[OOC] Uncaring Stars, The next game of the Deep Black Sea campaign (SR5) Options

[SquirrelDude]

I would actually interpret both uses as racism, even recognizing that it can be used as a slang term. It's actually not the first time I've referred to a European person (technically they're just British, now) refer and explain it as such. They're both just racism.

Not sure how Sharkboy would react to it, considering he's been in wrestling locker rooms which can be pretty toxic places but also he's a changeling and might feel solidarity with other targets of discrimination.

For myself, I'll just say: Can we not have characters use racial slurs? Can we just not?

[Gilga]

I must admit that I have no idea what racial slurs you guys are talking about.

[SquirrelDude]

"Yeah, as I said, I'd be a chink of a decker if I would lose you in a fully operated semi-public building in the Sixth World. We'll do fine"

[Volker]

@gilga "chink" is a derogative term for Asian people, especially Chinese. It refers to their distinctive eye shape.

@Squirrel Of course it is still racist. What I wrote is that bnc wouldn't perceive it as being racist. No more than most people perceive "All men are created equal" as sexist. It's really a continuum and not a line. Some argue that "blacklist" is racist, as is a master/slave relationship when slaving a device to a master.

bnc wouldn't perceive herself as racist, but she is hardly aware of the problem (well, she is aware of metatype racism, but not of ethnical racism, that is). If that is something that offends you, of course I can just refrain from stuff like this (although, it would stretch too far not to use master/slave anymore, as for her, it's just a technical term without any racist implications. That level of awareness would stretch her character quite a bit. But I would do it if you insist).

How do you feel about things like bnc referring to Sharkboy as "sushi man" or plainly "freak"? On the one hand, this are prime examples of racism, on the other hand I believe it's an important element of roleplay (especially if you play a changeling).

As for Sharkboy ... I think that depends a whole lot about his active awareness of the problem (and suffering from it and awareness about it are two different things entirely). Historically, discriminated groups often showed the absolute opposite of solidarity, as it gave them some pause from persecution. Of course, nowadays it's more complex as social awareness and also social connections increase and discriminated groups start to bond. In a harsh environment and under hard pressure, however, people usually tend to care for themselves and their likes first and foremost, and everything else comes very late after that. That is how I perceive it, at least.

[SquirrelDude]

@gilga "chink" is a derogative term for Asian people, especially Chinese. It refers to their distinctive eye shape.

@Squirrel Of course it is still racist. What I wrote is that bnc wouldn't perceive it as being racist. No more than most people perceive "All men are created equal" as sexist. It's really a continuum and not a line. Some argue that "blacklist" is racist, as is a master/slave relationship when slaving a device to a master.

bnc wouldn't perceive herself as racist, but she is hardly aware of the problem (well, she is aware of metatype racism, but not of ethnical racism, that is). If that is something that offends you, of course I can just refrain from stuff like this (although, it would stretch too far not to use master/slave anymore, as for her, it's just a technical term without any racist implications. That level of awareness would stretch her character quite a bit. But I would do it if you insist).

How do you feel about things like bnc referring to Sharkboy as "sushi man" or plainly "freak"? On the one hand, this are prime examples of racism, on the other hand I believe it's an important element of roleplay (especially if you play a changeling).

I do not think the phrase has any narrative value within the current context. The use of the phrase fails to illuminate anything about bnc we do not already know. It's already been demonstrated countless other times and other ways that she is absentmindedly cruel. I don't think it's endemic to the setting's mechanics in the way the "slaving a device" is.

I don't think they're in the same category as language used against Sharkboy. Changelings are unlikely to ever be anything beyond an allegory to real world discrimination. There is no actual person who can be harmed by the use of "sushi man". "Freak" is too generic to be uniquely harmful.

Obviously Sharkboy has somewhat embraced that part of himself in his character, though that's also a choice I made because of mainstream wrestling's history of reliance on racist/problematic gimmicks. As previously stated, I'm still unsure how Sharkboy would handle it. I think it relies on a deeper understanding of how he was raised and discriminated against in the past, which I have not put significant thought into.

As for Sharkboy ... I think that depends a whole lot about his active awareness of the problem (and suffering from it and awareness about it are two different things entirely). Historically, discriminated groups often showed the absolute opposite of solidarity, as it gave them some pause from persecution. Of course, nowadays it's more complex as social awareness and also social connections increase and discriminated groups start to bond. In a harsh environment and under hard pressure, however, people usually tend to care for themselves and their likes first and foremost, and everything else comes very late after that. That is how I perceive it, at least.

