The community is still developing, give it time.
She's a really really good gamer, and I respect her. I'm just wondering why she always talks with "uncertainty." You know what I mean? She always says things like, "well I'm not sure, but" or "I'm not saying I'm the best, but." Just wondering. I wish I could play in a tourney with her.
@1 and @2 So she should not talk about a problem that's been affecting her at tournaments because she's a girl? You disgust me. She's getting racial slurs thrown at her and she's just supposed to shut up and take it? You should be ashamed of yourselves.
@2 racism dont exist so lets just sweep it under the carpet right? no one ever gets discriminated against because of their race. never happens. nope.
Sounds like guys don't hate on female players, they hate on you. When someone tells you you're a black bitch, you tell them to stay free.
Asian people are instantly good at games when they get born everybody knows that right? (ITS A JOKE PEOPLE)
Racist remarks cross the line and there isnt any denying that she is a great player.
However I dont think she is considered unattractive because of her race [barring bigoted folk], fact is that she is pretty overweight which is near universally seen as an unattractive quality.
But on a serious note, as a black gamer in the fighting game community, the racial insults are really crossing the line. Yeah you might have lost the game and might be mad about it, but you don't have to be racist about it. Oh and don't even get me started on XBL/PSN. I swear people think it is "okay" to be as racist as possible on there...
@16 Isn't chocoblanka asian though? Lol thats why no one trash talks her.
This chicks a gamer, a fighter gamer & I as a guy have to respect that because not many ladys love fighting games. What it is with guys is that they can't take losing & if they lose to a lady then to them its like they've had their manhood crushed so they lash out stupidly.
Call it white knighting, but props to BYB for being able to tough this bullsh!t out for so long. I'd have blown up a lot sooner.
Some people are intent on staying free forever, and I didn't see any names named up there, so I assume it was just some scrubby nobodies.
"If I was younger I would have probably knocked him the [heck] out but that's not why I'm there."
This tells me everything I need to know about her I'm afraid. Women who speak like this are, without exception, extremely disagreeable. This in no way justifies any racism, I should add.
I have the upmost respect for female gamers, long long time ago it was kind of unusual to find female gamers but they don't just exist in Fighting games they play FPS, they play all kinds of games and they are very good.
It's also worth noting that Female gamers potentially could be better than most males because the way they process things in their mind is far superior to us males which is why I think BYB is so good, she is actually trying to learn.
I do feel that if she was to be trained by major pros like jwong or Marn or whoever, she would be a force to be reckoned with. I hope she continues to become stronger, there ain't nothing i'd like to see more is to see a female gamer get top 8 at EVO.
@25
People may not talk about Daigo's looks, but they comment on Justin's and now Marn's all the time. Negatively, but it still matters. The male dominated comments on youtube and streams will never admit or say a man is good-looking, but they sure know how to declare a man ugly. It's the internet, people can say whatever the hell they want cuz they aren't operating under their real name. When it gets to RL like BYB's story, then it's no different than if they were stream monsters. I'd say its a dumb decision to express one's prejudices out loud, but the bad part is having them period.
Who cares if she's the definition of attractive or not?? 90% of the fighting game male community wouldn't fit into the definition of what's attractive for a male, either
@31
Im with you on that.. There are some train wrecks out their on the male side of gaming. They are our boys but man...... take some of the tourny winnings and go freshen up
Being from Houston but not active in the scene this is very disturbing and a shame for someone like myself who wants to enter the scene and see that girls are treated like this I have respect for any player overlooking gender because that is what's not important when it comes to a game skill is if I see a girl and she's badass I'll give her props and if she's not good I'll help her out same with any fellow male players like myself trying to learn and succeed.
There is only one factor that changes the way I act towards female gamers... and that's attractiveness.
If they are pretty, I let them win :)
But fugs get no respect out of me haha!
What a pussy. Literally. It doesn't matter if your a boy/girl, black/white/green/red or whatever. Whenever there's competition and especially in videogames which people view as fun, you're gonna get insulted. Of course it hurts sometimes, but taking it as a tongue in cheek should be part of the game.
Now, if its not during a tourney, thats a different story.
Meh idk if posts get deleted or all the white knights try to defend her. Or anyone for that matter. This is just the case for today. I just dont understand how people in this day and age are still hurt by simple words. Guess im just one to not really care when people cry about being made fun of or discriminated no matter what the word/slur. Just show em your better and an established human being because you dont let crap get to you lol. People can call me or shout at me whatever they like, i just dont get offended lol. As anyone should. People's pride is their weakness. I'd rather be confident and have self esteem, than try and draw attention to myself and get people to come to my side because someone decided to call me a racial slur. All in all the scene has changed drastically and will never be the same. Nowadays its more of the "Gaming Pissing Contest" than a community more often than none.
@36/@37 Good to know that both of you support racism and that to you racism is "tongue in cheek". The amount of ignorance and plain stupidity that both of you show amazes me. I thought more people had come to understand and accept that there's no room for racism but you've both shown me there's a long way to go.
blown away by how many people saying 'this is just the way it is...'
its that way until people take a stand and start doing something about bullsh-t like this. there should be a zero tolerance policy for racism and this kind of sh-t. accepting its a part of life don't help it you need to get up and make a change by not supporting or accepting garbage.
I am not so sure if the "they're just words" argument flies, especially when you talk about racism. When someone says: "You play like crap" that's trash talk and people should be able to take it. When you start with the N-word, and that type off stuff, I am certain you're not just trying to get under someone's skin, you want to insult, to hurt and that is not what trash talk is about,in my opinion.
Of course there also those who say "All is fair in love and war", but to them I say "Chill, man, in the end it's still just a game."
