Pokémon gives tone deaf response to BLM protests as Nintendo stays silent

NinjaBoiX · Jun 2, 2020

Meh, I guess it's a bit lame but "oh my god, this is so shameful, unacceptable", is going well off the deep end.

B. Spaceman said:
You guys should put less value in what corporations say about social issues, you know

Also this.

As someone else said, it's usually easy brownie points and nothing more.

AdamE · Jun 2, 2020

Bobo Dakes said:
Message from corp = bad.
Silence = good.
Is starting to become my takeaway from this. We already went over the whole "silence is complicity" thing. That very message is what's causing people to make an effort this time around, speaking up, donating, sharing links on where you can donate.

In Nintendo's case, we've heard from their direct competition as well as their own employees and you're sitting here going "well why do you want to hear from them?" to what purpose if your default is just gonna be "well it's for PR".

Okay, so let me lay it out. These protests are the ever growing results of decades, and centuries of injustice. They're in the news now, but in a week or two, it'll mostly be forgotten, until the next Black person get's murdered by cops on video.

The messages (or exact same message being copied, with the replacement of said company logo) that are currently being spread around may provide some positivity, but what will it actually do in the long run? The message is fine. It's a default fucking position to be perfectly frank, because "let's treat black people fairly" shouldn't need to be -expressed-.

I'd understand if companies were all on a donating binge, like donating to the BLM/NAACP or other organisations, or they'd all be calling out cops etc but they won't because they are ruled under a neoliberal system that doesn't care about the plight of black people.
But if companies were doing all that, and Nintendo sat idly, i'd get it.

Does "silence is complicity" apply to -everyone-? Virtually every company out there making these tweets are complicit in someways. So not only is it meaningless PR, it's also vastly hypocritical.

I just find it pointless to expect or demand or pithy message from a company. Give me action.

So no, i don't think message is bad, silence is good. I'm saying both are meaningless. Because companies operate to generate revenue, and they in essence do not care about the plight of black people, so whatever they tweet out is meaningless.

Plus, most game companies have a fucking horrible track record when it comes to representation of black people, as well as hiring black people, I've worked in the games industry for nearly 10 years, and i've probably come across like.. three black employees. So i hope you understand where i'm actually coming from.

Deleted member 4034 · Jun 2, 2020

AdamE said:
Okay, so let me lay it out. These protests are the ever growing results of decades, and centuries of injustice. They're in the news now, but in a week or two, it'll mostly be forgotten, until the next Black person get's murdered by cops on video.

The messages (or exact same message being copied, with the replacement of said company logo) that are currently being spread around may provide some positivity, but what will it actually do in the long run? The message is fine. It's a default fucking position to be perfectly frank, because "let's treat black people fairly" shouldn't need to be -expressed-.

I'd understand if companies were all on a donating binge, like donating to the BLM/NAACP or other organisations, or they'd all be calling out cops etc but they won't because they are ruled under a neoliberal system that doesn't care about the plight of black people.
But if companies were doing all that, and Nintendo sat idly, i'd get it.

Does "silence is complicity" apply to -everyone-? Virtually every company out there making these tweets are complicit in someways. So not only is it meaningless PR, it's also vastly hypocritical.

I just find it pointless to expect or demand or pithy message from a company. Give me action.

So no, i don't think message is bad, silence is good. I'm saying both are meaningless. Because companies operate to generate revenue, and they in essence do not care about the plight of black people, so whatever they tweet out is meaningless.

And I already told you I'm not demanding a comment, but I am making note of their silence because it stands out amongst their contemporaries and employees.

Everything else you're saying just comes off as tired cynicism for the sake of it. And there's nothing to gain from arguing against others wanting them to post. And theres nothing with wanting them to post.

AdamE · Jun 2, 2020

Bobo Dakes said:
And I already told you I'm not demanding a comment, but I am making note of their silence because it stands out amongst their contemporaries and employees.

