How To Be Racist

Before you begin to freak out at the title of this page, know that its purpose is to help you get into the mindset of a character who adopts the racism and prejudices of the time period in which this game is set. It is NOT a guide for how to approach the subject of racism in our world. This page is written under the assumption that you, the reader, are not racist and are uncomfortable even roleplaying racism.

This is not a racism apology page; racism is appalling and it is exactly because of that fact that it is so important to examine and critique it in creative works.

Introduction

Galdori racism, and indeed any group's racism in this world, has turned out to be one of the hardest things for new players (and even veterans) to wrap their heads around. Hopefully, everyone reading this page has learned why racism and prejudice is a great evil; it may have been ingrained in your mindset to avoid all discussion of racism. But racism does still exist, in our world and in the world of Thorns. However, it is greatly exaggerated, and more socially acceptable, in Vita. This is an aspect of the world that may make you uncomfortable, but there is a reason behind it. This is a chance to explore the effects of institutionalized racism on a society. This is an opportunity to tackle this difficult subject with thoughtfulness and candor.

We're viewing galdori racism through an Earth Lens. We see it as inexcusable, ignorant, just plain wrong; it sticks out to us as clear as day because we have been brought up in modern times, where the discussion of racism as a negative blight on humanity has been a factor in our education for quite some time. In fact, many new players find it close to impossible to remove this lens and see the situation through the eyes of people actually living in Vita, where racism is so common, everyday and expected that it's barely even considered racism.

Although you may not believe that this could excuse anyone from their individual actions, there is a societal, institutionalized component to racism from which it cannot be divorced. Society, culture and government excuse and encourage this racism, and so it self-perpetuates. By viewing the marginalized group as somehow less than human, galdori society at large has convinced themselves that human feelings don't matter, so it isn't "treating their fellows like garbage" so much as "the natural order of things".

One possible conclusion is that racism is a social problem as well as an individual problem. It cannot be solved by one individual, but by sweeping social change brought about by the actions of a large number of individuals. Another way to put this would be: being raised racist, unaware that you are racist and that racism is wrong, your racism does not reflect quite as poorly on your character as it might reflect on a modern racist man, one who knows better and has seen the effects of racism firsthand; this is the ignorance defense. On some level, someone who is raised in a racist society is expected to fit into that society; they are not in the same situation as a modern individual who deliberately chooses to be racist, in opposition of mainstream society.

Objectivity

Obviously this is a very sensitive issue, one composed of moral grey areas for some and stark good-vs-evil for others. It's very easy to condemn all racist people in history as terrible individuals, even if they were just buying into the standards of their time. Even today, people attach disclaimers to their praise of revolutionary historical figures, or condemn others outright for participating in this racism, judging them by today's standards rather than the ones by which the historical figure lived. Still too, there are apologists, people who forget that refusing to buck society's standards is also a choice; it is likely that racist individuals from history simply did not care enough to fight the oppression.

This game challenges you to try to see the world from the viewpoint of someone living in a time like this, a time where racism is so widespread and commonplace that even the most innocent of children are affected. Even the victims in this social drama, the humans, passives and wicks, are tainted by racism; their disdain for the galdori goes far beyond any retribution for crimes. Not even the kindest, most sympathetic galdor can escape the mindset of this era, whether he or she fights it, accepts it or embraces it.

You, as the author, presumably opposed to racism, must learn to deal with your character as separate from yourself rather than imposing your own views onto him. You must explore the question of whether it is possible to be a moral person with racist views, rather than trying to ignore or deny that your character would have those views, regardless of who he is. You might try to separate the question of racism from the other moral aspects of your character, or you might find this impossible.

This is the hardest aspect of this game.

How to Be Racist

When it comes to actually roleplaying this racism, I encourage you to NOT shy away from the topic, sensitive as it is. There are so many nuanced ways to consider the ethical issues surrounding racism. For most, in our world, it's a black-and-white subject; racism is bad, end of story. But in this world, they either have not reached that conclusion yet; possibly this society is not going to reach that conclusion. You're going to have to deal with it eventually, as it is a central theme of this game.

Try to consider these things when thinking about your character's personality and story:

How does your character react to people he considers inferior? It doesn't have to be the cookie cutter spit-take reaction, or cold scorn. Many galdori feel the "lower races" are worthy of pity or indulgence; theirs is a racism of condescension rather than anger or spite.
If your character is one of said "lower races", does he hate the galdori with a passion? Is he indifferent? Bitter? Scornful? Does he have other reasons to look down on them apart from the status quo, such as a dislike for magic, or a bad personal experience?
Does your character ever consider the equality of all beings? What might lead him to such a radical thought? It is a tenet espoused in Vitanism, but many humans overlook it, as it is too painful or unfamiliar for them to consider relevant to modern life.
Does racism have an effect on your character's daily life? Is he on the receiving end or the giving end?
Does your character ever go through moral quandaries regarding the racism of his race as a whole? Does he ever wonder if the racism problem can be solved, or if it is actually justified?
If your character has gone through a major change in his life (for example, losing a high government position, or being publicly disgraced), he might start having doubts about his own people. Might he then consider that galdori are no better than the humans they claim to be superior to? Would this lead him to ideas of equality, or instead a broad dislike of all races, a more jaded outlook on things?
Consider this specific brand of racism - one based on magical ability rather than skin tone or nationality. Differences in skin tone are "skin deep", but magic is a deep-seated and life-changing difference. What does this mean about the racism that stems from this great difference? Could your character possibly see it as justified?
Consider that magic-based racism is merely one of the many injustices of Vita. Sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, xenophobia - these all exist, although they are not as institutionalized. Is your character aware of these things? Is he or she prejudiced in any other way?

The most important thing to remember is that you will not be judged for the actions of your character. You are a separate entity, and everyone on this game understands that. However, be aware that your writing often reflects you in other ways. From how you present your characters' racism or their views on the matter, your own viewpoint will become apparent. Be cautious in how you present your characters.

Extenuating Circumstances

There are, of course, parts of any individual's life where he has to reevaluate his views and revise his stance on issues like this. Moments of personal realization and epiphany are likely what led to the sweeping social change that ended slavery and segregation. It is a slow process; you don't go from dyed-in-the-wool racism to all-out acceptance of every race as equal in a single day! But it is possible.

If you go this route, and make your racist galdor encounter a human good Samaritan that saves their life/rescues their cat/mends their carriage, we still encourage you to avoid pulling a "well there we go, my character accepts everyone now, it's done!" This is a cheaty way of getting around this difficult issue. You're really cheating yourself if you deny your character such a crucial part of development.

However, such an event might set your character on the path to enlightenment; perhaps he takes the opportunity to think deeply on the experience, and begin to question some things he's taken for granted. This leads into many other possible experiences that would allow him to develop fully and naturally.

Or, of course, you could just leave your character the way he/she is. There's nothing that says you must explore this issue if your character is just fine with the way he views other races, thank you very much, and given that his viewpoints will probably be on par with everyone else in the world, this is a perfectly acceptable choice.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, please don't pretend that your character is immune to the social standards of Vita. You'll be missing out on one of the whole points of the game if you do. Likewise, allow yourself to question what you know and take for granted on this subject. Your own personal experiences have a major impact on how you think about racism and prejudice. Writing and exploring the subject is often painful but can ultimately help you to sort out your own thoughts and feelings on the matter.