Your idea of what is right and wrong is at least compromised if you feel there is a place for racism in the fighting game community. This also applies to sexist behaviour, of course.
u notice deres a theme with the ppl cussing her out - dey always omitted part of her story - just pick one thing out and criticise
firstly - being racist is not like calling sum1 silly names - its beyond dat...its like showing hatred to their very hertiage or cos your minority - tbh u wud only understand once sum1 has done it to u - and @24 ur a MUG (yes im from London,UK) wen sum1 is racist to u its makes u wana knock dem out...
secondly - jus cos shes a gurl dont mean its cool to be sexist - female gamers shud be respected in the community and not segregated
thirdly - ppl commenting on her weight get a life - we all kno ppl who r overweight but dat dont get us the right to cuss dem out
im sure most of yall are just sum angry 14yrold kids anyway...
As a White, Black, Puerto-Rican, Native American (not joking) I find it hilarious when sh*t talking is at it's highest degree. Think Yipes. However, when it comes to racism or attacking a person for who they are merely for beating your a*s down is quite pathetic. Don't get me wrong, on PSN I absolutely LOVE being a racist prick because it's funny as f*ck to watch a person get so steamed when I am basically talking about my own people. A lot of the time it isn't anywhere near harsh, and I am also ONLY like that toward foes who are without a doubt spamming or using cheap bitch like methods in order to obtain an easy higher rank. It's just ridiculous but to make myself laugh, I blow up on them and call their dumb a*s out on everything I can because I don't know them, it's not personal and it's fun. I do not support anything BurnYourBra was against though as she is absolutely right.
There is no room for racism, at school, work, church why is a video game tourney any different? There's more trash talking in pro sports and sports in general, you think its okay to spew racial slur then?
No man, 37 is right.
As soon as someone offends you, just give them the u mad look and laugh it off. If they see they won't get to you they will eventually stop because it doesn't affect you in any way.
Racism is f'n idiotic and you shouldn't even let people who talk like that into your world, ignore them.
Still, I rather be insulted then getting suckerpunched in the face (Noel Brown).
I'm glad BurnYourBra did the interview about this subject. It's about time someone began to talk about this.
Personally, I feel like trash talking should be strictly about the game. Once it breaches beyond the game (i.e. referring to insulting people's race, gender religion, sexual orientation, etc.) I feel like it's no longer trash talking.
-JB
This is disgusting. To be descriminated against on the grounds of race is more than "just words" as some people are saying it to be. Its about the centuries of discrimination that are supposed to be over. I feel sick to the stomach reading this, as well as some of your responses. Using a persons race or gender as an insult is disgraceful and archaic. They should be bloody ashamed.
This all seems like an overall lost cause... Sadly. She has made her points and many can agree and understand but others will never. Every single person no matter what your overall persona may be online or in person... have a breaking point. May take some longer to get there than others but we all get there nonetheless. In public it may happen rather quicly.. As for online.. Since the masses, for the most part, are not seen, you can hide any frustrations you may have.. If any. Regardless what is being said whether you can stomach it or not... If people have a problem with it, it must be wrong... Things like this has always been around... And it does not seem it will ever leave. I mean in ways, you can try to think about it for a second... She is black, I guess overweight and plays video games.. And for some reasons she beats you. What exactly made her a b****? If you would have won... With that mindset, wouldn't that just make you one if you beat her? I mean most feel that she talking about that is a waste.. But I think if that is the case, then it is just as much of a waste explaining why you feel she is taking it too hard. words spoken here or anywhere have equal value in me opinion... and if you diagree, well then, you are a waste of time.
Racism is alive and well and I would gas a majority of you on this planet if I had the means.
I can tell a racist/bigot by just looking at them. And 1/2 of them are the same race as me!
I was wondering if Catalyst would be BOLD and use her "not so typical" face and OFCOURSE he didnt!
BurnYourBra is a complete joke. Let me tell you why.
First off, her skill is about that of an average gamer which is why she didn't place in the Top anything at Evo except for the Women's Invitational, which in itself, is very sexist because we didn't have an "All Male" tournament. Even their finals was best 2/3.
Also, she is a traitor, as after she had her little 5 minutes of fame she left long time group "Fight Nation EX" (FNEX) to join DMG.
Also, I'm working on an article that discusses female gamers. However, I feel that BurnYourBra is a bad example for the fact that she does let the fact she's a girl influence a lot of the way she talks to people. Me and her aren't on the best of terms, and she often did use the fact that she's a female as a sort of insult to try and damage my male "pride".
All-in-all, terrible person.
LOL @ 39 and the rest of pussies in here.
I'm Asian and I get insulted a lot during our tourneys and I don't waah waaah about it. Typical Americans always playing the race card. Even my closest friends insult the s**t out of me when we're playing, of course I insult the s**t out of them too. Its before and after the tourney that matters since you just hang out and chill about it.
If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Should take up competitive knitting or something, there's no trash talking there.
@55 You sound like one of those whiney ass "white nationalists" that post on stormfront.org about all the oppression and hardship that white people experience, and how there should be White Heritage month or White Cultural Centers on college campuses. Why are you threatened by an all female tournament? Insecure much bro? Does your masculinity feel threatened by a bunch of girls having their tournament in a community that is 99% sausage? This isn't some insidious man-hating conspiracy, it's a freaking tournament with like 4 girls in it. How the hell does that even affect you?
It's easy for us guys to become insensitive to the subject of sexsisim because it does'nt effect us in the same way as it does a woman, especially in gaming. Look at the female gamers in MLG and other gaming leagues. Most of the mare actually pretty atractive but even they worry that their judged by their looks and not their skills. It's somethng that effects all women.
What this really is about it seems is that she is under pressure. Pressure to perform better and it seems as if she is using her looks as an excuse because she is constantly compared to other female gamers who may be "attractive" by western standards.
First off, she is not bad looking, i've seen her and she is cute, yeah she ain't no model, but it's not like she is a bugga boo or something. I think she might have a self confidence issue, most women do. I promise you Kayane has it worst because she is already blessed with this "asian asthetic" as BYB describes. She is pretty and very talanted, thats more pressure than it is on BYB, at least BYB does'nt have to worry about how she dresses or how she looks, all she has to worry about is getting in there and kicking butt. Which leads me to my final point.
Also if I may add, some of you gusy cirticizing BYB could take some GQ tips yourself, I watch the streams too and damn!
