Videogames need more commentary like Anita Sarkeesian’s. Her ongoing (and insanely controversial successful) series Damsels in Distress posted its second installment yesterday; just as the first one was, it’s well worth your time, whether you play videogames or just live in a society where all other media—TV, books, comics, and especially film—are increasingly influenced by videogames. Which is this society. The one we live in. Just so we’re clear.

Anyone who’s halfway paying attention will have already noticed much of what Sarkeesian is pointing out in these videos—but a lot of what she’s saying either doesn’t get noticed or doesn’t get pointed out. (At least by me. A 33-year-old dude. Just so we’re clear.) There are any number of reasons for this, all of them depressing. On the upside, if both gamers and developers start to think and talk more about the issues that Sarkeesian is thinking and talking about, maybe the way women characters are treated in videogames (and TV, and books, and comics, and film, and…) will start to change.

With honor and distinction, Erik Henriksen served as the executive editor of the Portland Mercury from 2004 to 2020. He can now be found at henriksenactual.com.

2 replies on “Anita Sarkeesian’s Damsel in Distress Series Continues, and Continues Being Great”

  1. I’m glad she’s persisting in the face of blatant sexism but will her message reach the #YOLO Call of Duty (look at me, stereotyping over here) crowd that perpetuate misogyny and chauvinism in gaming? I guess just putting it out there heightens awareness at a basic level.

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