Pokemon Go (ios and android) - TEAM ROCKET

 Warning: Pokemon GO is a Death Sentence if you are a Black Man.
This week has been a catastrophe for Blackness…and it’s only Thursday. Two men, Alton Sterling  and Philando Castile, were killed by police officers within 24 hours of each other. Neither had committed a crime that was punishable by death nor did they put any officers lives at risk.

It’s inexcusable, unjustifiable, and is perpetuated by a system that disproportionately targets Black Men.

Those are the facts.

In another sector of the internet this week, a mobile game called Pokemon GO  was released. Being of the geekish human variety, I was inexplicably excited about this game. They were giving me a chance to catch ’em all once again, this time in the real world using an obvious combination of technology and magic. I downloaded it immediately when I saw the news of its release.

Even in the wake of such sadness, the iconic theme music started and it was impossible for me to prevent the delighted grin from taking over my face. As I was introduced to Professor Willow, who tasked me with assisting him with his research by catching as many Pokemon that I could, I giggled like a middle school girl being approached by her secret crush on the schoolyard.

After capturing my first Pokemon, I started taking notes on the interface and how the game would work. It seemed straightforward enough. Using GPS, my avatar marks my position on a simplified version of what is essentially Google Maps. Little grass confetti animations show me where Pokemon might be located nearby. Seems reasonable that I should walk there and potentially this would allow me to catch one. I see a few that seem to be located in my apartment complex, but unfortunately it’s getting late (around 10:30 pm) and I have a good ole’ American nine-to-five job. Like a normal adult, I started up my computer, played a couple hours of Overwatch, poked around on Facebook for another hour while in bed, then went to sleep.

Early the next morning, shortly after my partner left for work, I couldn’t help but to give Pokemon Go another shot. I had about an hour before I needed to be at work so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I threw some clothes on, fired up the app, and set out for an adventure.

Very quickly my Pokemon catching dreams were obliterated by the unfortunate reality that exist for a Black Man in America. I realized that if I keep playing this game, it could literally kill me. 

I spent less than 20 minutes outside. Five of those minutes were spent enjoying the game. One of those minutes I spent trying to look as pleasant and nonthreatening as possible as I walked past a somewhat visibly disturbed white woman on her way to the bus stop. I spent the other 14 minutes being distracted from the game by thoughts of the countless Black Men who have had the police called on them because they looked “suspicious” or wondering what a second amendment exercising individual might do if I walked past their window a 3rd or 4th time in search of a Jigglypuff.

When my brain started combining the complexity of being Black in America with the real world proposal of wandering and exploration that is designed into the gamplay of Pokemon GO, there was only one conclusion. I might die if I keep playing.

(I play as a black female character because they are so few represented in video games.)

The breakdown is simple:

• There is a statistically disproportionate chance that someone could call the police to investigate me for walking around in circles in the complex.
• There is a statistically disproportionate chance that I would be approached by law enforcement with fear or aggression, even when no laws have been broken.
• There is a statistically disproportionate chance that I will be shot while reaching for my identification that I always keep in my back right pocket.
• There is a statistically disproportionate chance that more shots will be fired and I will be dead before any medical assistance is available.

The premise of Pokemon GO asks me to put my life in danger if I chose to play it as it is intended and with enthusiasm. Let’s just go ahead and add Pokemon GO to the extremely long list of things white people can do without fear of being killed, while Black people have to realistically be wary.

Honestly, I wish this was a joke post or a satire of some sort. It isn’t.

Something needs to change…like yesterday.

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Hennessy said:

Flourished with Poke Stops riding the metro on my way to work this morning

There is also a Poke Stop right at the entrance of the Pentagon where I work. No cell phone service inside the building though. Gonna see if I can catch a few Pokemon in the center courtyard before I leave work. Can I hit the same Poke Stops again or is it one time only? I think I hit maybe 5 just riding into work

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RFX45 said:

I think they'll eventually integrate pvp later but they're going to need a Poke Center by then or make potions more common.

But for battles against AIs, I think that makes it easier to slowing down battles, it's nice that it's real time but definitely no strategy at all in just rapid tapping.

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SwagKingCole said:

 
Wow. Not to be a buzzkill or anything or bring the current negative events into this thread but it's reality. I never eem thought about this.  Just be careful y'all. 

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Sole Reaver said:

 

SwagKingCole said:

 
Wow. Not to be a buzzkill or anything or bring the current negative events into this thread but it's reality. I never eem thought about this.  Just be careful y'all. 

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roll with a group man... theyll definitely find it awkward if theres 3 or 5 of you all walking n just looking at your phones though

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WorldBreaker said:

has the game froze for yall right when you catch a pokemon? Like the camera stays on and the pokeball stays on screen?
I had to close the app and lost a jiggleypuff 

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WorldBreaker said:

has the game froze for yall right when you catch a pokemon? Like the camera stays on and the pokeball stays on screen?
I had to close the app and lost a jiggleypuff 

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eddiengambino said:

WorldBreaker said:

has the game froze for yall right when you catch a pokemon? Like the camera stays on and the pokeball stays on screen?
I had to close the app and lost a jiggleypuff 

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That's because the server stopped working whenever it does that

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6 rings MJ said:

eddiengambino said:

WorldBreaker said:

has the game froze for yall right when you catch a pokemon? Like the camera stays on and the pokeball stays on screen?
I had to close the app and lost a jiggleypuff 

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That's because the server stopped working whenever it does that

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Okay I thought it was my phone..

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onlyjays9P said:

Servers are down for me and I got all kinds of time today....

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BenDover said:

Same ^

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onlyjays9P said:

Servers are down for me and I got all kinds of time today....

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Sole Reaver said:

anyone know how to get one of those watches?

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WorldBreaker said:

 
Anyone else bad at throwing pokeballs and walking 

.

I have to stop walking so that I could steady my hands.

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spizike231 said:

Gamestop was doing pre orders for them I believe.

I think I heard they're like $30 or $35. Will likely pick one up soon or when they release.

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