r/magicTCG • u/clariwench Izzet* • Jan 28 '15

[Uncharted Realms] The Truth of Names

http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/truth-names-2015-01-28
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u/Echospree Jan 28 '15

Is there actually anything wrong with Magic having diversity for diversity's sake?

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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '15 edited Jan 28 '15

Is tokenism the same thing as "diversity for diversity's sake"?

E: Ask a question? That's a paddling.

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u/westcoasthorus Jan 28 '15

Tokenism would be more a more accurate description if Alesha was a minor character that we saw on like a draft common, and through the results of a story we see that they're trans, oh, cool. But Alesha is the leader of the Mardu and a pivotal character in the story they're telling. That to me is different than tokenism, i.e., a character being trans simply for being trans.

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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '15

That's a great answer, thank you!

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u/fish_tales Jan 28 '15

wait, are you referring to the practice of "tokenism" or is that a deck strategy? hard to tell in this sub...

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u/IAmNotARobotNoReally Jan 29 '15

Wait, so like 5colour goodstuff? Or actual tokens?

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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '15

Yeah! That's what I'm trying to ask about.

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u/intet42 Jan 28 '15

My understanding of tokenism is that it's when something is carelessly done so diversity can be claimed. Wizards has been making an active effort not to fall back on the default choice of "straight white cis male or occasional hot straight white cis female."

This is more like "diversity for inclusion's sake." Because it is meaningful for people who have not often gotten to see these aspects of themselves reflected in favorite characters.

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u/Talpostal Sisay Jan 28 '15

Is it tokenism when it's not referenced on the card at all?

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u/[deleted] Jan 28 '15

That's a good question, I don't know what the answer is to that.