BYB, sweetheart, just focus on your game, don't listen to these losers, keep playing and practicing, this is how you gain respect. if you focus on these retards who disrespect you, it will distract you from your goal of becoming the best. It's something Marn has learned long ago, he has accepted the fact people are not gonna respect him because of how he looks but look at him. He trains all the time and is one of the number one Street Fighter players and Marvel 3 players in the country. Focus on your game and level up, and when you win that Top Spot, you will gain that respect you want. But until then ignore it because half of the folks here probably could never compete at your level anyways.
LOL @ 57
You bringing up you're friends is irrelevant. They are you're friends so racial slurs are very unlikely to cause the type of pain that one would recieve from someone that you do not know.
Trash talking within the game is completely fine. As it is just that. Within the game. But why bring something like race into it? Despite the fact that it is still a touchy subject.
Some ignorant people on here. SMH
HAHAHAHAHAHA This is just a powder keg WAITING to explode... Interviewing a female, ok that's somewhat different. Chicks don't get too much mention in gaming as it is, but in fighting games I would go as far as to say they play that the second least out of all VG genres (after RTS's) But interviewing a BLACK girl? Methinks they wanted to flare people up. But hey, publicity is in fact everything and that's clearly what these "DMG" fellows wanted to do, same as any guild/clan/gaming group. Hats off to them for setting back political correctness about a decade and keep up the good work there Queen Kong. I swear, that's ALL blacks play, sports games and fighting games.
lol yall crazy....racism exists just deal with it......i just laugh at it.
seriously she just a girl and im sure most of u be just nervous haha i mean dont hate cause she a girl shoot id be just trying to compete or hit it hahaah
Losing a match to me means that I need to get better not bitter. I'd be lying if I said that people can't be cheap, but losing is gonna happen sometime in life and it really gets me down when people can't accept it. If you lose, people just grin and bear it.
I completely agree with what this girl was talking about in the interview.The community is very childish in that sense, I understand trash talking and messing around with people you know. But being talked to like that by some salty complete stranger, I'd smash his face in. Also all this separating females on another category is completely stupid and immature on part of tournament organizers, every tourney should be inter gender it's a VIDEO GAME. It's not a real physical sport where the male has some actual physical advantage. It's just a video game with a controller where both players are on equal ground and genders don't matter one bit.
I think its sad that this still happens, but maybe she can look at the bright side... if these dudes are saying those kinds of ignorant things its probably because she beat them badly. Men don't like to lose, and when they do, if they are weak minded they will attack the easiest or fastest target they can just to feel a little bigger. Race and gender are just easy targets for a cheap shot. It makes them look weaker though. Either way I say take it as a compliment... their remarks mean they couldn't take her heat.
Mad props BYB, but if you want to stop all the trash talking...just win. I'm black, 6'5, 210 lbs so I stand out.
For blacks to walk into a community dominated by smaller, socially challenged, introverted white/asian males is BOLD in itself, but if you aren't winning then ya gotta take the trash talking and racist remarks because that's just what they do. That's what all people do.
@70 That's a perfectly valid criticism. That's exactly what BYB is saying: criticize her playing skills all you want. She's there to play and her skills are fair game. Her race/gender are completely irrelevant.
Now if she had a giant sign above her head that said "DURR HURR I'M A GRRRRL GAMER" then that would be a different story and she'd be fair game.
I just don't think I can f***ing take reading stupidity on the internet any longer. If you are RACIST...if you are SEXIST...
PUT YOURSELF IN THE OTHER PERSON'S SHOES AND F***ING GROW UP ALREADY.
Seriously. How is this so hard? How has this been so hard throughout all of history? We need to understand one another...but is this going to happen? Will we eventually just learn to accept and care for each other no matter what they look like or what their circumstances are? Well, things aren't looking so good.
HATE
NEEDS
TO DIE.
I don't want to be 'that' guy, but why is there a female competition at EVO? Shouldn't everyone be playing in the same category?
(Not sure what 'the look' section was about, especially if she's got a BF.
I think it's less that there's an "asian archetype" and more of a "asians are usually naturally thinner/fitter than most other races". I mean tbh, ByB isn't that attractive, asian or not. Forgot who suggested it earlier in comments, but if she'd work on her bod a lil'...
But seriously, doesn't really matter. Most internet dudes want anime chicks who defy gravity anyway. And people make fun of Marn like crazy.)
Whilst there are genuine gripes to be had with calling people racist slurs, some of the stuff in there reads like a school yard quibble. What I'm getting at is the stuff where she says certain players wouldn't help her or that she doesn't fit a certain "aesthetic" as she puts it.
Without wanting to be harsh about it, if you are overweight, people will treat you a certain way. You cannot change people's minds or opinions, only your own so the onus is on you, in those kinds of situations, to overcome the problem you're faced with. Either diet, let the remarks slide off like water to a duck's back or just smack talk right back.
As for beinga woman or black, well you can never condone genuinely sexist or racist remarks. Not being a woman it is hard to relate to sexism, especially when it is so ingrained in our society and after speaking to some feminists (both the extreme and mild varities) there are a lot of things we take for granted as men whereas women have to work for them. I do it myself without even realising, I've often caught myself thinking about female gamers as "wow she's good, for a girl!". And that's just games.
If you can play a fighting game, you can get good at it.
So appearances mean nothing, it is all about the game-plan.
Though I bet a lot of the disrespect comes from self-insecurities.
And the only gender role that should exist is baby-making, everything else can be done by anyone no matter what sex.
@ShadowoftheDarkgod
You say that your friends talk trash about you during matches but outside the tourneys you guys hang out. You didn't get the point of burnyourbra, she got insulted by people who are not her friends, do you get it? Did you read this interview before calling people pussies or did you understand it?
Props to BurnYourBra for doing this interview. I agree, there needs to be more respect among players. Regardless of where we're from, what we look like, what color skin we have, what gender we are, etc: we are all members of the fighting game community, and our love for these games should bring everyone together instead of causing hate. I understand that there will be rivalries, and that's all good. But when all is said and done, after a match, there shouldn't be a reason why two players can't shake hands.
