Why doesn't Riot ban people who have anti-disabled behavior?

NaotoKanji·Apr 16, 2017·10 votes·1,207 views

Hello. Let me preface this post by saying I'm autistic and have many friends who are disabled that also play LoL. My girlfriend is also autistic, and another friend I play with has cerebral palsy. This game is hard for all of us to play because there's many steps involved in gameplay, as well as the frenetic pacing. Still, we persist because we enjoy LoL a lot when the environment is positive.

The amount of toxic behavior specifically targeting disabled people in LoL is a massive problem. I can't count how many times people make Down Syndrome 'jokes' in chat, or use autistic as if it's some kind of insult (it's not, and you're an awful person if you think this way). This behavior is pretty disgusting, immature, and honestly very discouraging and offensive, and part of the reason why I don't play LoL much anymore. Whenever I call out people for their behavior in-game, I'm usually ganged up on by my supposed team because they just don't understand why it isn't cool to mock disabled folks. I get that I can simply mute everyone at the start of the match, but I have met some nice people while playing League and I'd like to continue to meet more people I get along with. Plus, I shouldn't have to mute anyone to have an enjoyable experience playing the game.

I've reported people numerous times for their negative comments towards disabled people and nothing has come of it. Riot is usually on top of handing out infractions for misogyny and racism, but seem to be lacking in this regard.

In my opinion, Riot should be far more aggressive in weeding out anti-disability rhetoric from their community.

Thanks for listening.

17 Comments

dakota saturnApr 16, 20174 votes

It's like how people are shifting from calling things 'gay' or 'retarded', into 'autistic' and 'cancer'. You can't really say 'dude that's so gay' in public anymore or you'll probably get nasty looks or confronted. But nobody really cares about calling things cancer or austistic.

It's moving from one offensive phrase to another, and in due time, these will be phased out too.

https://s22.postimg.org/84rekvcch/bgti_Rmt.jpg

Around999PeopleApr 16, 20172 votes

They will be phased out. But if everyone ignores it it won't be. Making people think about it and how it makes people look discourages them from using it hence why these things get phased out. People don't say "that's so gay" Anymore because their friend might be gay and could be insulted, the people around them could get an extremely negative view of them, etc.

dakota saturnApr 16, 20174 votes

{quoted}

They will be phased out. But if everyone ignores it it won't be. Making people think about it and how it makes people look discourages them from using it hence why these things get phased out. People don't say "that's so gay" Anymore because their friend might be gay and could be insulted, the people around them could get an extremely negative view of them, etc.

People won't ignore it because of topics like this, and awareness groups for people with disabilities.

I've worked in the field before, so I'm sensitive to discrimination and general public stupidness when it comes to things like that.

NaotoKanjiApr 17, 20171 votes

I'm glad to see my OP has encouraged some thoughtful discussion + support. The only way to combat ignorance surrounding disabilities is through topics like these. It's sad to see Riot hasn't come down as hard on anti-autistic/disability behavior as they do on other issues. We are often the scapegoats for a lot of things, and what's worse is that many disabled people can't even defend themselves or argue against the terrible behavior of others because of their disability.

Troll for TrumpApr 17, 20171 votes

They're not really ignored, it's just that there's not as much attention brought up on it right now as it is with racism, sexism, and homophobia.

All you ever end up with is one group forcing people out for people being different, on both sides.

The problem isn't really -isms as it is intolerance of different mindsets.

Around999PeopleApr 16, 20173 votes

I have the same train of through. I am physically disabled myself, and it gets under my skin when people make fun of disabled people. It's honestly similar to racism. Insulting someone for being disabled is like insulting a black person for their skin color. Neither side can change it. And if you call someone black because they're bad at the game that's racist and likely to get you a ban, so why not have the same rules here?

nerak23Apr 16, 20172 votes

Some People can not only be rude intentionally but assholes to !

