Racist game spreads hate over immigration debate
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Apr 19th 2006 at 6:55PM }
According to CBS, the
Flash-based game, Border Patrol, has been traveling the email circuit. When the game landed in Frank
Navarette's inbox, he was shocked to discover that the object of the game was to blast immigrants crossing the US
border from Mexico. The targets included three derogatory stereotypes: 'Mexican Nationalist,' 'Drug Smuggler,' and
'Breeder' (pregnant woman with two small children). “I found it offensive, racist and condescending,"
remarked Navarette.Navarette, who identifies himself as both Hispanic and Native American, has decided to take action against the game. While CBS was able to track the location of Border Patrol to a UK web host, the game's developer could not be determined. The game has surfaced in the heat of a national debate over immigrant rights.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ZaBlanc @ Apr 19th 2006 7:01PM
I think the people who made the game should have to go live in Mexico...asswipes. But, legal action is a bit much.
If I had to prosecute every idiot on the Internet, I'd well, have a lot of work to do. ;-)
KILL THOSE DAMN PEOPLE! HOW DARE THEY TRY TO EARN A LIVING SO THEY CAN FEED THEIR FAMILIES!
BASTARDS!
Jouten Za @ Apr 19th 2006 7:02PM
It's an XBox 360 Exclusive! Only on XBox Live!
Although I'm teasing, I wouldn't doubt it.
Brian Rose @ Apr 19th 2006 7:08PM
People who think it's their right to sue whenever they're offended by something are really starting to get on my nerves...
matthew @ Apr 19th 2006 7:08PM
The saddest part is that this probably surprises exactly zero people.
In unrelated speculation, I bet Lou Dobbs starts recommending (specific) video games on his show...
jp007 @ Apr 19th 2006 7:08PM
Frankly, I don't see this game as "racist" at all. No more than "kill the Cubans" or whatever in GTA. Shooting immigrants that come over the border by some is considered a ligitimate solution to our border security problems. It is not "racist" to enforce US laws. Naming the types of border crosses is more like stereotyping, not racism. It seems that the three kinds of boarder crossers described in the game pretty accuratly reflect the realities of people's motivations for illegally crossing. That is not "racist." As a whole most Americans DO want to clamp down on ILLEGAL immigration. We have nothing against immigrants. But the US is a nation of laws, and it is not right, in my opinion, to reward those who break the law. American politics and policy should not be at the whims of a group of people WHO AREN'T even citizens, or even legal residents in the country, as is happening now. This game just happened to find its way into some liberal jerkwad's inbox. I find his attitude and lack of thick skin about people's freedom to express themselves a much greater danger to society than some stupid flash game.
shogan @ Apr 19th 2006 7:12PM
I thought 'breeders' was sexist gay slang for heterosexuals.
Evan T. Burchfield @ Apr 19th 2006 7:17PM
"Take action" because he was offended? He'd better sue Warner over the old Looney Tunes shorts as well, and make sure no one can see Gone With the Wind, what with its stereotypes and lies, and anytime someone says anything about his race call his lawyer.
This is silly! The internet, of all places, is bound to offend. Why not build off this offense and start making statements about immigration and correcting wrong attitudes? Items like this game only exist so long as people forward them. I suggest he put out a warrant for his entire address book.
matthew @ Apr 19th 2006 7:18PM
How is pointing out the stupidity of this game a danger to society? Just because they tried to track down who made it does not mean they had the intent (or even means) to legally punish the game maker. Freedom of expression does to give you the right to make murder simulations anonymously. Other people have every right to call each other out on things like this. I suggest you spend less time memorizing talking points and more time sorting through your thoughts before you post. And who is a liberal jerkwad? Do you have to be a liberal to find murdering pregnant women offensive?
gino @ Apr 19th 2006 7:18PM
people are making a fuss over a game i played like 2 years ago?.. now that's kinda ridiculous...
TK00 @ Apr 19th 2006 7:19PM
>"Shooting immigrants that come over the border by some is considered a ligitimate solution to our border security problems."
By WHO? I really hate it when people try to validate their points with pseudo-sources like "some".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_words
Deustchland @ Apr 19th 2006 7:22PM
You can play the game here!