Everything else you're saying just comes off as tired cynicism for the sake of it. And there's nothing to gain from arguing against others wanting them to post. And theres nothing with wanting them to post.

It's not cynicism. I just don't care what corporations think of this situation. And i'm baffled that so many do.

Sedated · Jun 2, 2020

Apart from posts from them id more like to see donations. They make a lot, give some back to help the people they profit from?

jblanco · Jun 2, 2020

I'm not here to defend Nintendo, but just a heads up ppl...

Nintendo has said in the past they don't get into politics. So I wouldn't expect a response from them.

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

Menx64 · Jun 2, 2020

I understand people want Nintendo to say something, and I will not deny that I agree they should, but for me I love that I can see the faces behind a name saying out loud what they support and know the company has their backs.

MoonToon · Jun 2, 2020

... The fuck is this? A Black character fist bumping a Japanese child on a 1 sec loop?

Can't even bother to make a compilation of all the black people in the Pokemon anime (For GF to be stuck as FUCK with pushing the series forward they are shockingly good with adding ethnic diversity) with a "You matter" at the end to stay decently "unpolitical" by not invoking the words BLM?

Just some fist bump and a ... tan or brown heart?

Like, if that's the best you can post then you might as well just not post anything ... cause it's basically nothing. I'm sure Disney's Robotic baseline statement released by all their studios took more effort than a 1 sec gif.

mantidor · Jun 2, 2020

Honest question, has Nintendo ever done Pride anything in these last few years? specially now that everyone and their mother do something, to the point it stopped being political and now is just marketing.

Giga Man · Jun 2, 2020

If you follow Bill Trinen on Twitter, you'll know he supports the movement. Hearing from the individuals working at Nintendo means more to me than a company post. If there are any others, I'd love to see them.

VitalitySensor · Jun 2, 2020

mantidor said:
Honest question, has Nintendo ever done Pride anything in these last few years? specially now that everyone and their mother do something, to the point it stopped being political and now is just marketing.

They participate in pride parades if that counts.

TheYanger · Jun 2, 2020

Literally just don';t tweet anything if you don't actually care. is it that complicated?

BlueRose · Jun 2, 2020

jblanco said:
I'm not here to defend Nintendo, but just a heads up ppl...

Nintendo has said in the past they don't get into politics. So I wouldn't expect a response from them.

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

Yet Nintendo has participated in pride marches?

SuperFakerBros · Jun 2, 2020

VitalitySensor said:
They participate in pride parades if that counts.

That's more so their employees than the company itself, I'd imagine, unless that was also pushed by the higher ups. It's good to see some of their folk do support moral movements but, as a company, for better or worse, Nintendo just doesn't comment on this sorta stuff

texhnolyze · Jun 2, 2020

jblanco said:
I'm not here to defend Nintendo, but just a heads up ppl...

Nintendo has said in the past they don't get into politics. So I wouldn't expect a response from them.

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

VitalitySensor said:
They participate in pride parades if that counts.

Well, that didn't age well.

SuperFakerBros said:
That's more so their employees than the company itself. It's good to see some of their folk do support moral movements but, as a company, for better or worse, Nintendo just doesn't comment on this sorta stuff

The employees literally bring up the banner with company logo in it.

SuperFakerBros · Jun 2, 2020

texhnolyze said:
The employees literally bring up the banner with company logo in it.

Sorry, was still editing. I'd imagine that was something that was pushed through by the employees rather than by, say, the directors or whatever. I don't remember their own official social media pages saying anything. If they did, then, yeah, their silence here really stands out and raises some eyebrows

jblanco · Jun 2, 2020

BlueRose said:
Yet Nintendo has participated in pride marches?

I see, I didn't know they had so quickly changed their posture.

AlexFlame116 · Jun 2, 2020

What's more baffling than the Pokemon post are the amount of people in this very thread who continue to somehow be against the idea that a corporation should at least do the bare minimum by acknowledging what's going on at the moment.

