Anita Sarkeesian
Anita Sarkeesian
Full Name and Common Aliases
Anita Sarkeesian is a Canadian feminist media critic and writer, best known as the founder of the popular YouTube channel The Angry Video Game Nerd (later renamed Feminist Frequency).
Birth and Death Dates
Born on September 20, 1983, Anita Sarkeesian's life has been dedicated to highlighting issues in video games, online culture, and media representation. She is still active in her work today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Anita Sarkeesian is a Canadian national with a background in communications and media studies. Her professional career spans multiple fields, including media criticism, writing, public speaking, and activism.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Anita Sarkeesian developed an early interest in video games and the internet. She spent much of her childhood playing classic arcade titles like Super Mario Bros. and exploring online forums. This curiosity led her to study communications and media studies at York University.
Major Accomplishments
Anita Sarkeesian's work has been instrumental in sparking conversations about representation, sexism, and stereotypes in video games. Her analysis of the medium and its impact on society has garnered significant attention worldwide. Some notable achievements include:
Launching Feminist Frequency (formerly The Angry Video Game Nerd), a YouTube channel dedicated to analyzing and critiquing media representations.
Creating the acclaimed series, "Tropes vs." which explores the portrayal of women in video games and other forms of media.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Anita Sarkeesian include:
"Tropes vs. Women as Background Prop," a critical analysis of how female characters are often relegated to secondary roles.
"The Ladykillers", an episode examining the depiction of women in action games.
Impact and Legacy
Anita Sarkeesian's work has had a profound impact on the gaming industry, sparking discussions around representation, diversity, and inclusivity. Her dedication to highlighting issues in media has inspired new perspectives and approaches to storytelling.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Anita Sarkeesian is widely quoted and remembered for her groundbreaking work in feminist media criticism. Her commitment to challenging stereotypes and promoting diverse representation has made her a respected voice in the gaming community and beyond.
Quotes by Anita Sarkeesian
I wouldn’t call it a silver lining, but with more women speaking up, online harassment is beginning to be taken more seriously.
I’m no stranger to a bit of sexist backlash, but I was surprised by the level of vicious and misogynist hate I received.
I am not a fan of video games, I had to learn a lot about them. I would love to play video games, but I don’t want to go around shooting people, and ripping off their heads, and it’s just gross.
It is both possible (and even necessary) to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of its more problematic or pernicious aspects.
There’s no such thing as sexism against men. That's because sexism is prejudice + power. Men are the dominant gender with power in society.
I am not a fan of video games, I had to learn a lot about them. I would love to play video games, but I don't want to go around shooting people, and ripping off their heads, and it's just gross.
When we look at these historical women and what they've gone through, it's shocking to recognize some of our own experiences in theirs. When you look at someone like Ada Lovelace who is the first computer programmer, during her lifetime doctors said that was really sick because she was trying to use a masculine kind of brain that she didn't have. Today, her legacy of being the first programmer is stil disputed.
The US bombed them back to traditional values – feminism does not exist in Japan. While I don’t like judging an entire culture…that does not excuse them.
There is a clear difference between sexist parody and parody of sexism. Sexist parody encourages the players to mock and trivialize gender issues while parody of sexism disrupts the status quo and undermines regressive gender conventions.
One of the most radical things you can do, is to actually believe women when they tell you about their experiences.