Alejandro Quan-Madrid @ Apr 19th 2006 7:22PM
They should make the prequel to this game a manifest destiny US where it's the same concept but you have to kill Indians and Mexicans and then create the imaginary border line between the US stolen land and Mexico.
The person on comment 5 needs to learn that just because he is American and feels a certain way, dosen't mean other Americans feel the same way or that he has the right to speak for every American as a whole. It's people like HIM who scare me more than anyone.
Eric @ Apr 19th 2006 7:27PM
IMO the best part of it all is that they could not pin point the exact developer. Only that its origins are from the UK.
It is such sweet justice IMO when Navarette--from the land of litigation where it is encouraged to sue when your feelings are hurt---cannot find anyone to sue!
~GAME ON~
geves @ Apr 19th 2006 7:29PM
he wants to sue?
screw him. i'm glad his special feelings got offended.
good thing the supreme court decided that video games are covered by the second ammendment, so NO SOUP FOR YOU!
Navarette, you are not a unique and special snowflake.
i'm going to go sue, somethingawful.com because they have greatly hurt my feelings with their jabs at furries.
Uno @ Apr 19th 2006 7:32PM
If a game offends you, you're a pussy. End of story.
Ryuukuro @ Apr 19th 2006 7:33PM
While I appreciate the reasoning behind posting about this disgusting "game", I have to wonder if it's just doing more dirty work and letting the thing spread.
Argue about illegal immigration all you want but when this sort of trash comes about then it shows who really needs to be kicked out of America.
The1 @ Apr 19th 2006 7:34PM
This is crazy. This country does have a problem with illegal's. I think everyone is equal and we cannot give illegal immagrants priority over those who have played by the rules to become citizens. However, this is pure hate based. This country will never change.
Varian @ Apr 19th 2006 7:34PM
Hispanic is not a race. It is an ethnicity.
White is a race. Black is a race. Asian is a race.
If Hispanic is a race, then the Irish must also be a race. But who would be so absurd to confuse ethnicity and race?
Eric @ Apr 19th 2006 7:34PM
btw can anyone actually get all 88??? I keep trying and the best I can do is like 65 leading to an annoying message at the end..
Big Ice D @ Apr 19th 2006 7:43PM
Um... anyone doubting if this is racist or not should take a look @ the flag on the sign post. It has a star of David in place of the 50 stars and 13 bars, suggesting the stereotype that Jews control our nation.Imagine if it were a flash game where you flew planes driven by Saudi's into buildings full of Americans, trying to rack up a body count. That would end this "is it racist/offensive" argument right away. That being said, it is the internet and shit happens people... don't like it don't play it.
Sabre @ Apr 19th 2006 7:44PM
While I am for enforcing our laws and keeping ILLEGAL immigrants out (there is a difference between LEGAL and ILLEGAL people)...I find this a bit extreme. But for someone to sue b/c they were "offended"? Gimmie a break...if that was the case then there would be an explosion of lawsuits from people suing someone who called them name on an internet message board.
As for the whole "US stolen land and Mexico"...get over it already. How in the hell do you think civilizations were expanded and humanity evolved? Do you think that everything was pre-planned before everyone arrived?
The1 @ Apr 19th 2006 7:44PM
17. Hispanic is not a race. It is an ethnicity.
White is a race. Black is a race. Asian is a race.
If Hispanic is a race, then the Irish must also be a race. But who would be so absurd to confuse ethnicity and race?
Actually, you are right and wrong HISPANIC are those living in America with true SPANISH lineage. The majority of Mexicans who are Latino that are indigenous to their country. This is all Colonialism at its best. I am amazed at how people never get this fact straight. Even the news media gets it wrong.
jp007 @ Apr 19th 2006 7:46PM
That attitude IS dangerous to society, because it is that type of pissing and moaning that leads governments passing laws outlawing the very things people find "offensive." Why else would they have tried to track down the maker? Of COURSE it is to try to shut it down. Also remember, that European coutries have much less freedom of speech than here in the states. All sorts of "hate speech" laws exist over there that would fly in the first amendment's face if they were enacted over here. Thse people would probably arreated for hate crimes if their identities were found out.
I do not think shooting ANYONE tyring to illegally break into this country is offensive. Living in the south, I've spoken to lots of people about this issue and more than just of few would be supportive of a shoot to kill policy regarding border jumpers. If they didn't want to be killed, they shouldn't have tried to cross. This isn't "weasel words." Some people feel like that. It's the truth. I think it is more weaselish(?) to imply that somehow no one is supportive of such a policy.
