Gamer Girls

YA Herstory 

" I approached writing this book with a simple goal in mind:  to show girls that they can make video games.  Young girls, teenage girls, middle-aged girls, cis girls, trans girls, Black girls, Asian girls, mixed-race girls, people who aren't girls at all but are reading this book, girls who want to be bosses and girls who don't, girls who love math and girls who love art.  Any girl can be a game developer."

     Mary Kenney, author of Gamer Girls: 25 Women Who Built the Video Game Industry, a highly successful video game developer, was excited when she was invited to speak at a game design boot camp created for teenage girls.  After giving a talk she asked for questions and was alarmed when they all centered around Gamergate, an avalanche of threats and abuse targeted at developers from marginalized groups.

     "At the core of the Gamergate mob was a question about identity:  Who was allowed to be a "gamer," and who wasn't?  For a small but vocal and aggressive minority, it seemed that if you weren't a white, cis, able- bodied man, you weren't allowed to be part of games--either as a developer or player."

     Although really frustrated that this was the first thing that popped into their minds, she didn't side step the issue.  She knew that if she was in their shoes she'd be asking the same questions.  She presented the hardships and challenges within the context of all the aspects of her profession that make her feel that she's living the dream.

     With Gamer Girls Kenney reaches out to a larger audience with the candid stories of twenty-five diverse women in her field.  I was amazed how far back their involvement goes.  We're always hearing about millennials and generation Z.  Some of these women were born in the same decade I was.  I was also impressed with the wide range of roles they played and skills they rocked. 

     Kenney clearly wrote Gamer Girls to motivate and inspire.

     "This book is a collection of histories like Kazuko's: stories of the women who loved games enough to make them and whose lives became interwoven with a young, creative, explosive, thrilling business.  Who stared at computers and thought, 'But what if...?'  This book is an answer to the question 'Hasn't Gamergate made you want to quit? and why so many of us say 'No.'  The stories in this book are about passion, hope, resilience, optimism, and grit.  I hope, as you read this book, you see all of these qualities in them, and in your self."

     And I'm sure she'd agree that this holds true whether you're 15, 35, 55, 75, or anywhere between or beyond.

On a purrrsonal note, this wasn't the best weekend for me even though the weather was gorgeous.  My right leg still hurts on and off when I put weight on it.  It's been like that for a week and a half.  I know it's not a broken bone.  I can walk.  I was thinking I sprained or pulled something.  Now I'm also thinking pinched nerve which (according to the Mayo Clinic and they know their shit) can clear up with rest/heat/ice in 4-6 weeks.  But Tobago's got good news.  (Jules)

I won the best pet contest.  Only I passed on the prize so it went to a handsome cat named Lenny.  I know how awesome I am.  Don't need a prize to prove it.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to Lenny!  Way to go Big Guy!!!

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