Changing skin colour

[UglyMonsterFace]

As someone who is black, you make your character how you want.
Personally it does not rub me the wrong way as long as there is no racist intent behind it.

and besides, i've been playing with a lighter skin tone in previous Animal Crossing titles for YEARS, and that's not how I look at all. I say you do you as long as you're being respectful about it <3

I really appreciate that thank you ❤

 

[helloxcutiee]

Unless your character is supposed to be a representation of yourself I don't think it really matters it's kind of like creating a sim in a way. As long as there's no ill intent behind it I think it's fine.

 

[Carole]

The character in the game doesn't have to be YOU so do what YOU like.
I mean this is a game that sells you all kinds of clothing from different regions as well as egg hats and dog noses to wear for goodness sake!
Let's not be too harsh on ourselves. I don't see why it should be offensive for me to have a darker-skinned character if I'm white or vice versa just the same way I'd be completely fine with a male being a female character in the game or vice versa.

+1

My character's appearance is rarely very much like mine at all! I also never name my character after me.

In real life, I have the lightest of light skin tones, light blue eyes, and white hair (that used to be brown back in the day). I have two islands and one of my characters has red-brown hair, green eyes, and somewhat light skin (see my avatar). The character on my other island has blond hair, gray eyes, and much darker, very tan skin since I see her as sort of a surfer girl. The secondary character that I began on my first island is a boy with the reddest of red hair, brown eyes, and medium skin. So, none of them look like me and one is even a boy.

To me, one of the fun things about Animal Crossing is being able to look different than oneself. It's also fun to try having a different name. It's a different life that I like to escape to.

 

[Sheando]

it does rub me the wrong way when non-dark skinned people use dark skin tones. dark skin isn't an aesthetic and shouldn't be treated like one - in real life, people with dark skin can't just close the game and be done being dark-skinned. they have to face the unfortunate realities of colorism, racism, etc. that come with having dark skin. for a lot of people with dark skin, it's exhausting to see people using their skin tone as an aesthetic and not having to face the real-life consequences of actually having dark skin.

i know it's "just a game" and people are ultimately free to do what they want with their characters, but just my two cents.

This is what I’ve considered as well. I’m white, and my player character in AC is as well for this reason. Where I see a little more of a gray area is the fact that if I have multiple towns, or multiple characters on an island, I don’t see them as extensions of myself in any way (I want to eventually make a few secondary characters for my current island to add to the building variety)—they feel more like characters in a simple story I’m creating or something like that. I enjoy creating a wide range of characters of different genders and skin tones and it feels weird to say “every person in this village must be white!” That makes me a little uncomfortable too? I don’t want to play with “putting on” darker skin just for fashion or something, but it makes me a little uneasy to actively avoid representing people of color in my video game creations as well. If I’m playing as mini-me I play as white, but if I’m designing a bustling city it feels more appropriate to have diversity, if that makes sense?

Anyway I think about this a lot.

 

[sleepydreepy]

it does rub me the wrong way when non-dark skinned people use dark skin tones. dark skin isn't an aesthetic and shouldn't be treated like one - in real life, people with dark skin can't just close the game and be done being dark-skinned. they have to face the unfortunate realities of colorism, racism, etc. that come with having dark skin. for a lot of people with dark skin, it's exhausting to see people using their skin tone as an aesthetic and not having to face the real-life consequences of actually having dark skin.

i know it's "just a game" and people are ultimately free to do what they want with their characters, but just my two cents.

this is really well said and how I feel about it. it makes me a little uncomfortable when people change their skin tone to something that they are not in animal crossing, but I also understand your point, OP. this is a really complicated issue, because it is "just a game" after all, and if people like you are innocently appreciating skin tone for its appearance like hair color, its not really harming anyone (especially since it is in a virtual world and not real life).

edit: I've been reading more people's responses, and its interesting that some people play as an OC rather than themselves, this idea never occurred to me!