And this guy is a liberal jerkwad because he sees some stupid flashgame and starts calling out "ohhhh, I'm offended.. ohhh It's racist.." Right there. Liberal. If people can rag on others' mother's mother for liking a particular video game console, I can sure has hell call this guy a liberal jerkwad.
MegaWatts @ Apr 19th 2006 7:47PM
Surprised there isnt one on Arab people.
Action Hank @ Apr 19th 2006 7:50PM
#17 Varian, Irish is a nationality. Looks like you got a bit confused yourself.
#5 jp007, "Shooting immigrants that come over the border by some is considered a ligitimate solution to our border security problems."
And those people are crazed and wrong.
dr love @ Apr 19th 2006 7:50PM
i myself am an mexican immigrant, i am not offended by this game, cause i know how stupid some people can be, but eventhough i find it very stereotypical i like the fact that it is making people aware of the immigraton issue
i just hope people dont start calling us "breeders" and treating us differently just because we are NOT AMERICAN CITZENS
jp007 @ Apr 19th 2006 7:55PM
23: Duh. Arabs aren't flooding over our southern borders to the point where a groups of private citizens have to take a stand and try to do the job our federal government won't do. Arguably one of the few responsibilities the government is REQUIRED to do, it won't, due to political pandering (or hispandering, if you will). This is not the case with Arabs. Arabs are really flooding into Europe, due to, you know, that whole geographical connection thing. Also, if you recall, those involved in 911 entered the country legally. "Border jumping" not required...
Sean DL @ Apr 19th 2006 7:59PM
"People who think it's their right to sue whenever they're offended by something are really starting to get on my nerves..."
Yeah, because offended people suing are always wrong...
Just like Brown vs The board of education...Wrong to sue because they were offended.
Josh @ Apr 19th 2006 8:01PM
I love this game but all you idiots obviously forget something called freedom of speech. The one who made this movie has every right to make it just like the KKK and black panthers have the right to march in the streets along with the illegal immagrants protesting saying they should have the right to do what they want in our country. And anyone who says illegal aliens should have any rights in our country ARE IDIOTS! They are no citizens, they robed your rights to come here and probably helped bring in drugs. but im sure you're all abunch of liberal drugies who want more. You people are the ones that need to be shot. but im sure joystiq will delete this cuase liberals only believe in rights and freedoms for themselves.
jp007 @ Apr 19th 2006 8:02PM
They may be crazed and wrong in your worldview, but in their view, YOU would be the one who is crazed and wrong. Personally, I agree with you, that in that I think shooting someone just because they walked over some immaginary line that politicans drew is wrong. I think it would be an effective policy to keep illegals out, but it would still be wrong. But I think it is also crazy to throw a hissyfit at because of some flashgame.
I think the MOST effective soluton would involved more focus on the corrupt Mexican government that fosters a shitty society in which people live in poverty and have to leave in order to support their families. I don't see Canadians flooding over the border and they have managed to piggyback on our rising wealth and military might pretty damn well. What's Mexico's problem?
Josh @ Apr 19th 2006 8:05PM
I ment game not movie, well theres my little rant and rave for anyone who thinks like the guy who is trying to sue the maker. yes I called out some people on early speculation but that only applys to them if im right.
jp007 @ Apr 19th 2006 8:06PM
Brown vs The board of education was about rights, not about simply "being offended."
ChronoZaga @ Apr 19th 2006 8:07PM
I hate racism, but I love freedom. You shouldn't be allowed to sue someone for hurting your feelings.
boots (former bd (former b)) @ Apr 19th 2006 8:08PM
"Frankly, I don't see this game as "racist" at all."
Then why the hell is there a Star of David in the american flag? Why are there three stereotypes for mexicans? By that statement, either you are a closet bigot (at best?) or you just plain don't get it (guess how would that classify you).
"No more than "kill the Cubans" or whatever in GTA"
When they say "Kill the Cubans", do they imply "kill everyone from the cuban race", or "Kill the Cuban mafia"? This supports the conclusion of how you aren't getting it.
