games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Okay, Sheva's 'sexy' RE5 alternate costume MIGHT be racist photo

Ever since Resident Evil 5 released its first full trailer and caused controversy amongst the stupid people of the world, I have defended it from accusations of racial prejudice. However, looking at Sheva's "sexy" unlockable costume, I have to admit that it does look a little bit racist.

As you can see from the provided pictures, this new costume comes complete with tooth necklace, neck bangles and tribal tattoos. All she's missing is a bone through her nose and a boiling pot with a freshly captured white man in it. Soup's on, and it tastes of racism!

While I maintain that the game isn't racist, not least because Japanese people simply don't seem aware of themselves when they stereotype other races (naivety is not the same as racism), I don't think I'll try and defend this one. I'll just keep my inappropriate laughter to myself, and hope the "that's racist zomg" crowd don't get their hands on it. 

At least N'Gai isn't writing about games anymore. He'd have had a field day with this one.


LAUNCH GALLERY (6 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo
 

Continue: More WHAAAAAAT? stories





prev 50 comments
next 50 comments

107 comments | showing # 51 to 100

mossd's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 11:45
mossd
funny how sports illustrated does this sort of thing every year with real women for their swimsuit edition and its treated as it should - not a big deal.
aesthetiks's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 11:46
aesthetiks
sexci
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 11:53
Tubatic
@mossd

Sure, but Sport illustrated didn't release a preview zine with potentially racially insensitive imagery. ;)

@guy on page one that said fighters have plenty of racist undertones

Undertones? I'm surprised no one's outraged about El Fuerte. Gordita Smash? come on now. And why's the black female also have to be a single, semi-absentee mother?

Thing is, we can do this with any game. Anything set in modern settings (which recent generations have been getting into more and more) is ripe for analysis with regards to racial/sexual/cultural sensitivity.

It in no means degrades the work, or makes the work "bad": its just another way of processing what you're experiencing in a critical way.

Its like knowing that Coke corrodes paint, but is tasty as hell.
catsithx's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 11:55
catsithx
I bet capcom is going to be raking in the money for this game cause all the hype around his game is going to make every one want to buy it just to see what all the hoopla is about.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:01
Cowboy TTop
Okay, enough of this spitting sparks to start fires, Jim.

At least we don't have t buy the costumes, like SF4, then you'd have a news item.
Kannaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:03
Kannaya
Sheva is SEXY...that is all.
BulletTrain's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:03
BulletTrain
Racist? Kinda sorta yeah. I wouldn't say that a black woman in Africa potentially dressing up in native dress would be a stretch and therefore not racist.

But this isn't really traditional dress. It's a stereotype of what real African attire might be, and so it does sorta have some ignorant racist undertones.

Have you seen how black people are portrayed in anime though? I don't think Japanese people think black people are real. I think they see them like some sort of magical creatures like elves or cat girls.
SephirothX's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:05
SephirothX
This is hawt.
Jumbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:06
Jumbo
@ SantanaClaus89

I don't know dude, it sounds like your the one who's butt hurt. Why so defensive? What has someone criticizing racial stereotyping in popular culture ever done to you?
Creamsnake's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:07
Creamsnake
Racist boner achieved.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:11
Jim Sterling
I shouldn't be surprised anymore at the number of people who don't get jokes.

I am always surprised though.
Tristero's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:17
Tristero
I hate to be the PC police here, but calling Japanese developers "too naive" to be racist ... doesn't that notion itself seem a tad ... racist?
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:21
mix
$5 DLC costumes, HELLS YEAH....I wouldn't put it past them.
PappaDukes's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:21
PappaDukes
Dark chocolate M&M's are racist!
PappaDukes's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:22
PappaDukes
Racism is racist!
iconsam's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:27
iconsam
It's not racist if the end result turns you on. WIN!
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:41
Jim Sterling
"I hate to be the PC police here, but calling Japanese developers "too naive" to be racist ... doesn't that notion itself seem a tad ... racist?"

No, it has nothing to do with their race, but their culture. Japanese people tend not to see racism the same way we do. In many ways, I find their less serious approach to it better than ours, where we're way too sensitive about shit.
Narishma's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:46
Narishma
If this is what racism looks like, then I like it.
AutomaticZen's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:49
AutomaticZen
Racist? No.