@55 RoktheReaper
This is a reply from BYB herself.
Rok, you're one of those people who just won't go away. Like a knat hovering . . .
I shouldn't even address you because wherever I go, you're there. But I find it completely hilarious that you post like you know me.
You posted that "she often did use the fact that she's a female as a sort of insult to try and damage my male "pride" Sorry if I threatened your male "pride" by winning our match. How about this. How about you drop it, and level up, I have. If I was "so average" at the time and beat you then what does that make you?
Instead of calling me a traitor, how about you get your information together and try to TROLL correctly.
Like you said in your post "Me and her aren't on the best of terms"
You're right. We aren't.
Seriously, you've had your troll time Rok. I've fed you for too long.
I still find it amazing to read post from people who try to play off there comment like as if its a joke. I thank you for taking the time to read the interview but leave your immature comments to yourself. These are real issues that she deals with. And still I see post about her "looks" and things of that nature and its the same point she is trying to make.
Open your mind already and grow up people
I do agree 100% with BurnYouBra in terms of guys being douche bags and no reason she should be exposed to racism but that's the culture the internet has bread. People are actually starting to act like azhos outside of there basement now but because others who they are interacting with are basement dwellers as well they don't realize that the ideal thing to do is punch that Jerk in the face. Silly children..
Only problem I have with her is this situation where she is seemingly playing up the victim role, not sure though. This is 2011 and 2010 when these incidents at EVO. She could have spoken up then and have players called out. As for the Asian aesthetic comments, I don't think it was because of that because she isn't aesthetic pleasing to my eyes. I can get down "It's BS that no one will help me because I'm not a hot girl" but saying that you are not being helped because you are not a hot Asian girl is prejudice on the same level that people are doing to you.
@Endgame No they can't. A father can't raise girl with the same sensibility and understand that a mother can and vice versa. It's a paradox, I know somehow we all want to be the same but we can't want to be same while trying to retain our individuality. Rather than trying to treat everyone the same, just be accepting. I could go into biological things that women can do that men CAN'T and not just baby birthing and breast feeding obviously but things like higher resistance to stress, higher tolerance for pain and other hormonal based things they can do because of Estrogen, something we DON'T Have. Take a moment and look for studies, interesting stuff. Anyway fundamentally we are both built different and that's ok because there needs to be that duality in child rearing and dealing with day to day situations for example, this is what my chick and I do as parents.
What we need isn't the ability to treat everyone the same but the understanding behind that so situations like the one BYB is going through doesn't existing anymore. But saying well women or men can do everything that the other can do, is a bit naive and unrealistic and when those expectations are met by the one who is making them.. Well then you have convoluted situations like BYBs where she is 100% right about being treated unfairly and racism but then goes off the deep end by saying "That's because I'm not an asian girl!" all I can do is stare and be like "Really?"
Then again when dealing with little kids can't get mad when you realized they peed the bed..
Dear Eventhubs,
Please stop posting community issue blogs- all it does is get the forums infested in a flame war against hateful comments- which are in turn... hateful (this cycle could be avoided, if you guys would just leave these blogs to their location of origin and people can seek them out if they choose to do so).
Keep your yoga
I love being able to pick out all of the comments on here made by people that clearly didn't read the whole thing before they scrolled right down to the comment box to say something stupid without using their brains.
She's not addressing trash talking, she says she's completely fine with it, you morons. She's addressing the fact that trash talk turns into sexism and racism as opposed to harmless insults based on her skill. THAT kind of trash talk doesn't belong in the fighting game community, online or off. She's not asking you to like her, she's not looking for your praise, she just doesn't want you insulting her based on her gender or race.
It's really not that hard of a thing to grasp, but some of the usual commenters on this site aren't exactly the brightest bunch, so I really shouldn't be surprised.
It dont matter about your gender just your skills and there is nothing shameful about having your arse handed to you by a woman.
I played a girl last night on SSF4 and she was really good we were around the same skill level but I didnt dismiss me as being superior because im male. She kicked my arse with a lot of skill but I learned from her and by the 5th match we were pretty much equal. I didnt know she was a girl til after the matches.
Proof there that females are just as good as males.
Of course you get arseholes like #1 and #2 but hey not everyone can be mature and accept their defeat.
Pfft, yeah. Let someone call me a "N" word to my face and see if they don't lose 90% of their teeth. They probably say it to this girl because she's a woman and don't think she'll do anything about it.
There's a reason there's a lot of racist talk on PSN/XBL, simply because online anonymity allows pansies to say things they'd never get away with in real life.
And I thought most of the fighting game community was pathetic before.... wow...
Must be coincidence that AllisFighter put up a very similar article http://allisfighter.com/news/newspost... must be respect day for the fighting game community.
And real talk, most of the male gamers are undateable, socially inept and ugly as all hell, like beyond help ugly, so I dunno why they're hating on this broad. Even if she's unattractive, she probably wouldn't mess with any of these losers on her worst day.
Trash talk is fine, but racist talk crosses the line. Funny when I walk on the street I never hear racist talk (I probably walk by the same online racists everyday), but online people grow the biggest set of balls. Pussies.
And anyone who supports the racism, come to Toronto and I'll meet up with you. Let's see how much racist talk you have in person.
A recent interview of her: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oczA3L...
Her gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OkJrI...
Insulting someone's skill at game, fair enough.
Insulting someone's gender/sexuality/race over a computer game... well expect to get punched in the face. Hype or no hype, I wouldn't put up with that.
Theres just so much pride in the fighting game community. A lot of guys think they should be able to beat a girl just because they are a girl. Doesnt matter how good or bad they actually are. Xbox live scrubs who cap out at 1500 bp probably think they should beat burnyourbra or kayane or choco. Its pretty ridiculous.
@72 But what does her name say about her? I don't even think most people here know where the term "burn your bra" comes from. the name is obviously personal to her, I doubt it's some undisclosed attempt to direct attention to her and even if it did, why would that be a legitiment reason for anyone to say disrespectful and hateful things to her?
