Nerd and Male Privilege

This article almost made me cry with both happiness and frustration. I couldn't help but think, "Finally, a male gamer who GETS it!" But then I was also so angry that it takes a White, straight male saying these things to get anyone to listen. (Not that everyone agrees with him, but if I wrote this article I don't think it would be featured on a Gamer's Guide website.)

Although the article is written through the paradigm of gaming, it is really applicable for all things about male privilege or just privilege in general. The way O'Malley describes the dismissive nature of the male gamer is true of the dominate culture for any identity. Great article, and hopefully it will open the conversation for women's voices to be taken more seriously on the issue.

Here is the entire article, though I have included one powerful excerpt below.

Now with this in mind, consider why being a girl first may be a hindrance to geek girls. A guy who plays a first person shooter – Call of Duty, Halo, Battlefield, what-have-you – online may expect a certain amount of trash talking, but he's not going to be inundated with offers for sex, threats of rape, sounds of simulated masturbation or demands that he blow the other players – but not before going to the kitchen and getting them a beer/sandwich/pizza first. Men will also not be told that they're being "too sensitive" or that "they need to toughen up" when they complain about said sexual threats.

Men also won't have their opinions weighed or dismissed solely on the basis of how sexy or attractive they are. The most common responses a woman can expect in an argument – especially online – is that she's fat, ugly, single, jealous, a whore, or a lesbian – or any combination thereof – and therefore her opinion is irrelevant, regardless of it's actual merits. This is especially true if she's commenting on the portrayal of female characters, whether in comics, video games or movies.