"Pokemon is for kids!"
"...why do they need to do anything at all?"
"Yeah well what's company A doing huh? Why aren't you guys mad at them too?"
"I hate all this pointless drama"
"ResetEra overreacting as always"

It's like people have become so cynical that they can't comprehend the idea that while acknowledging it doesn't contribute much, it still helps in a way. It brings attention. It makes children notice. And it pisses off more right wingers and racists which is the cherry on top.

Akainu · Jun 2, 2020

Firestorm said:
This thread is fuckin' wild knowing who is behind the Pokémon Twitter account.

Who?

Mimosa · Jun 2, 2020

I HOPE Nintendo's silence is due to going through 500 steps of validation for a PR statement like some companies are doing and not a hope to be "non political"

But wtf Pokemon lol. I wish Twitter had a dislike button

Atheerios · Jun 2, 2020

Pokémon will reveal news about the upcoming expansion in around 4 hours. Of course Nintendo and Pokémon accounts will talk about it for a couple hours at least.

But it will be right in the middle of #BlackoutTueday, that will definitely generate some reactions.

Sea lion · Jun 2, 2020

What so some Japanese kid is friends with a Hawaiian kid?

It'd be cool if Nintendo made a kick ass montage of all it's black characters but wait they have like 2.

Arkanim94 · Jun 2, 2020

unsurprised, but disappointed.

Punished Dan · Jun 2, 2020

I wouldn't expect anything more from Nintendo, unless NOE or NOA do something specifically but I'm not sure they have that kind of jurisdiction.

The stuff in Smash is still there, yes it came out of Japan but NOE and NOA stayed silent on the matter. You'd hope they fed something back on the matter but what sway they hold is another matter.

JakeNoseIt said:
All Officer Jennys are bastards

Ngl, I chuckled.

Heropon_ · Jun 2, 2020

Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

Herb Alpert · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

But companies try to make us believe they are a tangible entity with values and all.
Marketing.

Though sometimes (like what's happening now) it's better that nothing and it even pisses off morons.

crimilde · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

What? Have you seen the Facebook and React Native employees walk out in protest because of what their company is *NOT* doing?

Companies are literally a part of society.
Anyone hired by such a company is aware that the views of the company do not necessarily represent the views of their employees, and vice-versa. Company culture is a real thing, and it includes ethical and social views. Imagine wanting to work for a company who doesn't support human rights, inclusivity and equality.

No-one is "forcing" companies to comment, but we can sure as hell judge them when they're being silent.

Obsonet · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

Yeah why the fuck anyone gives a shit what a company has to say at something like this makes no sense to me

Twenty7kvn · Jun 2, 2020

Herb Alpert said:
But companies try to make us believe they are a tangible entity with values and all.
Marketing.

Though sometimes (like what's happening now) it's better that nothing and it even pisses off morons.

And this why we shouldn't believe them when post support when it's easy for them to do. Pissing off a few internet racist isn't going to change shit that's meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Aleh · Jun 2, 2020

Akainu said:
Who?

@princessology on Twitter, she's a black woman who has been very vocal about the situation, has likely taken part into the decision behind this tweet (she retweeted it on her own account), I think people saying they just made it to score easy points don't get that. Could and should they have done more? Absolutely, but it's far from a tone deaf response made by people who don't care.

Meriadock · Jun 2, 2020

Hu3 said:
so because Nintendo made a black anthropomorphic character it's ok for them to be tone deaf to a pressing matter Affecting an entire nation right now and they are not even doing the bare minimum. Ok got it.

I know you are angry right now, but that's not what I've said.

I'm just saying that they're supporting the cause with real actions by making these characters. Even before BLM. And I do believe they will say something, as i do believe they should say something.

BlueRose · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

Companies also have a responsibility to protect their employees and create inclusive environments. Striving for equality and empowering minority groups causes no harm. Making public statements in support of social movements, particularly those relevant to the rights and wellbeing of their employees is an important part of this. Or are you suggesting that companies should not support their black employees because it might offend or upset those with racist views?

