The following is a guest post by Anna Anthropy:
Anna Anthropy is a white, transdyke game designer, critic, and sadist. She is interested in the dynamics between the game designer and game player, and works to enable all people to become involved in creating games. She has, at present, the same number of girlfriends as she has cats.
A screenshot of a Tweet from @JimSterling saying "@daphaknee People like you *revel* in sexism, so sure. I'm just giving you what all attention-seeking little bitches crave."Editors at Destructoid:
This may have already been brought to your attention, but I wanted to make sure you were aware of an exchange that happened on Twitter Tuesday night between Jim Sterling, whom you employ to write and produce videos, and my girlfriend, Daphny (Twitter account “daphaknee”). Here is a brief list of things Jim Sterling called my girlfriend during that exchange:
a cunt
“sweetcheeks”
an attention-seeking little bitch
an embarrassment to her gender
a “feminazi slut”
He also told her to ask her “husband for permission” before using the computer, which I, as her girlfriend, find kind of funny. For reference, here are some screenshots taken by various Twitter users of some of Jim Sterling’s tweets:
http://www.dessgeega.com/jimsterling_1.png
http://www.dessgeega.com/jimsterling_2.png
http://www.bettween.com/jimsterling/daphaknee/desc
At some point after the exchange, Jim changed his Twitter bio to read, “My Tweets are MINE and do not reflect the opinions of my contractors.” Perhaps this satisfies you. It shouldn’t.
There’s an obvious misogynist tone to Jim’s interactions with my girl: “cunt,” “attention-seeking bitch,” “feminazi slut,” “ask your husband for permission” – these are all GENDERED insults that bespeak Jim’s attitude towards women as a man of privilege in a culture (gaming culture) where open hostility, name-calling and slut-shaming of women is not only the norm but is flagrantly practiced by its most public figures. Immediately after and during the exchange, in fact, a number of Jim’s Twitter followers began tweeting at Daphny and searching her blog for material for personal attacks. Many of them called her a “faux-feminist” or “feminazi,” a label that Jim applied to her in his tweets – she never identified herself as a feminist.
I’m asking you, as a fellow journalist and as a woman, to say that it’s not okay to perpetrate those attitudes which keep women feeling unsafe within the community and culture of games. I’m asking you not to give a platform to a man who casually calls women “attention-seeking bitches” and “feminazi sluts.”
Jim will argue, if he hasn’t already, that Daphny provoked him. She certainly did. But are you comfortable giving space on your website to a man who, when threatened by a woman, turns to misogynist name-calling? Is Destructoid happy with a gaming status quo where women are treated with hostility and antagonism?
I’m not.
Sincerely,
anna anthropy
auntiepixelante.com
**The Border House Editors Note: Comments blaming daphaknee or insulting her for ‘egging him on’ will not be allowed. We do not necessarily agree with the things that she said, but victim blaming is not okay. This reprinted open letter is about Jim Sterlings misogyny, which is clear and unwarranted regardless of her actions. However, The Border House is not picking sides, we are simply raising awareness of this issue.**
(Originally posted here)
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