 

[chainosaur]

I think it's all about intent, but also how you see your character in the first place. My rep, Dino, is not 100% me to a T. She's more like a distant extension of myself. She's like a blank canvas, a muse to express myself. As an artist I find that all skin tones are beautiful. I frequently do color studies and seek out the various gorgeous undertones in skin tones and what compliments them best. Aesthetic in it of itself is not bad, I think seeking out ways to amplify the beauty of skin whether through clothes, hair or makeup is great. I feel like appreciating different skin tones through Animal Crossing I think is harmless. As a mixed POC, of course I have had my fair share of less-than-stellar experiences IRL, but I try to keep that separate from my consumption of media if I can.

If you are not changing your in-game skin tone with the intent to harm or mock others, then it is okay, in my personal opinion. However, everyone's opinions on this matter can vary and I can respect that. No one person's experiences are universal and what is okay to one person may not be okay to someone else.

 

[Khte]

The first thing I would like to note is that I am white. White as white can be. That being said, I can not be the voice of reason for POC because I am not. Still, I will give my two cents on the matter from what I've learned over the years.

The thing most POC seem to be against is NOT people picking their skin tones in a video game, but using their culture in RL- IE boxbraids, their dance style, their clothing- things that came from them that white people (or people who aren't black) are using without having the struggles of being black. This is a whole 'nother topic, but important nonetheless in this situation. In a video game, it is different- you aren't TRYING to be black, you aren't TRYING to use their culture; you are making a character.

Perhaps I come from a different viewpoint on it, but I equate making a character on a video game the same as making a character in a story. Because I am white, does that mean I can not make any other race in my story? I feel that using a skin tone darker than your own in a video game is nothing offensive. I was worried about it too whenever I was making my characters (My ESO character is dark-skinned as well). You are not your character. Make your character how you like.

 

[potpourri]

As a Black person, I don't personally care if someone uses a darker skin tone if that character isn't a representation of themselves. I usually make my AC player character a totally separate character, but they match my skin tone most of the time anyways because that's just how I like to make characters! (Thank goodness I don't have to sit outside and wait to tan anymore.)

I personally have zero idea how you look, so I wouldn't be able to say anything one way or the other! I think having good intent is always nice, but it's always good to consider the social and personal connotations it may carry. We're not a monolith, so I really can't speak for everyone, but I think it's only jarring if you're using a significantly darker tone to represent yourself! That's just me though.

 

[peachp1t]

im white so im not trying to talk over any poc, but the general consensus for slice-of-life games like this seems to be that if its supposed to be you exactly, its usually best make it as close to your race as possible. there are really really big issues surrounding the aestheticization of poc and darker skintones, so a good rule of thumb is to make your self-insert your race.
if its not supposed to be you, go wild babey!!! as long as youre not using racist stereotypes youre good my guys <3

 

[DinoTown]

The number of people who play as a character rather than trying to create themselves is so high that telling people that they can't have a dark-skinned AC player because they are white is pretty much the same thing as telling white authors to stop including non-white characters in their stories.

For the record, there's no harm in it whatsoever. If someone comes to your island to play, to trade, and it just so happens that their character has dark skin, what changes if you later find out that in reality, that person is white? Nothing, absolutely nothing changes.

Games like Animal Crossing exist for the sole purpose of escapism and being able to make your own world exactly the way you want. If that involves playing as a character whose race does not match yours, go for it. You paid for the game and if anyone legitimately tries to tell you that you can't choose your own skin tone in that game, that is some of the most ridiculous gatekeeping I've ever heard.

 

[peachp1t]

i think non-poc dont get to decide if its harmful or not, personally. we wouldnt be being harmed
anyways i dont think anyones really saying "dont do that!!" more "be careful and do it respectfully" <3

(also im not talking to anyone specifically there, just stating an opinion on it generally!! dont want to assume anyones race, its impolite)

 

[EtchaSketch]

I've literally met Sooo many racist/prejudice black people that absolutely despise white people. Especially on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram its really toxic honestly. My own black father is racist himself he told me specifically that if I ever get married one day to a white guy that he would disown me and not go to my wedding. But people think that they cant be racist/prejudiced because of a history of oppression.

Isn’t it so disgusting how parents can be like this to their own children, and have these views about people who are innocent and cannot control what they look like?

