Dr. Gray hosts a Fishbowl discussion on contemporary gaming culture with undergraduate students from Drama and Speech Communication, Stratford, and Women's Studies on the subject of gender, sexuality, and race in games and game cultures. The engaging conversation included the audience who provided additional commentary and insight.  

Dr. Kishonna L Gray, Director of the Critical Gaming Lab and Assistant Professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University spoke to the campus community at the University of South Carolina – Upstate as part of the ongoing campaign to market the new major in African-American Studies.  Dr. Gray’s topic broadly covered “Race, Gender, and Toxicity in the Gaming Culture.” 

The following quote reflects the overarching theme of her talk:

“By accepting a culture that diminishes the status of women [and people of color] as full members of the gaming community, this toxic environment has been able to fester and take shape and lead to the harassment and threats of violence against [marginalized groups] in our community.” 

The lectured kicked off with an introduction from the Director of the African-American Studies program, Dr. Cassandra Jones discussing the program and upcoming events.  The conversations continued afterwards with an intimate gathering of students, staff, and faculty of USC-Upstate discussing intersections of game studies with other cultural programs and movements.   The event was sponsored by African American Studies, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Languages, Literature, and Composition at UNC - Upstate.

Later this month, Dr. Gray will discuss Blackness and Gaming Culture as the Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Waterloo.  More information on that event can be found by clicking the link HERE.  
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Stay tuned for other events and news from the Critical Gaming Lab.