zom 💜 (super cool) · @oposszom
31st Jul 2021 from TwitLonger
being black in vtuber community + my experience (please read)
idk how to format this so im just going to list all the things ive been thinking about and talk a bit about them.
1. What's So Funny?
I've always been a bit uncomfortable about this kind of thing, but recently it's been really bothering me. What exactly is up with VTubers saying the N-word and their fans supporting it, or making a joke about the word - their fans once again supporting it? Two main things that I've come across recently are why I'm brining this up.
The first thing was Kiara Takanashi's accidental usage of the word during karaoke. Okay, it's an accident. We all move on, right? No, it's never that simple. A startling amount of people praised her / encouraged her for saying it. There is an Instagram account still existing to this day that reposts her saying the N-word daily, claiming that she's based for saying the word and for only being seen collabing with "white people." This account is followed by almost 850 other people.
On the other hand, I haven't felt comfortable at all noticing this racial slur with centuries of history behind it (struggles still being felt to this day) being belittled and memed. I've seen this community call it a "Gamer word", and today I came across a clip of VTuber Pipkin Pippa refer it as the "Pewdiepie bridge word." And then, of course, the comments were flooded with people calling her based, and people pretending like they're gonna say it. "Haha, Nigeria. Nintendo" "A true gamer" "Yeah she's based." Are you kidding me?
I can't speak for every black VTuber in the community, so I will only speak for myself when I say that it absolutely fucking sucks seeing a bunch of people make those stupid jokes and then follow it up with ACTUAL racism. It's never just a joke. How are people going to parade around and say this community is welcoming and safe when I've never even seen this stuff talked about before?
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2. So, Where Are They?
Talking about the community being welcoming brings me to my next point. I don't know if there's a reasoning for this or what, but I notice that there aren't any black VTubers in these more "corporate" level VTuber groups. Not in HololiveEN, Not in NijisanjiEN, not in VShojo, not in Tsunderia, not in Atelier Live, not in PRISM Project, not in Phase Connect... why not?
Applications are open to everyone, but why is it that for all these groups, the results are the same? This is not to say that the individuals in these groups aren't talented and deserving of their success - I just want to point that out. What would it take to have a black VTuber in any of these groups? It almost feels like being left on the sidelines while the rest of your team is in the game. Why are you on the sidelines? Is there something that they have you don't? You don't get a chance to play, but you can watch the game from a distance.
With that being said, I don't want to force any groups to add someone because "zom is upset" but also,, in the applications... if you're looking for something "specific" just say that,, it kind of sucks seeing that we only get included in things if there's pressure or some sort of outrage. Is that it? Is that what it takes for every little thing? Do we have to beg for a bit of representation? Because I'm confused... I know there are black content creators out there with countless experience, an interest in anime or vtubers, and lots of talent (art, music, languages, editing) so... i just cant really understand.
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3. "No Assets For You!" + The Effect
Surely, the lack of Black VTubers in these well known groups also goes along with the unfortunate lack of skin tone variety in certain trending assets. If you have darker skin, you are not included. That's it, that's how it will work. You do not get to have fun too, and it's because your skin color isn't light enough to match the assets. If you still want to participate, you either have to edit the files to match your skin or make your own assets.
This is something that seems small, but carries a larger message to (those with darker skin) and black VTubers. Nothing about that feels welcoming honestly. Personally, it makes me feel like an outsider. Sadly, I feel others can relate. One of the most depressing things of all would have to be the results of all this exclusion.
A handful of black VTubers that I've come across have made their models with pale, light skin. Others, even myself - have at one point or another considered it. Think about that. It's not like there are any... black VTubers in the companies that attract people to vtubing in general... and seeing how in the first point ig the n-word is a joke and its encouraged to say by a weirdly large amount of fans,, its hard NOT to consider.
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Conclusion kinda
To wrap up my thoughts, I don't really know what's going on with the jokes and what seems like exclusion, but it is has been too damn long for this to still be an issue. Why don't black VTubers get as much recognition without having to make a post about it or begging to include us. Why Why Why Why wHY WHY WHY,,, why is it still like this? thats all from me i guess. thanks if u read this far. if u didnt, ig that people rlly dont care about things like this.