Racism in Skyrim?

[Romidude]

The racism really is just more flavour to the universe of The Elder Scrolls. It can create an atmosphere of hate without offending any real life groups, while still carrying gravity and meaning in game. Getting called "Cat" all the time makes me feel a annoyed, you know Bethesda's done an amazing job when it comes to that.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Fucks sake visit an Orc stronghold. They hate everyone.

As an Orc warrior they're going to love me. The general populace seem pretty cool; but the bloody Nords hate my guts, despite the assistance I render them.

 

[Brawndo]

The Argonian National Congress frowns upon your shenanigans

 

[carpathic]

When I entered Whiterun I saw a group of Redguards being herassed by Whiterun guards. The guards where going on about how the Redguards only wanted to come in to rape children and abduct woman to sell into slavery. When I went up to one of the Redguards, he said that they where just looking for a friend and if I could help.

lol, I've yet to finish that particular quest so I don't know what their true intentions are, but you do see pairs of redguards every now and then harassing women for whatever their reasons are. Whatever it is, it's definitely not something as honest and friendly as "looking for a friend".

Anyways, as a Dark Elf. I just make a point of murdering every single person who bad mouths me for it. Maybe the rest will learn.

Odd, because as an imperial I make a point of killing every elf - especially dark elves for the manner in which I was treated in Morrowind. Plus I hate elves

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

I So I want to know if I am the only one who has experienced this racism

...you've never played the Elder Scrolls before, have you?

the series is basically the poster child for Fantasy Racism. Check out morrowind and see the khajiit and argonians being sold as slaves because... well, c'mon, they can't even wear BOOTS, clearly they are inferior.

Lets see, racial stereotypes include

khajiit: sneaky, drug-addled, thieving liars
argonians: lizard ents, obviously they are stupid
dunmer: aristocratic, backward, ancestor-worshipping lying slavers and drug dealers
altmer: arrogant, supremacist bastards (and now some of them are full-on nazis)
orsimer: raging, drooling, ignorant barbarians
Nords: DRUNKEN ignorant barbarians
Redguards: savages
bosmer: untrustworthy, flighty, thieving cowards
Imperials: arrogant, lazy, weak, greedy.

escapists, what am I forgetting?

 

[Screamarie]

What I find funny is that I played an Empirial woman and then got married to a Nord man. I thought for certain someone would say something about a Nord and an Imperial being married but nope, no one cared. I guess our "love" just impressed the hell out of everyone and so the two sides united in harmony behind my back.

 

[Gunjester]

This all makes perfect sense. Anyone who finds this offensive has no idea what Medieval times and other similar times were like.
This by no means shows racism in the developers, it shows realism in the setting. My character is an Imperial by race, but a Stormcloak in allegiance, and you can damn bet a lot of characters comment on my race.
My brother made a blackguard, same thing.
This is accuracy and immersion, if you feel angry at an NPC for their racism, that means the developers wanted you to be.

 

[Angerwing]

Racism has been a component in Morrowind and Oblivion as well, although not as large as in Skyrim. In Morrowind, you had nationalistic Dunmer, who didn't like outsiders. You had Khajiit and Argonian slaves, and people would have a different disposition towards you depending on your race. If you were an Orc, or a Khajiit or something, you would be universally liked less than an Imperial or a High Elf.

In Oblivion, it's not that bad, considering that Cyrodiil is the heart of the Empire, and there are many different races living there. There are still some cities with big divides between the humans and the Khajiit/Argonians.

In Skyrim, some races are treated with suspicion, and it's far easier to interact with them as one of the human races (not sure about Redguard, haven't played them). Considering there's a nationalistic revolution going on, it makes sense that there is a constant amount of light racism. Hell, even the noble Dunmer have been reduced to their 'ghetto' in Windhelm.

My Khajiit stealth archer gets told "You'll make a fine rug, cat!" when in combat.

 

[Angerwing]

I So I want to know if I am the only one who has experienced this racism

...you've never played the Elder Scrolls before, have you?

the series is basically the poster child for Fantasy Racism. Check out morrowind and see the khajiit and argonians being sold as slaves because... well, c'mon, they can't even wear BOOTS, clearly they are inferior.

Lets see, racial stereotypes include

khajiit: sneaky, drug-addled, thieving liars
argonians: lizard ents, obviously they are stupid
dunmer: aristocratic, backward, ancestor-worshipping lying slavers and drug dealers
altmer: arrogant, supremacist bastards (and now some of them are full-on nazis)
orsimer: raging, drooling, ignorant barbarians
Nords: DRUNKEN ignorant barbarians
Redguards: savages
bosmer: untrustworthy, flighty, thieving cowards
Imperials: arrogant, lazy, weak, greedy.

escapists, what am I forgetting?

