PlayStation and Sony Interactive Entertainment, well known as one of the largest and most successful video game brands and companies in Japan, has released an official statement against the rise of Asian American and Pacific Islander hate crimes since the start of the pandemic. In the past, PlayStation has shown support for other social movements, such as Black Lives Matter, so it comes as no surprise a statement was made regarding this rising issue.
The statement itself comes by way of the official PlayStation Twitter account, where the company calls for action against the rising number of hate crimes. Additionally, PlayStation and SIE announced it will be making a donation to the Stop AAPI Hate nonprofit organization, while urging others to educate themselves on the ongoing issue and to donate if they can.
Though the tweet is naturally brief, it is clear and precise in conveying the sentiment those associated with PlayStation feel about the well-established rise in Asian American hate crimes over the past year or so. For those who may be unaware of this ongoing issue, it has been reported by various news and media outlets, such as CNN and NBC, that Asian Americans hate crimes have risen at least 150% in the last year, with Asian Americans reporting being the targets of harassments over 500 times in just the last two months. Many have speculated these hate crimes began to rise in part due to the coronavirus pandemic originating in China.
Naturally, PlayStation, being a brand that originated in one of the most prominent Asian countries, would have strong feelings about this social issue. Though PlayStation and Sony are largely Japanese-oriented, the company is well-known for having a very large presence in the West, as well as in Asian territories. That, compounded with the undoubtedly broad demographic of players who own PlayStation products, gives PlayStation just that much more investment into the issue, similar to the rise in awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement last year.
Of course, some detractors may say that this is nothing more than a brand trying to virtue signal a relevant social movement for immediate attention. For example, many social media users criticized Twitch’s BLM video for similar reasons, after many deemed the video in poor taste due to the inclusion of mostly white streamers. However, regardless of personal feelings it is important in and of itself that PlayStation is bringing more awareness to this issue at all. Additionally, it is abundantly clear that PlayStation and Sony, given the brand and company’s history, would be sincere about supporting this social movement.
In many ways, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has strangely brought many people together over the past year, despite the numerous hardships many people have suffered through. Unfortunately, the pandemic has also divided people in countless ways, both physically and intangibly, over the past year or so. Sadly, it seems it will continue to do so for some time beyond it, as is evidenced by the growing number of reports of these targeted hate crimes. Hopefully, as PlayStation‘s tweet suggests, those with the financial means can support organization like Stop AAPI Hate in these important times.
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