Sexist and insensitive? Probably. But then again, it's Japan. You kinda just have to walk it off.
Mushman's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:54
Mushman
Culturally insesnsitive?? Yes, very much, poor show capcom.


Racist?? No, hell no.
Timmeh's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 12:58
Timmeh
This is awesome, I guess this is why Capcom was telling the press they weren't to mention particular parts of the game? It's a good job stuff like this wasn't common knowledge when everyone was up in arms at the idea of shooting black people in africa.

Or could this have been created after all the palava to poke fun at it?
Chrisbydemand's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 13:48
Chrisbydemand
Capcom You Are Pushing My Buttons Now How Dare You.racist Pigs
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 14:06
-PL-
Black woman in african tribal gear is pretty racist. Just about as racist as a british guy wearing a powdered wig or a german guy wearing leiderhosen. Wait, that's not really racist at all.
Jumbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 14:14
Jumbo
@Jim Sterling

Exactly who is "too sensitive about shit". Do you read the comments on your own posts? Everyone pretty much agrees that "HA Ha ha, racism doesn't exist!" The "STFU-About-Racism" crowd seems to have won. You live in the land of South Park and Sarah Silverman. This idea that the "PC police" are running everything is fucking fantasy land.
Tristero's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 14:23
Tristero
@Jim:

Excellent clarification. There are certainly different levels of attention paid to issues of racism in different cultures. Although I do think that if you dig into the history of Burakumin, a Japanese social minority group, you'll find that Japan has its own internal cultural tensions that they wrestle with in alternately profound, immature, and explosive ways. They're no strangers to issues of racism and the approach is not always less serious than America's. Imagine before getting married having a private detective investigate your entire blood line to make sure it doesn't contain a trace of Burakumin blood in it.

Japan's approach to racism is neither naive nor uncomplicated.
Mulk Calathar's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 14:32
Mulk Calathar
You see racism.

I see a typical "lesbian cave woman" costume for a Cinemax softcore adult film.
Tristero's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 14:36
Tristero
Oh, also, let me add, I will be parading Sheva around online in this costume in multiplayer matches. For cultural "research" purposes, of course. ;)
Crastabule's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 14:37
Crastabule
Racism is people clinging to their own cultures and expecting other cultures to neither comment or even acknowledge that those cultures exitst. If you do make note of a culture, it can and will be seen as racism by somebody. Only extreme insensitivity with remove the sensitivity from the sensitive. When there are no "cultures" then racism will stop. Until then, STFU about it. Racists are people that hate other cultures. Ignorance is not racism, it's ignorance. There's a huge difference, and we as a people should leave 50,000 babies to be tended by D-toid robots, and boil everyone else down to goo. PEACE!
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 15:28
Corak
I chubbed a little.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 15:38
Jim Sterling
Jumbo: Using the Dtoid community as evidence doesn't really work, considering many of us are like-minded individuals who will -- shock horror -- agree on things.
Archwright's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 15:39
Archwright
I'm certainly not going to cast a thumbs down on the unlockable costume. It sure is sexy.

I suppose it would be neat if the tattoos meant something... or if Sheva wasn't an Oreo.

Anyway, if that outfit is racist, then so is the "Nice Hat" outfit for Leon in RE4.
SantanaClaus89's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 15:51
SantanaClaus89
The very definition of the word racism is as follows:

1. A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.


Can you please explain to me how this outfit or the location of this game tells you that Capcom believes they are superior to Africans or that they have the right to rule over Africans, or that they hold hatred or intolerance towards Africans in thier hearts?
Spartan 08Link's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 16:12
Spartan 08Link
Oh come on! If anyone even watches a episode of a show on animal planet, history channel or even the discovery channel you would see a native wearing that. what she is wearing I would expect to be seen on some runway for one of those crazy fashion shows doing a clothing from around the world theme. if this was a white dude in Japan and his partner, a native had a Kimono costume that was short an sexy would that be racist? or would that not cross anyone's minds cause they made it? Hell this just added one more thing for me, a black male to have something to look forward to.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 16:29
Jim Sterling
Mental note: End every lighthearted post with "don't take this seriously, fuckers" in future.
SantanaClaus89's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 16:52
SantanaClaus89
Jim, I wasn't directing anything at you, as you clearly stated in the post that you don't believe the game to be racist.