This evidently racist game says "Kill all spics". These racist guys, "Deutschland" as an example, consider "mexican" everyone that lives in Latin America.
I bet "Deutschland" has never met a mexican before. (No, meeting is not the same as "being on the same line to get out of the supermarket").
"Hispanic is not a race. It is an ethnicity."
This game and racist ideologues imply by "hispanic" or "Spic" a "mestizo" or half-white half-indians, or simply indians.
"White is a race. Black is a race. Asian is a race."
That is a very subjective and ignorant claim. "Race" is a relative term. To some, race doesn't exist. To others, there are races within whites, blacks and Asians.
"If Hispanic is a race, then the Irish must also be a race. But who would be so absurd to confuse ethnicity and race?"
Irish could be a race to those that think that each separate "nation" is a race. Most irish are white people that come from the celts. Most hispanics (not spanyards) are a mix of native americans, spanyards, and a some moorish, sephardic and black blood.
"As for the whole "US stolen land and Mexico"...get over it already. How in the hell do you think civilizations were expanded and humanity evolved? Do you think that everything was pre-planned before everyone arrived?"
Well, this claim would justify the mexicans going to California, Texas, Arizona, etcetera. How in the hell do you think mexicans will expand and evolve then? Duh, get over it. Obviously that's not what I think, but if you want to argue against illegal immigrants, arguments like that won't help you.
America did steal part from Mexico, and land from the native americans. But that's also Mexico's fault for selling some of the lands for two cents.
Anyway, I'm all for letting a few immigrants (not all) to stay in the states with the status of *immigrants*, but treated as humans, not as rats. Let's just see how many we need, and send back all the pregnant women or women with kids, while letting highly-qualified professionals and people that do the hard work that americans don't want to do.
For the rest of mexicans, they should try to make their own country better, not America. Flooding to USA only hurts both countries.
Zanch @ Apr 19th 2006 8:11PM
Nothing is inherently offensive. People TAKE offense to certain things, but that should be their problem, not everyone else's. Something is only offensive if you allow it to be. I wish more people understood that instead of trying to censor everything they don't like.
Sabre @ Apr 19th 2006 8:11PM
"lso, if you recall, those involved in 911 entered the country legally."
But they became illegal when their visas expired.
"illegal immagrants protesting saying they should have the right to do what they want in our country."
Umm..."freedom of speech" is for CITIZENS of the country and not people who broke the laws to get here. They all should have been arrested for disrupting traffic and causing a disturbance. Hell...ALL the stupid politicians (including the backstabing Mayor of LA) should be arrested for not listening to the LEGAL citizens and enforcing the laws.
ZaBlanc @ Apr 19th 2006 8:15PM
> Shooting immigrants that come over the border by some is considered a ligitimate solution to our border security problems. It is not "racist" to enforce US laws.
So, you think killing a human being because they came to our wonderful country is legitimate?
Jesus Christ, not even the Minutemen say they intend on using their weapons. Get a grip on reality, dude.
You're disturbing.
JW @ Apr 19th 2006 8:24PM
How did the US "steal" land from Mexico when it paid for it even after gaining it militarily?
That's bloody retarded. I guess people don't understand history these days.
Furthermore, stereotypes exist for a reason. I hear stories all the time of women illegally entering the U.S. to give birth to their children (breeder?!). The drug trade flows from the south for the most part. And a lot of migrants refuse to assimilate (Mexican nationalist).
What's more, in Mexico, "illegal immigrants" are considered felons. Furthermore, the Mexican police shoot, coerce, and rob them.Talk about double-standards.
Finally, illegal immigrants DON'T have the rights of a citizen and NEVER SHOULD under the U.S. constitution. To think anything else is asanine.
We just need to build a wall on the border to stop the flow of people, drugs, and crime. There already is a wall around the official border crossing, so the precedent is already set.
elle @ Apr 19th 2006 8:25PM
Unlrelated, but I love the Google ads I get: "Immigrant ancestors? Find out when they came to America"; "Be A Border Patrol Agent"; "U.S. Immigration: Citizenship, Visas and Green Cards"; "Steiner Binoculars"; and the ubiquitous "Free Ringtones".
Is there any topic that _doesn't_ sell ringtones?
jp007 @ Apr 19th 2006 8:25PM
Actully, I didn't play the game, as I have no interest in shooting mexicans running across the border. Apparently, you do... So, I didn't see the Star of David flag...
