Read on Twitter
*sigh* I'm seeing several example scenarios to defend why forming a team with diversity in mind is incorrect, and I have energy, so I'll break each example down to their fallacies. Buckle up for thread time 
https://twitter.com/HavanaRama/status/1355308912661159938
https://twitter.com/HavanaRama/status/1355308912661159938
1) Forming the best possible eSports team: 5 spots, of the 6 applicants, only 1 is non-white.
You are gathering ppl to a competitive space, so the first qualification should be ability/talent, not race...yes. However,
You are gathering ppl to a competitive space, so the first qualification should be ability/talent, not race...yes. However,
the glaring issue is why you didn't receive more applicants, and why no POCs showed up to tryout. As an esports team, your stakes involve notoriety and money, so this isn't about friends having fun. In addition to talent, you need a cohesive group that is sponsorable.
Diversity is only going to help you stand out of the myriad of white boys playing esports....let alone a diverse group that displays comradery & sportsmanship.
This example is least relevant to the original call to action, but also highlights how inaccessible the system is for non-white non-male ppl to enter nerd spaces that are professional.
2) People want to form a stream team.
A stream team requires at least one partnered Twitch account, and subsequent streamers to join. This is once again, a professional endeavor to promote mutual growth. The core principle guiding such an action isn't about friends having fun.
A stream team requires at least one partnered Twitch account, and subsequent streamers to join. This is once again, a professional endeavor to promote mutual growth. The core principle guiding such an action isn't about friends having fun.
Streaming means visibility. Having a platform, even if the content is fun & hobbyist in nature, is still public-facing. Agreeing to collaborate as a stream team means people will associate your names and faces to a brand.
It is irresponsible to treat the action of forming a stream team as just picking friends to collab with. Twitch already skews towards white male voices, so why would you want to curate a brand that represents what's already here?
Studies show how beneficial and innovative an equitable & diverse team can be compared to a team formed through convenience and internal biases.
We circle back to a core goal of a stream team is uplifting talent with common goals. Why does actively seeking and encouraging marginalized voices in this action sound wrong then? It sounds like the perfect way to enact mutual & equitable benefits.
Finally, the most on-topic example to OP:
3) Recruiting for a TTRPG stream channel
Playing a TTRPG is about friends having fun, for sure. But again, STREAMING those games is not simply about fun.
3) Recruiting for a TTRPG stream channel
Playing a TTRPG is about friends having fun, for sure. But again, STREAMING those games is not simply about fun.
So many TTRPG channels fall flat bc they market themselves as friends making stories, but never want to answer the question, "WHY are we streaming?"
If they're really honest, the reasons will be some mix of the following desires:
1) To monetize a hobby bc you think your group is entertaining.
2) To gain a fanbase who Celebrates & enjoys your talents.
3) To help spread awareness about TTRPGs as a hobby & grow the space.
1) To monetize a hobby bc you think your group is entertaining.
2) To gain a fanbase who Celebrates & enjoys your talents.
3) To help spread awareness about TTRPGs as a hobby & grow the space.
Content creation is hard, and monetizing it specifically thru TTRPGs is even more challenging. The logistics behind producing an enjoyable & quality TTRPG stream for an audience is largely inaccessible.
TTRPGs as a hobby is still considered white nerd shit to the average BIMPOC demographics. Hell, I never thought I'd belong here until, WAIT, I saw other folks like me. I saw streams with BIMPOC, queer, neurodivergent, disabled ppl, and it was a glorious lightbulb moment.
So yeah, I truly believe that prioritizing and explicitly recruiting marginalized voices to come be at publicly consumable tables is critical. It's not "diversity for diversity's" sake.
It's growing the industry and welcoming new & wonderfully creative people.
It's growing the industry and welcoming new & wonderfully creative people.
I think this is where I end my main thread.
But I will ping the voices that spoke loudest against Vana in her thread, in good faith. I'll spare my time for you to have the open discussion you say you desire. @TenaciousWarden @Gwydion_Wolf
But I will ping the voices that spoke loudest against Vana in her thread, in good faith. I'll spare my time for you to have the open discussion you say you desire. @TenaciousWarden @Gwydion_Wolf
