Witches Exist Too
Razorgirl
Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
Can Niantic please make the language in this game more inclusive.
Whenever I play this game I'm constantly being reminded of the Fanfic, Hermione Granger and the Goddamn Patriarchy (Buzzfeed 15 January 2015. I would post a link but apparently I'm not allowed to yet so you'll have to Google it. It's an entertaining read so it's worth it).
Eg. Change "Wizarding Challenges" to "Fortress Challenges". Such an easy thing to do; call a spade a spade, and remove the gendered term that excludes Witches.
I get it... Harry is the main character, the IP is based on a British society that has been sexist for centuries, but does Niantic really need to persist with sexist gendered language for things they've made up for this game.
I have assumptions on how this topic will play out in an open forum on the internet, but I'm hoping that this is a space where that sort of behaviour won't happen. I dare to dream.
Here's hoping we can see some change towards the game being made to feel more inclusive.
🤞💚👍
Comments
Assumptions are like predictions, they are rarely true or ever come to pass. As a man, I have always been a HUGE fan of strong female roles/characters, especially dark ones. I long for the day when they make an epic blockbuster out of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. Now there is a worthy gender balanced story.
Maybe assumption was the wrong word... Concerns, perhaps. Based on experiences in other gaming forums. But I always try to treat each new space with the hope that "maybe this space will be different". I got told once that maybe I should change my Username to something that didn't immediately identify me as female. I think I want to live in a world where women can be on the internet without having to hide that they're female.
Fingers crossed that there'll be more men like you @ZookiTabooki.
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The interesting thing about "Witch" is that it is a gender-neutral term. While it is predominantly used to describe female users of Witchcraft, it can also describe males. Since 1861 the term "Warlock" began to be used as a label for male users of Witchcraft (that tendency of re-labeling began in Scotland).
The idea that "Witch" describes exclusively (instead of "predominantly") females came about with the "Malleus Maleficarum" - a book written in 1486 by 2 german monks and gained widespread popularity in christianity (but wasn't used by the inquisition - which even cautioned against relying on that piece)
To me as a DnD fan, there are important differences between "Sorcery", "Wizardry" and "Witchcraft" based on their source of power, that's why I'd prefer to not see these mixed up.
(and yes, I'm aware that - from a DnD-Perspective - the books label incorrectly, too)
If ya wanna be technical, the term "witch" is not a gender-specific term (in the real-world sense of the word). It encompasses male and female practitioners. Witchcraft and wizardry are two completely different schools of magick.
But that's me being pedantic again.
Let's be pedantic for a moment, @Craeft
Sorcery describes magic originated within bloodline - Sorcerers and Sorceresses therefore TRAIN rather than study. As they are innately magically talented, they don't "need" wands, many use them merely as an object to help channel and focus their obscure strength. The highest Ability Score of a Sorcerer is CHARISMA.
Wizardry describes magic born from meticulous study - Wizards and Wizardesses therefore STUDY rather than train. Wizards have wands embedded deeply into their craft and there are very few who are sooo adapt and experienced that they don't need wands anymore. The highest ability score of a Wizard is INTELLIGENCE.
Witchcraft describes magic born from a pact with an otherworldly innately magic creature (often demonic forces and deities, sometimes also elemental magic beings) - therefore Witches and Warlocks TRAIN their will to bend that power, develop their connection to the origin of that power (often in the form of cults). Witches and Warlocks often channel their magic power through their body - by pointing fingers or spitting magically enhanced salvia. To them, a Wand would only be useful if it can be an extension of their body. The highest ability scores of a Warlock/Witch are CHARISMA+WISDOM.
In general, Sorcery is a heritage, Wizardry is a lifelong study and Witchcraft is a means to a specific goal.
In the world of "Harry Potter", the magic users are a weird amalgamation of Sorcerers and Wizards - not even aeons of study would turn a Squib into a caster.
I wasn't using D&D rulesets, @Lucoire but I sincerely appreciate your attention to detail. :-D
God, I miss playing D&D.
