Podcast 40 - Zombie-Human race relations in peril, handguns needed

Summary: A Village Voice editorial takes the stance that Capcom’s choice to set Resident Evil 5 in Africa is in poor taste at best, and racist at worst. I think that interpretation is fair. However, I’d like to make a few points. First, I think Zombification is an excellent opportunity for people in Africa. It allows them to take advantage of an abundant and heretofore untapped food resource - white people. Second, I believe the term ‘Zombie’ is considered offensive. They prefer ‘Undead-African’ or ‘Undead-American’, depending on your continental orientation. Third, there is only one way to settle Undead vs. Human disputes, and that is through the judicious application of bullets. It’s a freaking zombie game, man. Not to mention, it wasn’t developed in the States, it was developed in Japan. The Japanese have fortunately not inherited America’s rich racial history. I think intent needs to be present in order for racism to be claimed. If one wants to claim that a white guy trying real hard not to get his face eaten off can be seen as racist, then I want to know where that person was when Barrett started spewing jive in Final Fantasy VII. I haven’t heard dialogue that stereotypically ‘black’ since Dolemite.