Sexism isn't (just) about numbers. (Destiny)

by Ragashingo , Official DBO Cryptarch, Monday, September 28, 2015, 00:57 (3388 days ago) @ narcogen

Yup, one out of three! Women are 33% of the population, right?
That's a ratio of 11:3. So again, women are 30% of the population, right? That's how it works?
That's ten. Again, women are 30% of the population, right?

Is that how sexism works? We have to have exactly a 50/50 split or the developer is doing it wrong? Or do we need more? To be rid of sexism do two out of every three characters have to be female? Three out of three? Does Bungie need to develop a forth Class not for gameplay reasons but solely so we can have four Vanguard leaders around that table so that two can be male and two can be female?

Fact is, female characters in Destiny hold pivotal positions of power, command forces, make important decision, are almost exclusively shown to be capable and cunning, and (off the top of my head) are never shown in an inferior or negative light. That's what's important! That the sexes are treated fairly, not that the exact numbers come out exactly even in every single example.

For instance:
- 6 out of 7 of the Queen's Paladin commanders were female.
- Almost every single Awoken shown in a combat role, except the Queen's Brother, has been female.
- The entire Hive race appears to start out as and identify as female.
Should these example also be brought to a 50/50 balance?

Ultimately, you're reducing sexism down to an uneven split of numbers while I see it as a much bigger problem that involves the treatment and portrayal of women. Numbers do matter. If we had no or few capable or influential female characters in Destiny it might be time to take a closeer look at why. But we do have them. Several in fact. So yes, there appears to be a few less named female characters in Destiny, but not so few as to be a serious concern, in my opinon. But their treatment? Their portrayal? The things that I would submit are far more important that an exact balance of numbers? I think Bungie is doing just fine.

Maya Sundresh who has a good chance to be the Exo Stranger and who almost certainly was the basis of the Future War Cult,

Mentioned only in the grimoire.

Incorrect. She is, at the very least, also mentioned in the Collectors Edition book and in game via the Hunter class item "The Ishtar Dilemma" who's caption says something like: "Never did answer Sunderesh's question, now did we?" Looking further, I fully expect the Exo Stranger's story to be given a full spotlight at some point in the future based on an old interview where someone at Bungie mentioned that there was a tragic or moving death with regards to the Vex. That the Exo Stranger has by and large only been in the Grimoire could have been said about Crota and Oryx a year ago...