AdamE · Jun 2, 2020

To kinda echo earlier what I was saying about what is far more effective, heres ubisoft with an example. NOW Nintendo, match that.

Heropon_ · Jun 2, 2020

BlueRose said:
Companies also have a responsibility to protect their employees and create inclusive environments. Striving for equality and empowering minority groups causes no harm. Or are you suggesting that companies should not support their black employees because it might offend or upset those with racist views?

I was talking about any social issue in general.
That's quite a big overinterpretation...

ClickyCal' · Jun 2, 2020

AdamE said:
To kinda echo earlier what I was saying about what is far more effective, heres ubisoft with an example. NOW Nintendo, match that.

Nintendo is really starting to look awkward here.

BlueRose · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
I was talking about any social issue in general.
That's quite a big overinterpretation...

You're posting in a thread about the Pokémon Company making a tone deaf statement about the Black Lives Matter movement, to say that you don't think companies should comment on social issues. What am I misinterpreting?

Heropon_ · Jun 2, 2020

BlueRose said:
You're posting in a thread about the Pokémon Company making a tone deaf statement about the Black Lives Matter movement, to say that you don't think companies should comment on social issues. What am I misinterpreting?

"are you suggesting that companies should not support their black employees because it might offend or upset those with racist views? "
You're almost saying that I'm defending racists.
That's a huge overinterpretation, if you read my first post, yeah.

Phellps · Jun 2, 2020

Aleh said:
@princessology on Twitter, she's a black woman who has been very vocal about the situation, has likely taken part into the decision behind this tweet (she retweeted it on her own account), I think people saying they just made it to score easy points don't get that. Could and should they have done more? Absolutely, but it's far from a tone deaf response made by people who don't care.

Huh. Then I imagine the post is actually a smart way to sneak in commentary disguised as just a gif from the anime. I don't believe corporate would've let her post if they were aware. Quite clever.

Grayson · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

And those employees can choose to leave if they don't believe in a simple idea like racism is bad.

Deleted member 3294 · Jun 2, 2020

Honestly this entire thread reads like "this brand I like isn't using what's happening right now to advertise itself the right way"

BlueRose · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
"are you suggesting that companies should not support their black employees because it might offend or upset those with racist views? "
You're almost saying that I'm defending racists.
That's a huge overinterpretation, if you read my first post, yeah.

You said that "IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that".

If a company makes a public statement in support of equality or with the intention of empowering minority groups, who likely work within said company, why would an employee have a problem with it unless they didn't agree with the issue being promoted? What harm does it do?

Twenty7kvn · Jun 2, 2020

Bobo Dakes said:
Message from corp = bad.
Silence = good.
Is starting to become my takeaway from this. We already went over the whole "silence is complicity" thing. That very message is what's causing people to make an effort this time around, speaking up, donating, sharing links on where you can donate.

In Nintendo's case, we've heard from their direct competition as well as their own employees and you're sitting here going "well why do you want to hear from them?" to what purpose if your default is just gonna be "well it's for PR".

Honestly, I don't want to hear from Corporations I don't want them to tweet from the brand I would rather the leaders of these corps come out from behind the veil and speak for themselves. They can then us the corporate influence to make some real change behind the scenes.

Deleted member 135 · Jun 2, 2020

jblanco said:
I'm not here to defend Nintendo, but just a heads up ppl...

Nintendo has said in the past they don't get into politics. So I wouldn't expect a response from them.

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

Saying they "don't get into politics" is a political statement. One in support of the status quo.

Deleted member 1589 · Jun 2, 2020

Honestly, some of y'all contextualizing responses as 'political' really grinds my gears.

While yes, it would probably could be a PR move, what Nintendo could do would be a significant signal boost to an absolutely terrible situation.