While I can agree that is the common historical perception of groups that are discriminated against by those in power, I would slightly push back on that. The two most important civil rights movements in the United States, Dr. King's movement and the Black Panthers, were lead by socialists ("you can’t have capitalism without racism.” - Malcolm X, 1964) that looked to raise others up with them.

[Gilga]

Oh I forgot about European/American PC sensitivities. Luckily I know very few derogative terms.

[Volker]

My intention was not to illuminate something about bnc but just to roleplay her.
But no problem. It's easy to refrain from that and similar phrases when they offend you, or anybody else.
Thanks for clarifying under which circumstances you have a problem with racism in roleplay.

As to the other topic: I don't want to dive into a political debate here. Both movements you named actually consisted mainly of the group they were fighting for (There's nothing wrong to that at all, but if I remember correctly, bot movements consisted primarily of POC fighting for their rights and equality).

And in the end, it boils down to Sharkboy's personality. Personally, I perceive him as a predator and lonesome rider, but then, it's difficult to look into somebody.

btw, there's also the possibility that he wouldn't have found it offensive from every person, but from bnc, the case could be a different thing entirely.

[Gilga]

Let's keep it as a roleplay opportunity.

[SquirrelDude]

But no problem. It's easy to refrain from that and similar phrases when they offend you, or anybody else.

That's all I'm asking.

[Volker]

no prob (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Thanee]

Typically, Nova will have the following wireless-active:

- Commlink
- Vision Enhancement (Contacts)
- Audio Enhancement (Earbuds)
- Datajack (Cyber)
- Smartlink (Cyber)
- Smartgun System (Weapon; unless concealed)

And these are usually off and only switched to wireless-active, when there is a need:

- Cyberholster (Cyber)
- Smuggling Compartment (Cyber)
- Hydraulic Jacks (Cyber)
- Telescopic Limbs (Cyber)
- Nanohive (Cyber)
- Medkit

Bye
Thanee

[Gilga]

Jack, any love for my astral scouting prior to arriving? Not looking for much just to gauge what kind of astral security do they have. Spirits? watchers? Wards?

[Gilga]

Anna enters with the improve charisma spell active (unless she needs to pass award).
She keeps foci in the car and does not bring a gun. She has glasses, earbuds, and comlink. A small pink cosmetic kit, all packed in a stylish bag.

[Thanee]

Nova would sneak in a gun and her shock gloves in her cyber holster/smuggling compartment in the cyberlegs. With all wireless off, of course.

However, I cannot really say if that is something that scanners would find. If it is too risky, she can also leave it outside.

How would that work? There aren't really any rules for that, or are there?

Bye
Thanee

[Jack_Spade]

@Gilga

Sorry, I missed that.
I'll give an update IP

@Thanee
There is a chance the scanners will pick it up, but I assume bnc gave your fake identities all the necessary licenses anyway.

[Thanee]

I still have the Lazarus Combo, from back then. The set contains Hemosynth, a nanite container with a savior medkit, a stim patch and a dose of each Crash and Kamikaze, respectively.

What is this meant to be used for? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

And what is Hemosynth or Crash?

Bye
Thanee

[Jack_Spade]

It's a neat combo:
Crash stabilizes overflow damage, hemosynth reverses the damage, medkit stabilizes and gives health back, kamikaze increases body and stim makes you awake again

[Thanee]

So, it will make someone walk again, who is in overflow... for a short while at least. With some consequences...

Bye
Thanee

[Volker]

Hence the name Lazarus combo (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Volker]

@Jack
Rules question concerning online gear (chameleon suite, smartguns, biomonitor) and simple calls/text messages:
a) can they "run silent"? If so, is there anything that keeps me from turning everything running silent?
b) is there a threshold of noise where they lose their wifi bonuses?

[Thanee]

@Volker: You might want to add that apostrophe into who're.

Bye
Thanee

[Jack_Spade]

A) yes and it's even expected for any kind of clandestine activity.
B) device rating: if noice is higher than DR you lose access to WiFi on bonus. Certain gear options help to mitigate that for all devices in your network. DR for standard gear is 2.

[Thanee]

Is that social roll for Taurus or anyone? If it is anyone, Anna is probably the best choice with her increased charisma.

And as for the thresholds... it's pretty clear, that Intimidate won't be the ideal choice. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Bye
Thanee

[Jack_Spade]

Yeah, anyone of you can try (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Crossbow]

can someone roll my 6d6? I am at work.