The King DiscordApr 16, 20172 votes

im autistic when people use that as insult i send detailed reports and they get punished 9/10

slippykittenApr 17, 20172 votes

We are moving ever closer to a totalitarian society of tyranny. Some people suck, but that's how the world works. You cannot expect to be vindicated every time you get your feelings hurt, because that demands that someone else punishes someone every time they do something deemed unkind.

It's crazy to think the world should work that way. Should people be removed from media entertainment because someone found them offensive? Should people be removed from work places because someone deemed their speech hurtful? Should corporations, governments, and authorities dictate the words and ideas of other people?

The answer is no. To promote such a thing is asking to be oppressed, in one form or another. If today, companies and governments punish people because you find them offensive, what stops them from punishing you later because they find your religion offensive?

The problem isn't that people aren't punished for saying mean things. I'm sorry, you simply cannot stop people from saying mean things, it's a ridiculous notion. The problem is that we have come to the place that we expect to be able to go through life without being offended. You simply cannot. Your expectation that you should be able to play online games with millions of other people without ever being offended is insane. The only way this could possibly happen is total and complete control over speech and thought, which once again, is a crazy thing to desire.

Is it good for people to use autistic as an insult? not really, but neither is retarded, gay, or racial slurs. There will always be a way to insult people, and it will always be offensive, because that's kinda the point. Those people will eventually reap what they sow, and you will grow into a better person for having endured hardness. But Orwellian control is never the answer.

NaotoKanjiApr 17, 20171 votes

Blunt question: are you disabled yourself? Do you know what it's like to be disabled? I'm guessing you don't, because if you were, you wouldn't be able to look at this issue as objectively and permissively as you are.

Free speech is important, but when you're abusive and toxic (even just through words, which are a starting point for actions) towards disabled folks - especially because many literally can't defend themselves - you're promoting a culture that is actively harmful.

SturmPioniereApr 17, 20172 votes

His point is that negative reinforcement (punishment) is not the answer and when taken through its natural evolutions reaches tyrannical. Only positive reinforcement of good behaviours and an individual focus on compassion will solve these problems in any way that isn't thought control.

Even then people will still be dicks, but sometimes the dicks don't realise they're being dicks. For now, tell them why it's kind of dickish, then mute them if need be, and report them after if need be.

The issue isn't that it's not undesirable enough to be an asshole. It's just not desirable enough to most to try not to be. Riot really needs to get back to pioneering on rewarding positive influences.

Janna mìdApr 17, 20173 votes

Wait, how is "having to act decently" moving closer to a totalitarian society of tyranny ? Just to remember you, insulting someone isn't and never was free speech, but hate and dangerous manners (since it can lead to things such as paranoia, fear, depression or even suicide in extreme cases). Discussing or saying their opinion about a topic without insulting is free speech and that right should be preserved. It does not mean people won't get offended because of it, but it is what free speech is like

nerak23Apr 17, 20172 votes

Should people be removed from work places because someone deemed their speech hurtful?

Yes ! 100% I owned my own Pizza shop and Yes I would Fire that person on the spot!

The World would be a better place if people speak up for what they believe.

I believe NO One like to be insulted and if you do then say so....

NaotoKanji , I wish you the best !

LolyiconApr 17, 20172 votes

Let me preface my this comment by saying I'm autistic aswell.

I use "Autsist" as flame all the time. It just describes someone who failes to to do a basic human task (like hitting at least one fcking skillshot in the whole game) very well. That is how language works, currently its autism and cancer, I'm sure Aids will have its highs aswell.

Just think about, "Are you blind" is exactly on the same level as "are you autistic/ do you have downsyndrom"? we are just so used to hear the first thing.

Baron0BeefDipApr 24, 20171 votes

Yes. I definitely agree. I'm also autistic myself. I don't really know why people use it as an insult. Some of the most intelligent and important people in history are now believed to have likely had been on the autism spectrum. I'm fairly thick skinned, so usually I just mute the player and proceed to destroy them in game(if they're on the enemy team. Luckily I usually have cool teammates). Still, I really, really don't appreciate that this is becoming a thing. I should also probably say that autism is a disorder , not a disability.