If someone who is Gay "played the part" and made it obvious he was Gay, do you think it's right to say hateful gay comments to them just because he is overtly expressing himself?
You always have a choice to say something, does'nt matter how you feel about someone, you can choose NOT to say things out of respect. If you can't do that then you are wrong and have a serious problem. If that person has not done anything to you to hurt you personally, you simply have no right to attack her. End of story.
She is a woman and as a woman it's twice as hard to earn respect as a pro gamer than it is a man. It's the way of the world. We should'nt be arguing her point, we should be embracing it, improve our standards in the community and let people know this is'nt right.
I think a good example of this is the "Broly" guy. he has a serious condition that he has overcame through hard work and dedication. I promise you if anyone said one, I mean one thing bad about him, everyone would demonize that person till he had to go into hiding, but because this is just a woman, an african american woman, she's automatically an exception? Cmon. It's time for this community to grow up.
Dude, though I will say that her handle may be slightly incendiary (heh heh), people just need to stop being douchebags. Sometimes, the answer is a punch in the face, sometimes it isn't. But, unless people start seeing some consequences for acting that way, then they're just going to keep on doing it.
Stay classy, people. I sometimes think that even trash talk can get a little stupid. But, to make racist and sexist comments on top of that? Grow the **** up, huh?
Interesting... I went into a room yesterday and I beat everyone in the with my chris redfield...I was called the N-word left and right. I didn't even have my mic on at the time...Sad really. Racism is still prevalent, and very overt in this country. Now, it is the go to insult with online gaming...
Yeah, hey, hi. I just want to say just because one person did something bad now ALL of the community is a bunch of a-holes. Have you seen how nice some of the people are in Wednesday Night Fights?
And if anything, they should be upset about the racial remarks, not that she's a girl.
You're dealing with a community of video game players. That means a majority of the people are immature, pre-pubescent shut ins who don't even have basic social skills let alone the social ability to talk to females. The only response they could possibly have would be derived from her appearance and her gender because that's how simple minded scrubs think when they get salty. From the looks of #94's video, she has solid enough game play to punish people who make mistakes. Those are usually the scrubs who don't have a chance of placing anyways and the same people who take saltiness to another level when they lose to someone they don't think is worth losing to.
Either way, this is not just synonymous with the Fighting Game community; it's prevalent in all aspects of the video game community. I was a PC gamer and females there didn't receive any preferential treatment unless they posted some pictures of how they looked and people thought they passed as attractive. The bottom line is the video game community itself is filled with pathetic scrubs who lack social skills and use the internet to hide their true ineptitude.
Before someone rages, I realize there are a minority of people who are not only respectful but helpful in furthering the video game community. The sad part is that you are the minority whether you like to think so are not. For every one person who is willing to help and act in a respectable manner, there are 10 stream monsters and pathetic trolls looking to get their 5 minutes of fame; and the only way they know how to do that is by being abrasive and ignorant in a small attempt to create some form of ill conceived humor for their peers.
Cant we all just get along?
People talk smack to throw you off your game, now that people know you dont like being called certain names, they will probably do it even more to get you off your game.
Peace in the Middle East.
Do we really even need to make the competitions separate? Why cant everyone just compete together, theres no point in separating girls from guys cause we are all playing the same game.
And some of the stories she told are ridiculous, players should not act like that. What happened to respect for the game? Just shake the hand and move on
Reading through this female gamer's experiences at tournaments have disgusted me throughly. It just proves that the grand majority of fighting game competitors are spiteful virgins who lash out their frustrations of being epic failures in real life toward girls (because their possibilities of getting laid at all are next to none). What they perceive as a threat to their veil of self-aggrandizing, self-imposed loserdom is vagina.
My advice for females is that they may need to detach themselves from this subculture of acne-ridden, underweight/obese, socially depraved, sunlight-phobic, friendless virgin retards. More power to them to female players such as BurnYourBra if they continue to put up with the disrespectful BS of losers who aren't worth a damn at all.
Throwing insults is apart of all aspects of life, not just video games. It is SO prevalent because it comes from real life, not the other way around.
There was a guy on my wrestling team that wasn't so good. You know he has to face a girl and once he lost, he quit the team because people made fun of him? It's not seen as "cool" in the US to be losing to a women in anything, period. Especially when you're pride is online, a tournament is not like online play where nothing is on the line, it may as well be a sport.
The only way for things to not be like this is for people to have a mind that goes beyond it and to focus on what really matters, like the type of mind I have. When I see an opponent, I just see someone I need to defeat, regardless of who it is. I once read that people focus on the negative aspects of a situation 5x more than the positives, which I think factors into this.
But there is a philosophic Ryu follows that is the embodiment of SF itself. It's not about winning or losing, it's about the journey to grow and develop.
Then don't forget something Sagat says or close to: The strongest fighter is not one who always wins, but who stands up after defeat.
When people are under pressure, I think they are more likely to let out racist or slurring remarks because they feel it's pathetic to lose to someone lesser or a "woman."
But SF is not about gender or race, it is about the spirit of competition and fun. People should focus on learning, not hype and pride. This is why the Japanese scene is superior to the US, skill is only half the battle (the other is attitude).
@107
I didn't give the location on where this happened.
It was a tournament in Dallas, not Houston. I never said I went to a tournament in Houston because I haven't.
You should probably read more carefully before assuming.
Again, I'm not asking for anyone's sympathy. Again, I don't care if you trash talk and you don't like me. I don't care if you don't like the way I play. That's your opinion. That doesn't bother me. Again TRASH TALK DOESN'T BOTHER ME
BUT
if you disrespect me because of my race, then I have a problem. THAT'S WHAT BOTHERS ME.
(First Marn, now BurnYourBra.
Wonder who else is gonna make a surprise guest appearance on Eventhubs in the future?)
The amount of stupidity in some of the comments here is astonishing.
