Don't let fascists into your space (response to The DM Lair)
I shouldn’t need to explain that the ttrpg space (especially online) has a fascism problem. And it has for a long time. The WH40k fandom is full of people who are drawn to it’s incredibly fash aesthetics. The OSR especially has plenty of people who would fall under the umbrella of “alt-right”. If you think I’m wrong on that I recommend youtuber snow’s video “The Alt-Right in Tabletop Games” it gives plenty of examples of this.
Rather than talking about that though, I want to talk about our attitude towards the alt-right in our spaces, and why we need to stop giving them the time of day.
Yesterday, youtuber “The DM Lair” (I’m going to refer to them as TDML for short) uploaded a video titled “No, you are mistaken, misguided, and DEAD WRONG” The thumbnail of the video illuminates what the title is in reference to. A tweet that reads “If Vance has played Pathfinder, I want him to send his books back. No space for fascists in our game.” Personally, I think that’s a fair take. Sure it’s not like you’re actually going to get him to do that but the statement “No space for fascists in our game” is one I agree with.
TDML however, takes issue with this tweet, enough to post a video to his channel with 170K subscribers about it. In this video TDML explains that due to his christian beliefs, he thinks it’s important to be kind to everyone no matter how they may differ from him. He avoids saying the word “fascist” but what the point amounts to is “We must be inclusive of fascists”. I don’t take issue with TDML’s beliefs that he should be kind to everyone. What I take issue with is the fact that he is suggesting his 170k subscribers do the same.
No, do not tolerate fascists in your hobby. Remove them from your games, and make them feel unwelcome. Because if you don’t, you wind up with a fascist scene.
If you tolerate fascists in your space, then more and more fascists start appearing in your space, and suddenly it’s not so easy to get rid of them and you realise that your hobby has become a way for FASCISTS to socialise. Of course, JD Vance isn’t trying to get a foothold in the ttrpg community, but this attitude of “Be nice to the fascists, we’re the inclusive and tolerant ones” shows it’s face in front of real fascism in the scene.
Youtuber Indestructoboy also took the time to interview grim Jim (who’s avatar wears a hat with an iron cross on it). Time and time again I see people either fail to recognise fascists when they see them, or recognise them, and then try to calmly and respectfully disagree with them.
Philosophy Tube said it best, to paraphrase “When the antifascist wins, the fascist can’t spread hate, when the fascist wins, the antifascist is dead”. Do not welcome fascists in your spaces.