‘We begin to move against domination, against oppression.’ (bell hooks)
Applying bell hooks’ representation theory explore two video games you have studied. [30]
INTRODUCTION:
In this quote, bell hooks highlight the human conscious decision to reject dominating and oppressive
forces that exist to limit our freedom and of those around us. This is the result of the love and
acceptance that individuals would have for one another. In this analysis, this ‘oppression’ as well as
the expanding freedom discussed by bell hooks will be explored in the two video game franchises,
‘Grand Theft Auto’ (‘GTA’) and ‘Tomb Raider’ (‘TR’).
POINT 1: Black character, Franklin, is stereotyped
Audiences may see Franklin, a protagonist of ‘GTA V’, as oppressed by power of the dominant white
male developers of Rockstar Games. His character is clearly depicted as a representation of extreme
black stereotypes, in which he smokes weed, carries a gun, is a gang member and is the product of
an abusive father and drug-addicted mother. bell hooks states that, “black male selfhood is… the
image of the brute—untamed, uncivilized, unthinking, and unfeeling.” This illustrates how black men
are stereotyped. They are seen as violent and aggressive, and this concept of “brute” was used by
white enslavers to justify their dehumanization and continued oppression of black people. And,
whilst it is understandable that ‘GTA’ is a parody based on stereotypes, many video game players
and critics are condemning this behaviour and how they perpetuate black stereotype. bell hooks
would perhaps have argued that ‘GTA’ does not love and accept, and therefore they do not oppose
white domination.
POINT 2: Character customisation freedom
However, shortly after the release of ‘GTA V’, Rockstar Games came out with ‘GTA Online’ the next
month. The exceptionality that comes with this is its ability to enable players to create and
customise their own characters, and this comes with the diverse range of character features – to
choose your skin colour, and just as important, to choose to be female. bell hooks states that the
“moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate
ourselves and others.” With this, it acknowledges the struggles of people of colour and the female
gender against the domination of a white male hegemonic society. Audiences can see the result of
this struggle where they have accomplished equality and can see themselves more positively
represented. bell hooks further expands and explains that, “Beloved community is formed not by the
eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural
legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world.”
POINT 3: Privileged female character, Lara Croft
In regard to ‘Tomb Raider’, audiences can see that through online circulation, the game and its
protagonist Lara Croft is still continually criticised for its lack of representation. Or, rather, the lack of
positive representation. Lara's western, white, upper middle-class background has been critiqued to
contribute to a lack of diversity in the representation. This can be further reinforced by the
immensity of white characters whilst the little representation of ethnic people are portrayed as
antagonists with animalistic features and the intent to kill. bell hooks explains that “Being oppressed
means the absence of choices”. Some video game critics strongly believe that by perpetuating such
negative stereotypes and failing to provide better diverse representation, ‘TR’ therefore perpetuates
this oppression and limits the opportunities for ethnic people to see themselves positively
represented.
POINT 4: Lara Croft ending patriarchy
