Last night I noticed a trending Twitter hashtag, #1reasonwhy. A large number of the accounts I follow were using and/or retweeting this hashtag, and earlier today I noticed that it had managed to become the top trending hashtag in all of twitter. I’m not sure if you’re supposed to read the hashtag as “One reason why” or “Number one reason why”. But the hashtag is being used to address sexism in the game industry (and by now appears to have spilled over more generally to include the tech industry.) I think the idea is “1 reason why I (a woman) am sticking it out in this sexist industry” or something close to that.
Sexism is definitely a major issue in the tech and gaming industries, and has been for as long as anyone can remember. It’s not just evident inside the games industry, it’s blatant in the products themselves, and in how they are marketed. Not everything about gaming and tech is sexist, but sexism is rampant and unabashed, and has been for a long, long time.
I think it’s great to see conversation stimulated on this topic, and exciting that so many women are stepping forward and asserting their right to a place in the gaming world, whether as players or creators, and demanding that the industry change to become inclusive. It feels like right now we could be witnessing a historical moment, a turning point. I hope so.
I don’t have a whole lot to add to the discussion for now, apart from recognizing the importance of this discussion and encouraging it. For now I’m preferring to just sit back, and listen and observe, and think about the things that are being brought to light by those who are speaking out right now.