No matter how hard some of you guys try to rationalize it, discriminating people for his/her looks, gender, race, religion, sexual preference, etc. is NOT right and should NEVER be tolerated. Period. Is that so hard to understand?
For all of you slow learners, ask yourself this. If you went to a restaurant, a store, a bar or any other place and a couple of schmucks that you don't even know started insulting you because of your looks/race/gender/religion, what would you do? would you just walk away pretending nothing happened? and what if the one insulted were a person you care about, your parents, sisters/brothers, gf/bf? how would you feel? So why the hell do you think it's ok to do it at a freaking video game tournament?
@110
you spend allot of alone time with porn and lotion,there are some female gamers who are highly attractive.
It's sad,as I scroll down the 100+ post,a majority of the people didn't read all of the article and missed the fact she said its the rude racist comments that get to her not "TRASH TALKING".
@Burnyourbra
Imagine a world with no discrimination towards race, gender and religion.
That world does not exist.
Humans have evolved this way throughout history. All conflicts in the world are based around intolerance and greed breed from pride.
This has been a huge problem specifically in Europe and America across centuries.
If I were to give you advice. It would be to speak your mind, you did a great job here. But your arguments are a little too generalizing in some aspects. You are assuming things due to your own experiences, while thats generally how all humans think, its only when you can look from a third perspective that you can find a real solution.
Good luck and play hard!
@ Burn your bra it would have helped if you corrected the guy he said Houston that's why if you told him Dallas it would have helped which is what Stubbs was speaking about. I understand you said it was the last tournament but the second a place is mentioned said place gets a bad rep but I understand this wasn't you this was Jason.
Curious to which state you hail from BYB?
@ Stubbs PSN or 360.
The thing is trash talking is understandable but pride gets in the way emotions saltiness etc that they feel the need to just take it a step further especially if you don't know that person that's messed up. That's all I can really say since I havent been out there in the gaming community not because I don't want to but because I don't have the time to.
DMG|BurnYourBra: I would love to *laughs*. Well, I don't feel that it was like this 10 years ago but there is what I call an “Asian Aesthetic” (as in meaning beautiful) in the fighting game community.
Isn't it weird that the person saying "Racism" says racists things too?
Beauty has nothing to do with being Asian.
Shawdowofdarkgod is tripping that racist poop is stupid. Yeah I can see if they your boys that is different. Let a random dumb ass call me the N word and it is on. I know burn she is a cool person. There would be no race card(crap is a made up term from "in living color)if folks was not so obsessed about it. I don't blame byb for leaving FNEX most of them don't even show up to tourneys outside of Sikwidit and a couple of others. Do disrespect to FNEX. I like Darkknight and them.
@120 She is right look at how they drool over the Asian women on srk(nothing wrong with that) but hell most of them was saying Kayopolice was good looking and we know how that turned out. There is nothing racist in what she stated because it is true.
The racial/sexual slurs are uncalled for. Players do get salty, but it should never go that far. I love girl gamers and wish more would jump into the competitive scene of the gaming world. I'm still looking to get one into my clan, SHFC, because I've seen some good girl gamers online. Does anyone know some other than Burnyourbra and Kayane?
@127 It's so sad but it's so true. Played with many females in games from DoTA, HoN, QuakeLive, Counter Strike and WarCraft III and as soon as they speak on voice com or in ventrilo there is automatically some double standard that takes place. It's like these immature little boys don't know how to act around a female so when one shows up on the internet they go crazy because they are protected by their shroud of anonymity. Really it's just pathetic, but it's not going to change because those same people are the ones who will be living in their mother's basement 20 years from now, still playing video games and still not having experienced the touch of a women.
Props to BurnYourBra. What she speaks is truth and I've seen it time and time again with other female gamers I know, offline and especially online.
As for those jackasses who think that being racist & sexist is acceptable for being salty, know that sh!t like that is unacceptable under any situation. Everyone talks trash, but if you can't be clever and have to resort to prejudices just because you lost a game, you are the sh!ttiest kind of person.
Good players come from all walks of life, not just what simple-minded f*cks expect in their one-dimensional point-of-view. Grow up.
@36/37
STFU you think it's nothing because you never get none of those slurs thrown your way probably. You can insult people all you want, but you do NOT get to attack them on a personal level. It is not all in the game when those slurs come about, not to mention that most of those guys wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight, but all of a sudden these pansies got nerve to get fresh with a girl, bad form any way you look at it.
This is how I view and deal with situations like this:
If you're in the wilderness and a wild animal attacks you, you defend yourself so that you don't get hurt. However, you don't hold a grudge or malice towards it because you know that the animal is acting on instinct and is just doing what wild animals do.
Now apply that situation to everyday life. It's sad to say, but all humans are not on the same level of evolution. Some are more evolved than others( in terms of mindset, consciousness) Some humans, in fact many humans are still on a mindset close to animals and unfortunately may not change or evolve their consciousness simply because they just don't get it or are too ignorant to see the big picture.
As such, all you could really do is treat them like wild animals.. Understand that they may attack you for whatever reason but it's a waste of time and energy to hold a grudge against them because the moment you do, you sink to their level of animalistic behaviour and consciousness.
The only thing left to do is accept that these situations exist and move on with your life. Now, I'm not saying that people in general can't change and evolve. With BurnYourBra speaking out, it will help to some degree with some people. However, there will always be those people that simply never get it for whatever reason, and you just have to accept that fact and move on.
Transcend your ego and life becomes paradise.
I could only feel sorry for the people who feel its ok to use racist or sexist slurs as a form of exspression. There cleary is something wrong with you if you feel this way. Please people read over the interview again and pay close attention. A lot of your post about what she had to say can all be avoided. IF your just in the mood to troll then so be it. Your post will stick out like a elephant in a room.
In the end a troll will do what ever it takes to gain the attention of others.
"If I was younger I would have probably knocked him the [heck] out "
With a name like burnyourbra and an attitude like that is she really surprised that she gets treated that way? I mean Really?
She has a stereotypical name and a stereotypical attitude. Yet finds it surprising when she's stereotyped?