Not sure where your post went, @Lucoire - now I look like I was talking to myself. LOL
@Craeft I edited it and the edit was eaten by the Review Process. I think it'll return once @HPWUMicah or any of the other moderators considers my edit "okay-ish".
To get back to @Razorgirl : I understand and appreciate your concern. They're important and deserve to be heard but let me assure you that Niantic cares about gender equality. In both of their other games - Ingress and Pokemon GO - they've fought for equal representation and they demonstrated solidarity with both the LGBTQ-Community as well as presented their own effort in working towards a gender-equal work place AND community.
You're welcome here as an equal, regardless of what you identify as, regardless of what house you chose, regardless of what profession you've studied, of where you come from or what level you have attained.
As somewhat of a closing notice, I'd like to give you something to think about: being afraid is natural but when you're so afraid that it consumes your every thought, you start so subconsciously work towards making your fears a reality.
I can't help but notice that you've all focused on the term "Witch", but not the term "Wizard".
Fortress Challenges are called Wizarding Challenges in the game - AFAIK, a term not invented by JK and instead invented by Niantic.
If Niantic value inclusion so much, why are they so bad at it? Perhaps I’m not knowledgeable enough about JK’s world to know that Wizarding is a gender neutral term, but it feels like it’s a gendered term, which is why this game feels exclusionary. There is another thread about the lack of female representation - which I won't go into here, I'll leave that debate for that thread.
As for what I am/am not afraid of... I was concerned that this thread would focus on me rather than the point I have raised. How about we move past your misplaced assumptions and stick to the topic.
Although I support the OP, I also support Niantic and their efforts. Aside from the lack of human female foes, I was just telling my wife last week I thought that women were well represented in the game (who knew?). We talked about how Pokemon Go had a large female player base and that I believe Niantic (Portkey Games) considered this when designing the game. I believe the implementation of Greenhouses and Tea Shops and the like were an effort in that direction. I still want to duel female human foes, and I'll be disappointed if if doesn't come to pass.
I have no idea what the player base is like for HPWU, though I wouldn't be surprised to hear women once again carry the numbers.
@Razorgirl Once my D&D-Post is back from being reviewed, you'll see that I didn't just focus on "Witchcraft" but also included "Wizardry" and "Sorcery" in my description. (Spoiler: there are male Witches and there are female Wizards)
Wizardry and Witchcraft are BOTH gender-neutral terms and there's a very important difference between them.
(As for accusations of "misplaced assumptions", two can play this game. But I'd rather not, it would be impolite to assume things about you and I wouldn't want you to assume things about me.)
As for Inclusion, there is a difference between what IS inclusive and what FEELS inclusive. That difference is called "subjectivity".
The unnecessary gender distinction in Harry Potter (witches and wizards describing the same thing of different genders) actually makes me cringe...I personally identify as a cisgender female wizard. But unfortunately, in the Harry Potter canon, if you don't refer to "witches" then you're leaving out females, since most people are familiar with the gender distinction.
@bonzork
Witches (being derived from Witchcraft) and Wizards (derived from Wizardry) describe VERY different things. Wizards gain their power through study, therefore their main attribute is INTELLIGENCE.
Witches + Warlocks ( both exist as male and female) gain their power from a pact with an outerworldly magical entity - in many cases demonic or divine powers, often also elemental beings. Warlocks (both male and female) is the label used for the pact with a demonic being while Witch (both male and female) is the label used for a pact with an elemental being. Therefore their main attributes are tied between Charisma and Wisdom.
TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
Hear, hear!
@Razorgirl My D&D comment has re-appeared.
I thought from the beginning that "wizarding challenge" was a misname. Which noob actually saw that in their daily task and knew exactly what to do? How many fewer confused noobs would there be if it was a "fortress challenge"? I'd bet many.
I'm all for gender equality, but the name should be changed regardless.
In Harry Potter world if you read J.K. Rowlings writings, wizard refers to males and females. She uses the term to describe woman and men. She also at times uses witches and witchcraft as well in an all-gendered way.
I think that the language is gender inclusive considering how it is used in J.K. Rowling's world she created. But you would have to read her writings and view the extra info on Potter more to really see that.