10 Stupid Arguments About Grand Theft Auto That Make No Sense

6. GTA V Is Racist

The Argument: GTA V has especially gotten plenty of heat for its apparently "racist" depictions of black people in particular. The "evidence" stems from the frequent use of the n-word throughout and constant depictions of blacks as criminals and gang members. Why It Makes No Sense: The PC brigade's knee-jerk reaction to Franklin's dialogues with Lamar and other black characters completely ignores the fact that Rockstar recruited actual gang members to record the game's dialogue, and invited them to tweak anything that didn't sound authentic. All the game is doing is holding a mirror up to gang culture in Los Angeles: this is how black gangsters might talk to one another. In addition, it's worth considering that Franklin is easily the most likeable of the three main characters, and the two other main criminals are both white. Furthermore, it's clear throughout the game that Rockstar are equal opportunities misanthropes: they mock everyone from blacks to Asians, and whites are probably the most-stereotyped race in the entire game, given the abundance of rednecks kicking around Los Santos. It's not unreasonable for people to feel a little uncomfortable around the abundance of the n-word in GTA V, but it doesn't make the game or Rockstar racist for including it.