Her making excuses to coming second in the female tournament also shows bad sportsmanship. She never once said that kayane played really well, Or she played
better then she did, Which she obviously she did otherwise she wouldn't have won. Talk about salty.
Verbal abuse is only abuse if you let it be, If you chose to take it on board. It only effects you as much as you let it. As opposed to actual abuse 'physical' which is a smidget harder to ignore, How are you going to just ignore physical abuse if someone just walks up to you and punches you in the face? or something stupid like that? That's the major difference. I don't have any sympathy for her because she hasn't been through anything, She isn't a victim of ANYTHING substantial.
Sweaty so if somebody called you a black b*tch you would do nothing. Did you not read that she said she would have clocked him if she was younger. That is not stereotypical she is in her rights to slap the taste out of dudes mouth. At least she did not almost get into a fight like the two Asian girls at EVO. Marinate on that for a minute.
EVO's founder Tom Cannon responded to an inquiry from Kotaku about BurnYourBra's experience:
EVO has always had a zero tolerance policy toward any kind of harassment at our events: racial, sexual, or otherwise. I personally take this very seriously, which is why I took the time to watch nearly all of our 2010 women's event. What I saw was a lot of gamers cheering on our women competitors in ways that were sometimes heated, but nothing even close to the kinds of behavior that BurnYourBra talks about in the interview.
I have no doubt that everything BurnYourBra says is true. But to my knowledge the name calling and harassment that she talks about did not happen at EVO. If you read the interview, BurnYourBra's only complaint about what happened *at EVO* was that players didn't want to help her out, and expressed a bias for the Asian women players. That's disappointing behavior to be sure, but it clearly isn't harassment. There are dozens of big fighting game tournaments every year, and unfortunately it does not surprise me that there would be bad behavior at some of these events.
To be absolutely clear, to my knowledge there was NO harassment of our women players at EVO, and we do not tolerate any behavior that engenders a hostile environment for any our attendees. If any EVO staff had heard comments like "black bitch" or "gorilla," or if such incidents were reported and confirmed to us, the offending player would be immediately removed from the event. This is not hypothetical. We have enforced this rule in years past after some racist remarks and trash-talking that bordered on threats to players.
But because EVO is just one of many fighting game events that take place every year, it's not enough for us to enforce good behavior at EVO if players are harassed elsewhere. That's why we're working harder than anyone else to stomp out this kind of behavior, in part by promoting women players. EVO 2010 was the first big fighting game tournament to actually feature the women players and put up significant prize money to encourage more women to enter the game.
How does her being younger make her more equipped to take on a fully grown man? Unless she is one of those women who expects to be able to slap a man and physically assault him and not have him retaliate.
#141 She had a nice attitude to it all though. She stayed calm and nice without calling out names or swearing, but still talked about everything.
Damn, if you're a guy and you loose to a girl, don't be a little bit** about it and use race or looks as a way to protect your feelings. It bothers me people like these even exist sometimes lol. I know you sometimes feel the need to defend yourself or say something when you're pissed, but this is a bit to much.
Not saying I believe her a 100%, but I doubt this was made up as well.
No she doesn't have a nice attitude. She didn't even say that she was outplayed in the females tournament she just made up a whole bunch of excuses. Come on. That isn't bad sportsmanship?
This article was really horrible to read. Im disgusted that people at tournaments acts like this. The racist and sexist comments were totally uncalled for. If you read this, just ignore the comments and just beat them.
@ 149
I doubt she made it up it has to be real, proof? The female bracket at EVO. What's the point of a female bracket? It's a VIDEO GAME!!! It's not a real sport where there's physical advantage. Everyone plays with a controller, so everyone's at an even play field. The fact that tournament organizers make a separate bracket and division just for females shows how immature and ignorant they are towards the situation.
"She said that if she was younger, she'd have clocked them! SHE MUST BE SOME ANGRY WILD NEGRESS NO KIDDING SHE HAD IT COMING"
I forgot how idiotic this community can be sometimes
wow this honestly sounds made up a female fighter? LOLOLOLOL
Personally I don't find her difficulties really that great. It's just how it goes, you win people will be salty some are saltier than others, and will say negative comments. Just ignore it. Complaining that Asians females never get insulted, or get all the attention sounds just as racist as black bitch. Also the whole look thing she is talking about, is also a lame excuse. It's true you didn't go there to look pretty, and please the boys. But if you don't make an attempt at making yourself look attractive, you can't complain about males fawning over someone who did take the time to do so. That sounds more like Jealousy then a legit complaint.
Maybe I'm being too harsh, but she needs to learn to accept insults, and no one has to help her if they don't want too. If she want's respect for her game play. Then thats all she needs to concentrate on, I guarantee you if she focuses solely on that, then simple salty players, or how more girls that have looks get attention she will earn her respect.
@#159
It isn't so much that she needs to accept that, but deal with it as any mature person should. Everyone will be called names in their life time. You may not like it, but you should be able to ignore it. If every time someone called me a name I beat the crap out of them, this just being an example I'd be thrown in jail. Letting a person get to you, isn't how you should go about it Ignoreing it is the best option. And ESPECIALLY if it's over a video game. You don't have to like them, but until they touch you/ do something worthy of a proper retaliation pay them no mind.
@160
+1. I'm laughing so hard at the white knights at this thread. Also I really don't care what other people say to me, f*** it, I don't know them, why get butthurt over their insults. I feel so sorry for you guys when you grow up to the real world. Getting hurt over words LOL, yeah play the race card, that's nice.
Play with mutes or take up competitive knitting, no insults over there.
I just read the article and it was a great read. Its sad to see someone going though that...however I have a even futher comment to make.
I honestly dont think that people undrestand not only how hard it can be to be black even on the internet.
Its sad to see that she gets comments like that to her face, but honestly comments like that are all over the net, specially on boards and forums. As DMG|jason24cf said, I thought we were past all that, and like burn your bra said, I guess we arent.
Half those guys who said that just said it to a girls face just because they figured she wouldnt beat their ass, but sadly that kind of language is all over the net when it comes to black people.
