Since the relaunch of gSm, we have observed conversations discussing the use of the darkest skin tones for costumes. How the misuse is making Black users uncomfortable as it is reducing their skin color and experiences to accessories and dress-up, in a reality where they are often treated with dismissal, invalidation, and hate.
(Summary at the bottom)
Table of contents
- A bodysuit for dress-up purposes
- Digital Blackface and gSm
- Education and Resources
- Feedback about racism on gSm
A bodysuit for dress-up purposes
We understand that a core element of gSm is finding creative ways to dress up and create unique and beautiful outfits. Therefore, we have, in collaboration with The Inclusivity Group (IG), curated a black bodysuit intended to look like fabric. This is to offer users more creative freedom to create fantastical or fantasy outfits, without exposing Black users to having their skin tone used as a tool to achieve an aesthetic.
You can see the suit below:
Using the darkest skin tone for costumes is against the rules and will be moderated accordingly.
Digital Blackface and gSm
We expect everyone to approach this topic mindfully and with sensitivity. Behind this decision lies deeply rooted experiences with racism and dismissal on the platform. The experience of not being heard, of outright racist behavior, as well as covert actions aimed at users to provoke and cause harm.
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Digital blackface: Instances where individuals who are not Black impersonate, mock, or appropriate Black identities online. We have had situations with troll accounts deliberately presenting themselves as Black to reinforce and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
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Connection and community: Many users find reassurance and safety in interacting with people within their own communities, and have expressed disappointment and disheartenment, thinking they connect with someone who has shared experiences with them, only to later find out they were dressing up.
Education and Resources
In February, IG created a News Post marking Black History Month, among other things writing about Digital Blackface and Cultural Appropriation. You can read it here
We have a mod post compiling texts written by moderators and users on racism, how it can often look like, and how it feels. You can read it here
Feedback about racism on gSm
The community has continued to make it clear to us that our platform has a long way to go in ensuring the safety and well-being of BIPOC users. And while there have been improvements made in internal education and routines to combat harmful behavior, we understand it is still not enough and that we need to collectively re-commit to improving it every day. From awareness, to rules and guidelines, to active moderation, and to items and representation, all aspects of the platform should be safe and diverse.
We first and foremost want to apologize for that not being the case, while continuing to thank and show appreciation to everyone who holds us accountable for our shortcomings.
We wish to be as transparent as possible and share parts of our strategy:
- Internal guide for de-escalation: Last month, we finished an internal guide helping moderators navigate intense situations, both in communication as well as moderation.
- New forum section: We are actively working on implementing a new forum section as a dedicated and clear space for awareness, education, resources, and important news posts. This section will also be used by IG to give regular updates on their work and ongoing projects.
Our hope is that a space designated to compile important resources will empower and encourage the community to be curious and self-educate, as well as help educate each other and nurture an inclusive and welcoming platform.
- Internal guidelines: A major point of feedback has been wanting us to improve how we review content in full context, and how we prioritise our moderation when facing situations caused by racism. We are setting up internal meetings to look through our current routines, and to find a solution.
- Regular meetings: Moving forward we will have regular meetings to review feedback on moderation and our current progress on improvements.
Summary
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We have added a dark bodysuit for dress-up to the game, to give users more creative freedom to dress up, without Black users having to be exposed to their skin tones being misused.
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The suit comes with and without a chest, and can be separated into: hat, a full suit, top, and pants.
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Using the darkest skin tone for dress-up is against the rules and will be moderated accordingly.
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There is a lot of history of racist behavior on the platform; Outright hate, BIPOC users being dismissed, and covert behavior intended to target and provoke, and more.
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We encourage everyone to read through some of our resources on racism: here and here
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We have received a lot of feedback about our moderation being lacking in the face of racism. We have created an internal action plan to improve this: Internal guide for de-escalation, a new forum section to compile resources, and regular meetings to review feedback and our current progress on meeting needs.
We wish to again thank everyone contributing to gSm being a positive platform, and for bringing it to our attention when it is not. We encourage everyone to read the resources shared above, and make sure your interactions are those of an ally: Empowering and amplifying BIPOC voices.
If you have further feedback and thoughts on the website and inclusivity, you can share and discuss your concerns in THIS topic.
With love,
