In
a recent “Shame on You” news edition broadcasted on November 6, 2003,
CBS reporter Arnold Diaz revealed that Rockstar Games, a prominent publishing
division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO), made several controversial
remarks propagating the hate and killing of all Haitians with its most popular
video game "Grand Theft Auto-Vice City".
"My
mission in the game is to kill the Haitians! I hate these Haitians! We'll take
them out. We'll take these Haitians down…" says Difenderfer, one of
the characters in the video game
Sadly, the “Grand Theft Auto" video game incident underlines the reality
of today's society. However, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful to
subject people to differential treatment based on race, color, national origin,
nationality, ancestry, age, sex preferences, and mental or physical disability,
and AIDS and HIV status.
As
an ethnic group, Haitians are often faced with many kinds of disadvantages and
discrimination in the United States. Whether it is done by Hollywood or certain
members of the American media, and or business group; Haitians are often portrayed
as boat people, voodoo worshippers, and HIV carriers. These cultural attacks often
dehumanize Haitians and give rise to widespread stereotypes and racism.
Notice
Read
about the first general meeting held at St. Francis College on Friday, November
14, 2003 . What we plan to do and more .. End
of Notice
It is very important that you let Rockstar
Games (646-536-2842 ext 8457 or 212-334-6633 or email chris@rockstargames.com)
know that these types of behavior or insensitive racial comments will not be tolerated
by the Haitian community. The company needs to remove the game 'Grand Theft Auto'
from the market and issue an official letter of apology to the Haitian community.
Grand Theft Auto was release nearly fourteen months ago, the game has sold over
three
millions in united States and over five
millions in the United Kingdoms. The message is already out there,
we cannot afford to stay silent. We need to put pressure on Rockstar Games Take-Two
Interactive Software to rectify the problem. To
file a complaint against Rockstar Games you can write to the Office of Civil,ADMINISTRATIVE
MANAGEMENT SECTION U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW Administrative Management Section, NYA Washington, DC 20530 (202) 514-4224
or 202- 720-5964, Fax: (202) 514-1783.
You may aloso call HOUSING AND CIVIL ENFORCEMENT SECTION at 202 514-4713 Fax:
(202) 514-1116
You
can E-mail (AskDOJ@usdoj.gov) the Department of Justice, including the Attorney
General. You may also contact the local representatives in your district.
Heritagekonpa
and the Haitian community would like to thank Arnold Diaz of CBS for reporting
the story and Dr. Henry Frank, director of the Haitian Counsul In New York, who
brought the story to the attention of the media and the Haitian community.
Lawsuit
Against Rockstar Games
The
creators of the video game series "Grand Theft Auto"ckstar
Being suit for $246 million by the families of two people shot by teenagers.
Important
Links ( click on highlighted links)
Civl
Rights And Liberties Violations
Civil
right OverviewOverview
Taking
action against racial hatred
If
you have been the target of racially offensive behaviors there are a number of
things you can do about it:
Arnold Diaz'sreport
Shame
On You: Rockstar Video Games
A
CBS 2 Special Report Nov 6, 2003 11:38 pm US/Eastern
NEW
YORK (CBS) Brutal, bloody images and racist messages. It's all packaged in a popular
video game. One outraged Haitian American viewer, who didn't want to appear on
camera, says the message is unacceptable.
CBS
2's Arnold Diaz takes a closer look, but a word of caution, what he found is not
appropriate for children. FFull
Text and videoull
Story and Video tape