My responses are geared towards people who are actually outraged by this kind of stuff, like some of the posters in this thread.

The only point I've been trying to make is that the word "racist" has been totally and completely overblown by people in general. People should know what a word means before they throw it around so loosely and generally.
silvain's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 17:22
silvain
As a note, Japanese society does tend to be pretty racist; it just shows up as xenophobia.

Out before the flames.
DemonEyes23's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 17:38
DemonEyes23
i'd hit it
Fleet3000's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 18:24
Fleet3000
woof.
sxefly212's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 18:36
sxefly212
sxefly212's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 18:38
sxefly212
Sheva is so,so,so very HOT!!!! :)
Sup3rt3d's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 19:50
Sup3rt3d
can we get a rule 34 over here please? Rule 34 over here.
Jumbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 21:19
Jumbo
@Jim Sterling

That's why I mentioned the abundance of casually non-PC culture that is quite popular and tolerated in America such as South Park or Sarah Silverman. Robert Downy Jr. just got nominated for an Oscar for a role in blackface for crying out loud. I guess you really don't read the comments on your posts.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/12/2009 21:58
Dexter345
If the secondary costume comes with a note attached that says, "This is what all black people wear," then yeah, it's racist. But if not, then it's just portraying (sort of) what some people actually do wear, isn't it?
RikkWolf's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2009 05:52
RikkWolf
I agree. Resident Evil is pretty sexist, mostly the movies. Idiotic male characters bungling around getting killed while a 90 pound model beats the crap out of super monsters with little toothpick arms.
ran24's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2009 18:16
ran24
I don't give a shit if it's racist. It's fucking hot.
wannabepunktony's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/13/2009 21:50
wannabepunktony
"naivety is not the same as racism"

Seriously? Is that a serious comment? You have made some stupid comments in regards to racism on this site before Jim, but this has to be the dumbest thing to exit your proverbial mouth yet.

Did you even read that comment before publishing it? Can you explain to me just what that is supposed to mean and how it could be considered sound reasoning because I am just not seeing it. Even if you really believed in the point I think you may be failing to make, there's no way that specific comment is anything short of utter ignorance. If you don't understand even a fraction of all that the term "racism" means, then you have no business making social commentary about it.
jbeezy's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/14/2009 21:50
jbeezy
sexy racism is the best
Berserker's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/16/2009 04:16
Berserker
Ah, love the smell of sexy racism in the afternoon.
@ran24
Berserker's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/16/2009 04:16
Berserker
Ah, love the smell of sexy racism in the afternoon.
@ran24
I second that
RWarrior1CO's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/16/2009 15:19
RWarrior1CO
FFS, Capcom, we're trying to defend you and you go and do this. Yes, this may be a little silly to get worked up over, but the media picks it up it could reinforce the theme they've got going.
prev 50 comments next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos

    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Echoes review
    Assassin's Creed 2 review
    Crossfire Remote Pistol review
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    more reviews
    Driver
    Avatar
    GT Racing Motor Academy
    Bad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 51162 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing
    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Joseph Leray: Revisited: Gears of War 2, Pinocchio, and masculinity





















    More Destructoid Originals



     Popular now more
    Assassins CreedReview: Assassin's Creed 2
    591 comments + 41542 views
    Destructoid OriginalWhy No More Heroes HD could mean a Wii total victory
    152 comments + 30508 views
    FAILGirl smashes boyfriend's Xbox 360, films it
    160 comments + 16924 views
    BattlefieldBad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    43 comments + 16114 views
    Black FridayBlack Friday: Walmart going nuts with game sales
    31 comments + 16048 views
    Amazon.comBlack Friday: Amazon dropping deals all week long
    16 comments + 15004 views
    Amazon.comAmazon teases its Black Friday sales line-up
    18 comments + 14836 views
    Destructoid OriginalThe tragic history of the videogame turkey
    51 comments + 13276 views
    CapcomHot new SSFIV trailer shows Guy, Cody and Adon in action
    54 comments + 13222 views
    Call of DutyModern Warfare 2 DLC still planned for spring 2010
    27 comments + 12568 views


    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief    		 Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor    		 Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor    		 Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor    		 Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman    		 Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
         		Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong
    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    		 support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    		 keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online     		seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap     		our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?



    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006