Oh well, thats just my 2 cents, not like anyone reads my comments anyway zzz
I can understand in terms of stupid messages you get online. It's true there are infinite types of people out there. What I meant was people with all kinds of personality. People will talk trash no matter if they lose or win. I just don't get it. I can have close matches with this one player and I'll win the majority of them. Once I decide to kick him off my lobby, this person sends trash messages about how I'm scared to play him, etc. Some people will manage to still send the same message to me even when I destroyed them in the previous matches. Sometimes when I get destroyed by my opponent, I feel salty so I kick them off. Again, here comes the messages. Call me salty all you want, I'm here to have fun. When I'm not having fun, you're not playing me anymore. It's not the case of me winning or losing, it's the point of me having fun. Period. Apparently, some people take it personally. For me, I just play to have fun or waste some time. I don't message anyone unless I know this person personally. Even if it was a lot of good games with some stranger, I still won't message him soley the fact I don't care. I played, I had fun, lets move on.
I'm not sure if this is a wide spread problem, but she gets mad respect for not being afraid to talk about some of the issues she, herself, has dealt with. If you're black/female and you participate in anything that requires you to compete against others, and you do so regularly, your bound to come across a few prejudice/racist pricks.
She sounds like a dope person.
@#163:
That's only reason why there are so many talkers online and trash talking towards this female player. People hide behind their monitor, be an a-hole and don't have to worry about reprecussions. Same goes towards this female players. People are simply taking video gaming WAY TOO seriously. They take it to the level where they can't be satisfied until they say some stupid junk regardless if they won or lost. I personally don't play rank matches anymore simply because the majority of these people I explained above are on there. They play like their life depends on it and bite your head off with their inmature comments.
I respect that lady. It's bad enough being a male gamer in SF :S. When I play street fighter it's like I a crazy wierdo for playing as much as an half an hour a week, and at the same time, the net would call me a scrub if I played online.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. All I want to do is have fun playing a game I like. That girl shouldn't be judge on gender or skin or even playing ability. Just let her enjoy the game.
This bothered me to an extreme. If I ever went to a tournament and got called anything like "black bitch" I'd beat the hell out of that person. I wouldn't care if I'm disqualified, kicked out of the tourny, etc. As long as they have some sense beat into them. I would tell them that, "they are the worst of the worst and that by saying stupid s**t like that, they are condoning everything in the world that has to deal with racism. Especially to me."
Any type of rascist remarks is basically saying, "you are nothing, you'll never amount to anything, and you are a lesser species to me." And it really is sad that people are like this in the world still.
Doesn't matter if there is just trash talking. People should learn how to respect each other. Tell the other person good game and go on with life. Really people should know better than to talk like this if they were raised with any type of respect.
Personally I don't care about the aspect of the whole woman and gaming. It is kinda sad that girls aren't put into the same category as men.
guys like that are gay and stupid we need more girls in fighting places theres to much dickheads if you know what i mean and thats why i don't go to tournaments i can handle the trash talk but if you in my face am going to fk u up thats how it is go on youtube u see what i mean other then that tournaments are the best
Lmao at the first two comments being deleted. Not too surprised there. I'm a guy myself, and there's I really think there's so much detest towards female gamers. Heck, it's not just limited to female gamers, but I find I get a lot of hatemail when I win with female characters in any fighting game. It's the female gender there's so much detest against. I'd really honestly like to see a lot of females in the future stepping up and showing us that they can dominate at games too by showing up in more tourneys.
Read about 50 comments and decided to weigh in on this stuff.
I feel like "racism' is in kind of a funny place right now. How many of the people on here saying "Racism is disgusting. No room for racism here. You should be ashamed of tolerating any degree of racism! Racism is 'tongue in cheek'? You are an idiot." How many of those people laugh at the Chapelle Show?
I think white people have a lot of guilt toward racism, and they feel the need to "make it right" and "apologize" for things they themselves have not even done. White people have outrage for racism that doesn't even affect them directly. Why? Just a thought. I am aware of both sides of the argument related to that, but the fact is that there are two sides to the argument.
I don't think she deserved to be called out on her race or appearance. People say "gamers get salty" and that stuff like that just happens. Put regulations in place! If someone gets THAT salty, they should be DQ'd. These tournaments and majors are getting pretty big; regulation needs to be put in place, and sportsmanship should be part of that.
I don't care that she was a girl, or she was black, or she was overweight. You're collectively competing for one goal, you DO need to have respect. If it was soccer, or football, or tennis, or anything else and the loser said something like that they would get a black card.
Racism is almost "in the past". It's a joke, or tongue in cheek, because it seems almost ridiculous to a modern society. If you call someone gay nowadays in an inflammatory manner, it is very likely they won't be legitimately upset, but this wasn't always the case. Joking is one thing, but flaming is another, and neither has any place in a legitimized sporting event, or an organized, friendly tournament.
Gamers should keep the salt to themselves.
This article shoulda been about the difficulties of being a black gamer.
Skill is skill even if you are a girl You win with practice BYB has shown she can play. She can probably beat the stuffing out of most players. I don't agree with her asian comment though because that is racist in itself "the pot calling the kettle black". What people need to remember is that Street fighter is a VIDEO GAME it's not real it's for fun if your not having fun maybe you shouldn't be playing.
Also America is a sexist country. that fact that there is a female tourney implies that women don't have the physicall prowess to handle a "real" (male) tourney. This goes for sports as well. Most male gamer see girls as Boobs walking and I hate I f**king HATE when a guy loses on pupose to a woman that's showing that you let a girl walk all over you because she's pretty.
On that subject "beautiful" or "hot" women are people to they eat, s**t, fart and burp just like the rest of human kind, beauty fades over time so...
as with the racism all that's been said has been unforunatley it will always be there because people aren't as smart as we all hope.
Things like this are the reason male gamers go gaga over females
http://stars.ign.com/articles/115/115...
Like a person for who they are, what they can do not how they look because looks are not helpful in any way
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