The Gamergate war rages on. Feminist media critic, Anita Sarkeesian, has canceled her speech on the negative portrayal of women in video games following violent threats. The talk had been scheduled to take place tonight at Utah State University, and was expected to dig into the sexist themes rife in the gaming community.
USU announced the cancellation in a tweet yesterday.
Anita Sarkeesian has canceled her speech scheduled for tomorrow at USU. University classes and business will continue as scheduled.
— USUAggies (@USUAggies) October 15, 2014The tweet prompted several frustrated comments. "This sets a horrifying precedent for your students," one female commenter responded. "Terror wins when women speak."
The "terror" she's referencing is the threat a purported student made to USU should it allow Sarkeesian's lecture to go on. An email sent to university staff threatened "the deadliest school shooting in American history."
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“I have at my disposal a semi-automatic rifle, multiple pistols, and a collection of pipe bombs,” the person added. "One way or another, I’m going to make sure they die."
Sarkeesian, who has received death threats in the past as part of the Gamergate war between feminist critics and hard-core gamers, insisted that she canceled the talk over security fears. Utah has a concealed carry law, which means students and anyone else attending the lecture could have come armed with a gun.
Forced to cancel my talk at USU after receiving death threats because police wouldn't take steps to prevent concealed firearms at the event.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014Requested pat downs or metal detectors after mass shooting threat but because of Utah's open carry laws police wouldn’t do firearm searches.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014To be clear: I didn't cancel my USU talk because of terrorist threats, I canceled because I didn’t feel the security measures were adequate.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014Pretty sickening, right? Though Sarkeesian won't be delivering her lecture, the Feminist Frequency founder will continue to fight against misogynistic tropes in gaming.
I’m safe. I will continue my work. I will continue speaking out. The whole game industry must stand up against the harassment of women.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014Carry on, gal. Carry on. (The Washington Post)
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