The only race you missed were Bretons. I'd say they're considered somewhat similar to Imperials, just even weaker as they're all thought of as mages.

 

[Jaeke]

That's kinda the whole curve on the entire "ELVES HAVE SHIT LOCKED DOWN IN TAMRIEL" situation in the home of mankind im not trying to be a troll, that was just one of the key conflicts that was presented before release.

 

[Justanewguy]

But they never kill her. If they wanted to kill her they might as well left it to the dark brotherhood.

That doesn't make her guilty.

 

[supersword44]

well you might argue that it is speciesism rather than racism as I don't think the human's and the mer can inner-breed. .

actually they can that's how the Bretons came to be. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Breton
but, you probably wont see it often because of all the speciasism you mentioned.

 

[Gatx]

This is a big part of world building in the Elder Scrolls series, and like others have said before, if you think it's something strange or awkward, then you're probably new to the series.

 

[Jaeke]

Lets look at the positives

Nords- They revere loyalty, skill, and honor in battle.
Imperials- Innovative and industrious.
Breton- Radical and intelligent.
Altmer- Masterful and determined to push to great heights.
Dunmer- 'Nuff Said.
Bosmer- Traditional and nature-loving.
Orsimer- Hard-working and have an unwavering strive to prove themselves.
Khajiit- Fiercely tied to their beliefs and aspirations.
Argonians- Same as Khajiit... can't think of a significant difference other than scales/horns.

 

[Acting like a FOOL]

I'm a redgaurd,but I MARRIED AN ORC...now I can enter ANY Orc stronghold without trouble and mine ALL of the EBONY I want. I'm loaded with the stuff....my wife's also a blacksmith sooo :3 win!

 

[Dr. wonderful]

Lets look at the positives

Nords- They revere loyalty, skill, and honor in battle.
Imperials- Innovative and industrious.
Breton- Radical and intelligent.
Altmer- Masterful and determined to push to great heights.
Dunmer- 'Nuff Said.
Bosmer- Traditional and nature-loving.
Orsimer- Hard-working and have an unwavering strive to prove themselves.
Khajiit- Fiercely tied to their beliefs and aspirations.
Argonians- Same as Khajiit... can't think of a significant difference other than scales/horns.

...What about Redguards?

oh wait, no one likes Redguards.

 

[Liquid Paradox]

When I entered Whiterun I saw a group of Redguards being herassed by Whiterun guards. The guards where going on about how the Redguards only wanted to come in to rape children and abduct woman to sell into slavery. When I went up to one of the Redguards, he said that they where just looking for a friend and if I could help.

Lol wut? I think were being trolled. Looking for a friend my left nut.

 

[witheringsanity]

thats nothin. did you see the cave full of bandits and :ossible spoiler::

Spoiler

that death pit full of Khajiit??? thats not just words of racism, thats flat-out killing another race

i knew racism was prevalent in elder scrolls, but seeing that actually made me cringe

 

[A Free Man]

I first realised this just after I picked a race. I chose to play as a Nord which immediately brought the guard with the check list great joy. He was also very taken aback when after he gave his "Norse power" speech the front woman still ordered me to my death. This made me realsise that this game might have a slight Norse supiriourity thing going.

After surviving the dragon onsluaght I was sent to Riverwood, where another man sent me to Whiterun. When I reached Whiterun the first thing that I encountered was a squatter camp filled with Khajiit. I went closer and over heard two of them talking about how the Nords would not let them into Whiterun because they think all Khajiit are rapists and theives. They then went on to say that all they are trying to do is raise a family.

When I entered Whiterun I saw a group of Redguards being herassed by Whiterun guards. The guards where going on about how the Redguards only wanted to come in to rape children and abduct woman to sell into slavery. When I went up to one of the Redguards, he said that they where just looking for a friend and if I could help.

Things like this kept happening throughout the game, and I didn't make a post about it earlier because I thought Yatshee would bring it up in his review of Skyrim but he didn't. So I want to know if I am the only one who has experienced this racism, and if you have, share your tales of witnessed racist actions within Skrim.

Haha honestly not an offensive question just curious is this the first time you have played an Elder Scrolls game? There is heaps of racism, because generally the games revolve around the imperials or the empire attempting to invade a land and usually the natives don't exactly thank them for that. Hell in Morrowind there were entire towns and Houses of the government (kind of) that were devoted to the superiority of Dark Elves, and if you weren't one you weren't allowed to join them. Also they constantly sent a stream of snide comments your direction which quite frankly were a bit hurtful

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

There's been "racism" in EVERY Elder Scrolls game. They take place in a race's home country and they always look down on everyone else. Did you play Morrowind? If you were ANYTHING but a Dark Elf, they wouldn't refer to you as anything buy "Outsider" or "N'wah"