Does the game tell you to kill every mexicans everywhere, or just those crossing the border. Do you enter Mexican villiages and start commiting genocide? Or do you sit on the American side and pick people off as they come across the border? Killing cuban gangsters and killing mexican border crossers. You're still killing criminals. Killing criminals is either bad, or it isn't. You can't have both.
I'll admit that "spic" is a pretty racist term. That wasn't mentioned in the summary, and as I said, I have no interest in playing the actual game. I don't think the 3 STEREOTYPES are examples of pure racism on their own though. They are just that, stereotypes. Stereotyping != racism no matter what any feel good, easily offended by everything, person tries to insist.
Steven @ Apr 19th 2006 8:42PM
That's freakin' hilarious!
Go back to Mexico, ya freakin' hippies!
This is America. Did you hear me? AMERICA. We speak ENGLISH. Learn it or leave.
boots (former bd (former b)) @ Apr 19th 2006 8:52PM
"How did the US "steal" land from Mexico when it paid for it even after gaining it militarily?"
Gaining territory militarily is stealing, dips. It doesn't matter who started the conflict. If someone crashes your car that doesn't give you permission to steal theirs. If somebody hits you in the head that doesn't give you permission to own his house. Territory taken by force is usually returned in exchange for peace, just like Israel has done with the arabs. United States has almost always kept the territories they've stolen. USA is a wonderful country but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its flaws.
"That's bloody retarded. I guess people don't understand history these days."
It's bloody retarded to consider "military gains" as "not stealing", just like downloading music on Napster, Kazaa, Imesh, Limewire, etcetera isn't stealing. I guess people don't like to feel responsible for their actions these days.
"Furthermore, stereotypes exist for a reason."
Name a useful one.
"I hear stories all the time of women illegally entering the U.S. to give birth to their children (breeder?!)."
Does that make every mexican women a breeder? Only for red necks.
" The drug trade flows from the south for the most part."
And I wonder... why is it that mexicans *don't* consume drugs as much as americans? Americans could put a stop to it by doing (or not doing) one thing: STOP CONSUMING. As simple as that. Economy 101. Once the demand for a good stops, production ends.
Sure, the product is illegal, but what makes you think there are no americans involved in crime? Oh I get it, because americans involved are "exceptions", while mexicans or other foreigners are "the rule".
"And a lot of migrants refuse to assimilate (Mexican nationalist)."
A lot of white people refuese to assimilate to other groups either. That's natural in EVERY race, nation, religion, ethnicity. Get over it.
"What's more, in Mexico, "illegal immigrants" are considered felons. Furthermore, the Mexican police shoot, coerce, and rob them.Talk about double-standards."
Again, all illegal immigrants are considered felons? Are they just considered felons for crossing the border? LOOK, HE IS A FELON, HE IS CROSSING THE BORDER TO ACTUALLY MAKE A DECENT LIVING FOR HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY!! SHOOT HIM!!
"Finally, illegal immigrants DON'T have the rights of a citizen and NEVER SHOULD under the U.S. constitution. To think anything else is asanine."
They are human and they deserve to be treated like humans. Criminal humans deserve to be treated like criminal humans, and not even all (nor most) mexican legal or illegal immigrants, nationalized, ethnics or otherwise are criminals.
"We just need to build a wall on the border to stop the flow of people, drugs, and crime. There already is a wall around the official border crossing, so the precedent is already set."
So what's the fucking problem then? There's already a wall, so stop bitching about breeders, miscegenation, etcetera.
Vincent @ Apr 19th 2006 8:57PM
Stereotyping is funny, usually. How many comedians, regardless of ethnicity, do you see on stage on major cable networks making fun of their own (and others'!) ethnicity based purely upon stereotypes?
Racism, however, is not funny. Not in the least. I'm a white male from the suburbs--not really affected by immigration issues--and even I found this game offensive. It's ridiculous and idiotic and bigotous--it goes as far as using racial slurs, showing the maturity of the author and his (or her?) racist agenda.
Navarette, however, is out of line and fighting a crusade that he won't win. There have been many, many cases of this nature in US history, and most rule in favor freedom of speech rather than the offended person's feelings. He should be more upset at the insensitive sod that e-mailed it to him in the first place, not the faceless developer who created the piece of crap.
However un-funny the 'game' might be, and however offensive it actually is to many, the author(s) had the right to create it, by law, and that right has been upheld many, many times. To sue them for exercising that right is to call into question some very basic principles and rights most people in the US exercise in one way or another on a daily basis. He can be offended all he wants, and shout and cry about the racism in the game, but nothing can be done about the fact that it was made.
qbix @ Apr 19th 2006 8:57PM
It's truly sad to see so much ignorance and hate in a lot of Joystiq readers. I hope that's not a demographic worth shooting for. It really shows how many of you just don't know any better than to criticize the struggle a lot of people have to endure to get a better life or even just to survive, and I'm not just talking about Mexicans. Really, a lot of you just don't seem to know any better. I'm not for banning games or suing because you don't agree with somebody else's opinion, but let's not be hypocritical here because I'm damn sure that if there was a game where the only goal was to crash an airplane into buildings full of Americans to rack up the body count (like #20 said), many of you would get offended and rant about it. I hope the fear driving a lot of people's opinions doesn't backfire because regardless of what you may think, immigration, whether legal or illegal is not going to stop and many of the people coming to the US will eventually get careers and positions which will give them the opportunity to make friends, start relationships, work along side, and educate your very own children. It is reality.
Gillean @ Apr 19th 2006 9:06PM
that's a tough game but not fun. I like kitty cannon better.
Gypsy @ Apr 19th 2006 9:16PM
ummm.... how about thinking about the problem itself?
We have a ton of people flooding over from mexico.
Why? Why do they want to be over here at the great risk that coming over here puts them instead of staying at their own country? theres not quite so many U.S. citizens trying to get across the border except for vacation......
and randomness about the wall idea, A hispanic student in my class tells us that many of the people he knows say "it doesnt matter how high the wall is, we'll still climb it"
Which sorta repeats itself into why on earth do they want to be in the U.S. so badly and why on earth do they want to leave Mexico? Can we do anything about that?
*disclaimer* I realize that we do have a ton of them here now and thats the large issue at hand, but stoopping it from going be beneficial yes?
SonicRift @ Apr 19th 2006 9:25PM
To #5, who said "American politics and policy should not be at the whims of a group of people WHO AREN'T even citizens, or even legal residents in the country".
If American politics DID change based on the whims of non citizens, US foreign policy would have changed September 12th, 2001.
Regardless, this sort of game is made with the intent on belittling a people.
There is a line, and these guys crossed it, whereas a show like South Park parks itself right on that line. I mean, its one thing to have a kid form a Passion gestapo and demand someone hand over his neckbound bags of Jew Gold, but it would be another thing to have characters going around actually killing Jews.
Sure, they killed Canadians in the movie, but there really isn't the same history of hate and violence there.
vazel @ Apr 19th 2006 9:26PM
hahahaha. My mom saw this on tv news and she's been bitching about it. I find it hilarious.
/self-loathing Mexican
Sabre @ Apr 19th 2006 9:47PM
"Stereotyping is funny, usually. How many comedians, regardless of ethnicity, do you see on stage on major cable networks making fun of their own (and others'!) ethnicity based purely upon stereotypes?"
Carlos Mencia...and he is god damn hilarious at it too.
@ qbix:
So b/c people don't want to try and make a difference in their damn country...we should allow them to enter our country ILLEGALLY, cut in front of all those who are going about the process LEGALLY, shutdown ERs around the country and fail to assimilate. Yea that makes sense...
You are right that illegal immigration will not stop but the freakin government would actually protect the borders, the Minutemen wouldn't have to volunteer their time.
Pince @ Apr 19th 2006 9:48PM
Wow, and all the little kitties' claws come out. Its nice that this was brought up as a topic, but the racism and the stupid liberal-bashing stuff that has come out of it is just sad. If you want to rant about your politics, go ahead. If you disagree with someone, by all means, disagree and make your point heard. Keep it related to the article and try to be at least a little mature about it. Have a little class, people. To those of you who have managed to conduct themselves in an intelligent and civil manner: Thank you.
With that said, yes, the game is racist and incredibly distasteful. But suing over it is just silly. Another waste of time and money in the judicial system.