I grew up in a very racist household, unfortunately. It makes me sick. I never want to be that way. My mom told me the exact same thing, except replace white with black. Because I grew up in a sheltered household with limited access to the outside world and the internet and was forced to surround myself with these views, I‘m STILL learning how to be the most respectable and loving (towards ALL people, no matter their race/culture/etc) that I can be.

Because of this, and being very white/pale, I find myself walking on eggshells because I’m scared to say/do something wrong. Like I WANT to learn, and I want to be the most respectful and loving and accepting that I can be but I’ve had experiences where people have threatened me because I’m white and they automatically think I’m racist (it’s a long story) and it makes it really hard for me to understand and get better. I really do want to be better.

 

[peachp1t]

Isn’t it so disgusting how parents can be like this to their own children, and have these views about people who are innocent and cannot control what they look like?

I grew up in a very racist household, unfortunately. It makes me sick. I never want to be that way. My mom told me the exact same thing, except replace white with black. Because I grew up in a sheltered household with limited access to the outside world and the internet and was forced to surround myself with these views, I‘m STILL learning how to be the most respectable and loving (towards ALL people, no matter their race/culture/etc) that I can be.

Because of this, and being very white/pale, I find myself walking on eggshells because I’m scared to say/do something wrong. Like I WANT to learn, and I want to be the most respectful and loving and accepting that I can be but I’ve had experiences where people have threatened me because I’m white and they automatically think I’m racist (it’s a long story) and it makes it really hard for me to understand and get better. I really do want to be better.

not to be a sjw, but this is just predjudice, not racism. racism is tied to oppression, while us white people are still the oppressors and not the oppressed.
i think generally its justified and valid for poc to be wary and cautious around all white people, especially white they dont know. im not of the opinion that all non-poc are racist, just that we are part of a system of oppression and are brought up in generally racist societies. im a texan with very accepting and extremely un-racist parents, but absolutely disgusting racist grandparents on both sides. the difference between my parents and grandparents is their choice not to be part of racism that was absolutely ingrained in them by the gross southern environment they grew up in.
also, as someone whos lived in majority poc places his whole life and more than once was the only white person in my entire school and neighborhood, i find it very hard to believe they threatened you exclusively for being white. im not saying youre racist or you antagonized them, just i personally find that extremely unbelievable, especially with your admitted racist household. i also find it unfair for you to take a few bad examples of people disliking you for being of a race that has oppressed them for millennia and use it as a way to say all poc immediately find you racist.

 

[DinoTown]

not to be a sjw, but this is just predjudice, not racism. racism is tied to oppression, while us white people are still the oppressors and not the oppressed.

Racism has nothing to do with oppression. Racism is prejudice, racism literally is the name given to the version of prejudice based on skin colour.

Post automatically merged: May 6, 2020

Also I agree with the rest of what you said - just not that racism and prejudice are different things. They are the same thing. Racism is just a certain type of prejudice.

 

[peachp1t]

Racism has nothing to do with oppression. Racism is prejudice, racism literally is the name given to the version of prejudice based on skin colour.

actually racism is usually tied to discrimination and oppression, specifically discrimination justified on the belief that another race is superior to the other. unless you have some facts i dont about rampant anti-white hate crimes that somehow outdo the years of systemic oppression of poc, its just prejudice.

also either way, poc being cautious and uncomfortable around white people is not racism. we kill and oppress them and have since we decided we're better than them because we have less melanin.

 

[DinoTown]

actually racism is usually tied to discrimination and oppression, specifically discrimination justified on the belief that another race is superior to the other. unless you have some facts i dont about rampant anti-white hate crimes that somehow outdo the years of systemic oppression of poc, its just prejudice.

Racism isn't tied to oppression, just discrimination.
If you really wanna go down that route, unless you have some facts I don't about the definition as in the literal definition of racism being something other than "prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior", then it's still racism. Because the definition says nothing about oppression. Just prejudice and discrimination. Disowning your child because they married someone of another race is definitely discrimination based on race. It's racism.

