Is Resident Evil 5 racist? @ Gaming Target

Written by Ashley Coomer on August 02, 2007

News: Trailer causes concern of racism in Capcom's upcoming horror

The newest trailer for Capcom's upcoming zombie horror title, Resident Evil 5, has caused a lot of concern as of late. The trailer Ц which shows lead character Chris Redfield shooting black zombies in what could be an African village Ц has caused forums and blogs all over the net to explode with opinions as to whether or not it is racist.

The trailer begins by showing Chris walking calmly through an African village. Things get quiet... and then he is attacked by a mob of zombies and others in various stages of infection.

While it's readily apparent to us that Chris is fighting zombies (although some look almost normal), others aren't so sure...

УThe new Resident Evil video game depicts a white man in what appears to be Africa killing Black people. The Black people are supposed to be zombies and the white man's job is to destroy them and save humanityЕФ says Black Looks (blacklooks.org). УThis is problematic on so many levels, including the depiction of Black people as inhuman savages, the killing of Black people by a white man in military clothing, and the fact that this video game is marketed to children and young adults. Start them youngЕ fearing, hating, and destroying Black people.Ф

Is the trailer racist? Or should a man be judged by the state of decay from the zombie virus ravaging his body and not the color of his skin? Judge for yourself below: