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World of Warcraft: Exploring Kalimdor Heavily Criticized for Depicting Racial Stereotypes
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Posted
2021/12/12 at 7:15 PM
by
DiscordianKitty
Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
is Blizzard's most recent lore book. Following Zekhan, the ambassador of the Horde, and Rexxar, the famed hunter and hero, the book documents their journey as they travel around the continent of Kalimdor. The book has received a great deal of criticism, specifically for reinforcing negative, harmful, and racial stereotypes in its handling of Horde races and characters - many of which are BIPOC-coded.
Its predecessor,
Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms
, may have been one of Blizzard's more well-received lore books. Authored by Christie Golden, the book follows the notes of Mathias Shaw and Flynn Fairwind as they travel through the Eastern Kingdoms. As the continent is currently mostly under the jurisdiction of the Alliance, the book is heavily focused on the Alliance kingdoms, history, races, and perspective - and has even been described as a "love letter to the Alliance".
Unfortunately,
Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
, which is authored by Sean Copeland, the principal historian of Story & Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment, does not seem to treat Horde history and cultures with the same love and care.
Zekhan
One of the most common criticisms is the handling of the character Zekhan - a popular but fairly new Horde character. First appearing in Battle for Azeroth cinematics, the Shaman was memefied by the World of Warcraft community, who nicknamed him "Zappy Boi". Later, Zekhan starred opposite Saurfang in the cinematic
Old Soldier
, representing the young and idealistic members of the Horde who make up the Horde's future. Zekhan went on to be an important main character in the Madeline Roux novel
Shadows Rising
, where he was made ambassador of the Horde and tasked with aiding Talanji against a rising threat against her rule, as well as convincing her to take her place on the Horde Council.
Though young, Zekhan has shown himself to be thoughtful, intelligent, honorable, and kind - traits that many feel are missing in his portrayal in
Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
. Instead, he is presented as prejudiced - particularly against Goblins, which he insults constantly throughout the book - judgemental, and unschooled.
A footnote where Zekhan mentions being taught how to read and write by Lor'themar Theron, suggesting he reached adulthood mostly illiterate. This makes little sense, as ancient writing tablets show Trolls have been literate for centuries.
As a Shaman, Zekhan should understand a great deal about the elements he works with, but here he is shown ignorant on the meaning of the word "erosion".
A common example of how Zekhan talks about Goblins.
Zekhan's judgemental comments on the Night Elves being aggressive in the wake of the Burning of Teldrassil.
Gazlowe and the Goblins
Another major criticism has been about the portrayal of the Goblins, and their leader Gazlowe. As a race, with their large, hooked noses and greed, Goblins already can be guilty of sometimes
reinforcing Nazi-era styled anti-Semitic stereotypes
. While this doesn't necessarily make Goblins in World of Warcraft inherently anti-Semitic, it does mean their handling should be sensitive to this issue. Which is why it's so concerning that
Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
includes a mention of Goblins poisoning the waters.
Well-poisoning is a well-known anti-Semitic stereotype
.
Some of Zekhan's scorn for Goblins can also be seen here.
Many are also upset with the handling of the character Gazlowe, Trade Prince of the Goblins. The chief engineer contracted by Thrall to build Orgrimmar, Gazlowe has a long history of friendship with the Horde, and is usually well-respected and liked as a level-headed hard worker, whose promotion to Trade Prince was well deserved. Horde players may remember Gazlowe from the
quests that unlocked Mechagon
("Gazlowe's crew always get paid") and as the engineer that
helped build the Horde Garrison in Draenor
.
In Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, Galzlowe is portrayed as arrogant and rude. In fact, he sounds so much like Trade Prince Gallywix, some have wondered if the sections involving him were originally intended for Gallywix but changed last minute.
This just doesn't sound like Gazlowe, but it definitely sounds like Gallywix.
All in all,
Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
has left many fans feeling let down, and it's easy to see why. While it is true that sometimes older lore can contain stereotypes that are outdated and recognized as harmful today, it's also true that new lore should try to address and improve on that - rather than reinforce those harmful stereotypes.
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