Twenty7kvn · Jun 2, 2020

AdamE said:
Okay, so let me lay it out. These protests are the ever growing results of decades, and centuries of injustice. They're in the news now, but in a week or two, it'll mostly be forgotten, until the next Black person get's murdered by cops on video.

The messages (or exact same message being copied, with the replacement of said company logo) that are currently being spread around may provide some positivity, but what will it actually do in the long run? The message is fine. It's a default fucking position to be perfectly frank, because "let's treat black people fairly" shouldn't need to be -expressed-.

I'd understand if companies were all on a donating binge, like donating to the BLM/NAACP or other organisations, or they'd all be calling out cops etc but they won't because they are ruled under a neoliberal system that doesn't care about the plight of black people.
But if companies were doing all that, and Nintendo sat idly, i'd get it.

Does "silence is complicity" apply to -everyone-? Virtually every company out there making these tweets are complicit in someways. So not only is it meaningless PR, it's also vastly hypocritical.

I just find it pointless to expect or demand or pithy message from a company. Give me action.

So no, i don't think message is bad, silence is good. I'm saying both are meaningless. Because companies operate to generate revenue, and they in essence do not care about the plight of black people, so whatever they tweet out is meaningless.

Plus, most game companies have a fucking horrible track record when it comes to representation of black people, as well as hiring black people, I've worked in the games industry for nearly 10 years, and i've probably come across like.. three black employees. So i hope you understand where i'm actually coming from.

Very well said this encapsulated my whole feelings and put it in words way better than i could've.

Deleted member 4034 · Jun 2, 2020

Sea lion said:
What so some Japanese kid is friends with a Hawaiian kid?

It'd be cool if Nintendo made a kick ass montage of all it's black characters but wait they have like 2.

See, THAT would just be advertising.

AstralTurfWarrior · Jun 2, 2020

Heropon_ said:
Reading this thread, and even the "official staff communication" really frightens me about Internet and social networks.
IMO, companies shouldn't comment on social issues, as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that.
The fact that people force companies to comment, and judge them based on what they are posting on social networks is beyond my comprehension.

"as they are talking in the name of their thousands of employees that didn't ask for that."

Why draw the line at making public statements on social issues? Companies do all kind of things that the employees don't ask for. Basic level employees aren't the ones who are in charge of the company. If employees aren't happy with a company's actions, they're free to leave. The same goes for public statements on social issues.

That really shouldn't be hard to grasp.

And beyond that, company employees can be affected by these same issues that are being protested right now. If a company wants to support their employees, it makes sense that they want them to be well also outside of work. And that's why it makes sense that they don't just make internal statements, but also reflect their position outside, i.e. make public statements.

People are also completely in their right to expect things from companies. They are part of the society and they bear their part of the responsibility making this society work. Now, companies are of course, in their part, free to ignore these expectations, but that doesn't mean people have to like it.

Deleted member 4034 · Jun 2, 2020

Rayearth said:
I know you are angry right now, but that's not what I've said.

I'm just saying that they're supporting the cause with real actions by making these characters. Even before BLM. And I do believe they will say something, as i do believe they should say something.

That's nothing to do with anger, that was just bad logic. "They have a black character so they're helping."

DevilMayGuy · Jun 2, 2020

I would like to see the owner of the "biggest brand in entertainment" push corporate matches for donations to BLM causes at least for their US based employees, personally. For all of you guys claiming it's all empty PR, I've seen a significant chunk of change going toward several causes from these large companies like Sony (& their studios) and Ubisoft. I'll take "empty PR" that results in hundreds of thousands of dollars of donations to causes I believe in over... Whatever the fuck that TPC tweet was anyday

DarkMagician · Jun 2, 2020

The world is moving towards social causes and everything is becoming politicized. Being silent is a political statement in and of itself.

Nintendo is already sharing their message, and it's loud and clear.

Unfortunately for them, their message will be on the wrong side when history looks back.

Pokémon gives tone deaf response to BLM protests as Nintendo stays silent

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