From Women Hate
To Gamergate
Do We Truly Strive for Progress?
“My dear brethren, never forget, when you hear the progress of wisdom vaunted, that the cleverest ruse of the Devil is to persuade you he does not exist.”
The Hex The Matrix series was born from a need to address and understand the complexities and challenges within the gaming community, particularly those faced by women. This collection of resources draws inspiration from Charles Baudelaire’s quote above.
This series seeks to illuminate the hidden shadows that persist within our community. Baudelaire’s astute reflection serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration. It underscores the importance of recognizing the subtle and often insidious forces at play in our lives—forces that can distort our perception of progress and truth.
In the realm of gaming, these forces have manifested in various forms, most notably during the events of Gamergate, where a fierce backlash against inclusivity and gender equity emerged, targeting many, including myself. As a woman in gaming, my experience during the Gamergate controversy was marked by hostility and harassment, reflecting deeper societal issues that extend beyond the gaming industry.
The quote by Baudelaire resonates profoundly with my journey, as it encapsulates the strategy employed by those who wish to dismiss or undermine the struggles faced by marginalized groups. The Devil, in this narrative, symbolizes not only the overt antagonism but also the subtler, more deceptive arguments that seek to legitimize toxicity and discourage progress.
Through the Hex The Matrix™ series, I aim to take back the narrative, transforming a personal battle into a broader dialogue about empowerment, resilience, and the pursuit of wisdom within our digital spaces.