ADL Blasts 'Ghettopoly' for Racist Content; Says Game's Stereotypes of Blacks Offensive and Degrading
New York, NY, October 10, 2003 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today blasted the board game "Ghettopoly," saying that the recently released game's use of racist wordplay, caricatures and stereotypes of African-Americans is "offensive, demeaning and degrading."
"It is outrageous that someone would take a venerable American game and pervert it in an effort to make a profit from bigotry," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "'Ghettopoly' is filled with offensive, demeaning and degrading stereotypes of African-Americans. There is nothing fun or funny about making a game filled with racist content. It is beyond insensitive. It is perverse, it is shocking, and it is destructive."
A takeoff on the classic Parker Brothers "Monopoly" game, "Ghettopoly" enables "playas" to buy chop-shop properties and chicken and rib establishments while building "crack houses" and projects. Among the game's racist contents are stereotypical images of Black people, who are shown as minstrel-like pimps, prostitutes and hustlers. In "Ghettopoly," the bank is renamed "Da Loan Shark." Contestants must avoid being shot or drug addicted, though getting "yo whole neighborhood addicted to crack" earns $50 from other players. Other minorities, including Hispanics and Jews, are stereotyped and caricatured as well.
"The game flaunts, celebrates and profits from the worst stereotypes and negative images of Black America," said Mr. Foxman. "'Ghettopoly' ought to offend and dismay decent people of any background."
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
|
