Ridiculous Rename

Q u o t e:
My brother, Crackerelf, was flagged for a rename today. He has had his character for a little over two years now without a problem.

I understand that the word "cracker" carries a racial slur with it, but that isn't the case with his name. It was originally my father's character from Burning Crusade. He named him "Crackerelf" because he works for Lance Inc., an international company that sells and distributes crackers and other snack foods, and the character happened to be a Blood Elf.

While this doesn't seem like a big deal, you have to remember that people have learned to know him as "Cracker," or "the Cracker." I don't understand how it can take two years for one person to claim racism, then he get flagged for a rename.

Please reconsider, and give him his name back.

We understand how important and personal character names can be. Unfortunately, you stated that he had this name for two year 'without a problem'. That's not strictly accurate, as the problem is that he had an inappropriate name for all that time without being reported.

It is possible that others viewing that name saw only plump, benevolent cartoon elves living in a tree and baking soft batch cookies. Unfortunately, that term carries with it clear and heavy racial connotations as well, and for many others that view that name, substantially less pleasant images and emotions spring to mind. Please understand that our policy enforcement regarding character names is reactive and not proactive. It is possible that this name existed for some time before someone felt it necessary to report it.

As we need to consider every angle, as well as the overall impact of a character name, when something like this is reported to us. While it is unlikely that this naming decision will be reversed, the only appropriate avenue for your brother to pursue a review of this decision is by email [email protected].

If you should happen to see a character name that you find inappropriate, please report the exact character name to us, as well as the realm the character is found on, via an in-game petition. Our staff will be more than happy to investigate the situation.

Q u o t e:
you have to remember that people have learned to know him as "Cracker," or "the Cracker."

So, by choosing this name, he's put other accounts in jeopardy by their continued use of a racial slur?

Q u o t e:
Cracker isn't a racial slur.

I don't believe that you're in the position of making that determination.

The only reason I haven't edited it out of every post in this thread was for the sake of clarity, and so that other readers would not assume a different slur entirely.

Regardless, pursuing the matter with me is fruitless, and if your brother has already contacted our Account Administration department, then they will appropriately review the matter at hand.

Q u o t e:
Its ridiculous because its as if he saying "cracker" isn't even a food anymore. Anytime anyone says it, they mean something racist.

Its just stressful because there are too many words that have racial slurs, and they don't really care about it's actual definition.

Our goal is to provide the best possible environment for all of our players. A crucial part of that is enforcing our policies to remove influences which may offend and disrupt the experience. For this reason, we don't have the luxury of reviewing a name or statement strictly in a single context, but we must consider the overall impact that it may have.

I'm sorry if you find name selection stressful, but I really hope that it's not too difficult to avoid a common racial slur. Millions of players have successfully done so.

Q u o t e:
That's it, I'm going down to my grocery store to demand they remove every box of saltines from their shelves, as the boxes contain a racist term! I'm betting I won't get far with this, as it's all a matter of context. *shrugs*, who knows, but I have never looked at the term as racist, even remotely.

You are correct. The word 'cracker' in that case though, is used in the correct context.

Context is essential. The word is used appropriately on a box of crackers. In the context of a World of Warcraft character name, it is potentially a serious violation of our policies.

Q u o t e:
<removed>

Just incase you need your database updated.

Thanks, but we're than capable of identifying common racial slurs without the benefit of extensive lists of extraordinarily obscure forms linked on this forum. What is it that you hope to accomplish here, Zarathrusta?

Q u o t e:
So by appealing to one persons 'environment' you ruin another persons?

If that person selected, in violation of the rules they agreed to when they created an account, a name that contains a potential racial slur in violation of our policies? Then, yes, we will take the steps necessary to alter the name in question.

Every player is responsible for upholding our policies. Racial slurs are very simply not appropriate for the World of Warcraft.

Q u o t e:
How do you go about changing a name that has been that same for two years and just up and change it because someone probably got angry and reported him.

To be completely frank, it doesn't matter why someone reported it. What matters is how we interpret it against our policies once the name is before us for review.

Q u o t e:

What is common to you isn't common to other people.

What I'm saying is that is only racist because you are taking it in that context. Just because I know it as a racial slur, doesn't mean that every time I look at the work "cracker" I automatically flag it as racist.

The important point here is that we are the ultimate and final arbiters of whether a name is in violation of our policies. Period.

Q u o t e:
I mean I could come close to spending all day long standing around in Dalaran on a high population server, reporting names for bizarre contextual references if I really wanted to, but I don't.

You certainly could, and then we would interpret them against common usage and potential impact on our players and the playing environment as a whole =).

Q u o t e:
It's vary rare for someone to just out of the blue pass a character, stop and go "OMG I'm so reporting them", as I know I've never done that, and I even have kids who play the game.

Extending your own anecdotal experience to apply to the behavior and impressions of other people is often a grave error. I think you would find it surprising how often this occurs.

Regardless, I explained earlier that the motivation regarding why a name is reported is unimportant. What is important is how we interpret the name in question once it comes time for us to review a name.

I'd like to help foment some understanding here, but it seems as though I'm not being heard =(.

Q u o t e:
A search of armory shows 3 others in the US. Also lock the name out, I know there are names that are locked out already.

The armory is notoriously unreliable for determining the volume of a given character, guild or player name. It can update slowly, and often displayed names, if inappropriate, have already been dealt with.

Q u o t e:
I thought a cracker is something i put in my soup?

They are. Significantly for the purpose of this discussion, It is also a common slur against caucasians of a certain economic and cultural background.

Q u o t e:
I was 15 at the time i created my account i am 17 now

i understand the racial slur but once again it was not intended to be a racial slur and everyone who knows me in games understands what it stands for

That's fine, we understand the mistakes can happen. Please keep in mind that those who don't know you may not be aware of that, and the name was changed because it was deemed a violation of our policies.

At this point, your best bet is to select a name that doesn't violate our policies, and continue to enjoy World of Warcraft. If you want to dispute the name change, your only appropriate avenue to do so is via email at [email protected].

Q u o t e:
look at half the people that report others...

how can you make someone with the name crackerelf change his name when he was reported by a guy named deeznuts?

I think that I may not have been direct enough in my prior communications, so I'm going to try a different approach. Please understand that I do not mean to offend, I only mean to be as clear and direct as possible:

What you think the name means does not factor into our analysis.

What your friends and family think the name means does not factor into our analysis.

How long you've persisted in having an offensive name does not factor into our analysis.

Whether an offensive word in the name has other, less offensive meanings in other contexts does not factor into our analysis.

The name of the person issuing a report does not factor into our analysis. (Though if you encounter inappropriate names, we encourage you to report them).

The motivation of a person issuing a report does not factor into our analysis.

How and when you personally decide to report names does not factor into our analysis.

What does factor into our analysis:

Whether a name represents a potential violation of our policies and a degradation of the quality of the experience we are working to offer.

Clearly, no further progress will be made in this thread. I'm locking it now.