Risto Karin Strain s blog
Handling sensitive topics is often difficult. Their avoidance of games is not the right path.
At the time of writing rampant surging at the University of Helsinki -kohu Star of Africa has sparked a lot of questions about how Africa and Africans are allowed to present games. At the same time, there is much more sensational examples of the processing of slavery, especially Puerto Rico, which is BoardGameGeekin rankings of the world 30 best board game.
on plantations and commerce
This is the name Set in the Caribbean in accordance with the theme of the game, where players accumulate points in production and commerce. Plantations producing different kinds of raw materials, which are further processed and shipped to Europe. Mechanics is excellent, and the ranking of the success is not really pie in the sky. Appearing in 2002, it was Carcassonnen addition to one of the most important games of the euro that developed key publications.
However, certain details are left untreated. One of the key mechanics of production optimization is kiikuttaminen workers in Puerto Rico and their employment in the mines and plantations. The rule book says that labor in settlers , represented by the browns game pieces. These workers is not the real meaning remains unclear to anyone, but Puerto Rico manages to circumvent the topic in a way that can not be regarded as the 20th century no longer stylish.
Resources are moving ships to the east, hard-working settlers to the west.
on the subject and topic around
Colonialism and minority rights were not strangers themes twenty years ago. It is difficult to assess why slavery was chosen to sweep under the carpet completely. As well as game mechanics that theme fully reveal that it is based on the slave system manager sport industry. However, the owner s manual or other materials do not mention a word about slavery, or dark-skinned people.
This is just conjecture, but probably it is a kind of political correctness. Manage slaves and take over the European market! would not have gone through even at the beginning of the millennium. It is, however, a peculiar compromise to leave the whole thing untreated – now Puerto Ricon basis one could imagine really rely on plantations with wheels of a European settlers and salary workers.
On the other hand even more frustrating it would be if colonialism or slavery would not be able to deal with the theme at all – I do not know ottaisiko in the current debate on environment no risk of such a theme of your choice. Puerto Rico is not teaching the game, the aim of which would be to teach his players in history, but it is entirely for entertainment and competitive spirit uplifting release. However, it is a missed opportunity that the slave trade realities is not possible to learn anything. Excessive subtlety unfortunately hit himself in the foot.
And then nää may go to work tupakkaplantaasille.
What about the Afrikan tähti ?
It would be all fertile, if it would be possible to learn from history. Sensitive themes dealing with the games it is possible to put a page or two themes dealing with additional content. Several Neutral publication of such information can be found, and I have been able to learn such a Portuguese ceramics as a French fortress architecture.
Afrikan tähti getting to be a pretty old game mechanics work so as illustrations. More active lautapelurille luck-based dice throwing is not in the long run be very interesting, so the board will be digging out mainly nostalgia from and for family reasons. On the other hand its impact on Finnish culture should not be downplayed – to this day the board illustration influence people s perceptions of Africa. Yliräikeä remakes removed the illustrations from pöhköimmät mud huts, even though I m not entirely sure why Caucasian bandit had to change the leopard.
However that did not get anywhere, that Afrikan tähti is quite colonial release. It shows Africa as the 50th century saw the – the Western person s treasure trove, where precious stones kiikutettiin royal jewelery. This is good to say out loud – but it is not the reason why Afrikan tähden should stop playing. This is an unofficial national board game where it is necessary to understand it to be a product of his times. Especially for the youngest family must be explained that Africa was seen as really exotic country as part of which the world s most valuable resources to plunder.
In fact, there is a material touch of a misunderstanding, as an exchange student concern primarily the alleged slavery processing. Afrika s Star not really within the slavery, even though the Slave Coast box could end up to lose the shifts. Instead, it includes resources for robbing and contemporary exposure to unnecessary outdated exotherms. Africa is not a huge Saviikylä, but a hard growing economic area. So what if you stop the barking of each other, you will continue playing and at the same time raising people s understanding of the dark history of Africa and an interesting current state? New version is shockingly blatant.