 

[peachp1t]

Racism isn't tied to oppression, just discrimination.
If you really wanna go down that route, unless you have some facts I don't about the definition as in the literal definition of racism being something other than "prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior", then it's still racism. Because the definition says nothing about oppression. Just prejudice and discrimination. Disowning your child because they married someone of another race is definitely discrimination based on race. It's racism.

i never said thats not discrimination, it is discrimination. its not racism. i know this may be hard to believe, but an online and dictionary definition of racism that was most likely written by white people may not be the best definition of racism.
the thing is, there arent slurs against white people. (no, "cracker" or "whitey" dont count.) poc dont commit mass-hate crimes against white people. they dont systematically oppress us the way we do them.
maybe your need for things to be racist against you is part of why poc might avoid you if thats an issue you have.

 

[DinoTown]

i never said thats not discrimination, it is discrimination. its not racism. i know this may be hard to believe, but an online and dictionary definition of racism that was most likely written by white people may not be the best definition of racism.
the thing is, there arent slurs against white people. (no, "cracker" or "whitey" dont count.) poc dont commit mass-hate crimes against white people. they dont systematically oppress us the way we do them.
maybe your need for things to be racist against you is part of why poc might avoid you if thats an issue you have.

It is racism though. The definition of racism is discrimination based on skin colour. You don't need a slur to exist for it to be classed as racism.
Also I love how you just assumed I'm a white person and that POC avoid me. You don't know anything about me, who says I'm not a black person here telling you that racism against white people is still racism?

 

[EtchaSketch]

not to be a sjw, but this is just predjudice, not racism. racism is tied to oppression, while us white people are still the oppressors and not the oppressed.
i think generally its justified and valid for poc to be wary and cautious around all white people, especially white they dont know. im not of the opinion that all non-poc are racist, just that we are part of a system of oppression and are brought up in generally racist societies. im a texan with very accepting and extremely un-racist parents, but absolutely disgusting racist grandparents on both sides. the difference between my parents and grandparents is their choice not to be part of racism that was absolutely ingrained in them by the gross southern environment they grew up in.
also, as someone whos lived in majority poc places his whole life and more than once was the only white person in my entire school and neighborhood, i find it very hard to believe they threatened you exclusively for being white. im not saying youre racist or you antagonized them, just i personally find that extremely unbelievable, especially with your admitted racist household. i also find it unfair for you to take a few bad examples of people disliking you for being of a race that has oppressed them for millennia and use it as a way to say all poc immediately find you racist.

You’re taking what I said completely wrong?

Never once did I said that I think all POC immediately find me racist, ever. go back and read. I also never said that they were being racist against me, so go back and read AGAIN. Putting words in people’s mouths and assuming isn’t a good look.

I have had so many good, great, AMAZING experiences with POC and never in my life would I imply, assume, or flat-out say that they are all racist. Ever. I was bringing up ONE example of when I moved in with a roommate who explicitly said that she wants to k*ll me because I’m white. You can’t tell me that that isn’t valid because you weren’t there.

I don’t dislike her because she’s a POC, and I understand her being wary, I never said I didn’t. I never even brought up that point, actually. The part I don’t like is that she hadn’t said a word to me and automatically wanted to hurt me.

She doesn’t stand for the majority, OBVIOUSLY. That would be absolutely insane. That’s just a stupid thing to assume that I was saying.

If you go back and read, I was saying that I walk on eggshells because I’m uneducated in certain aspects and want to learn how to be better. I brought up her in the statement to go off of the person I was replying to’s post, but not at all to say she was like all POC.

 

[naranjita]

It is racism though. The definition of racism is discrimination based on skin colour. You don't need a slur to exist for it to be classed as racism.
Also I love how you just assumed I'm a white person and that POC avoid me. You don't know anything about me, who says I'm not a black person here telling you that racism against white people is still racism?

even if you went by the dictionary definition (which, as peachp1t said, isn't fair, because the dictionary definition was written by white people), comparing the discrimination that black people have faced and still face (slavery, segregation, much more likely to be imprisoned for small crimes, much more likely to face police brutality, workplace discrimination, housing discrimination) to the "discrimination" that white people face from black people (one anecdote of a black dad telling his daughter not to marry a white man? jokes about white people being bad dancers and eating bland food?) is honestly a little bit insulting.