- The coronavirus pandemic 5 years on - 

 

It has now been 5 years since the world experienced the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. 
I think none of us knew what would happen as it went on. But looking back on it now, how do you feel about it? Was the response appropriate? Good? Beneficial?

And how do you feel about the possibility of a future pandemic? Do you think it will be better managed after the experience of the most recent one? What lasting effects have you felt as a result of of the pandemic?

 

 

- The Assassin's Creed controversy - 

 

Assassin's Creed is an internationally popular video game made by French company Ubisoft. So far they have had games set in Israel, Italy, Constantinople, New York, the Caribbean, France, Egypt, Greece, Norway and England (all at various time periods).

The most recent game released this year is set in Japan. But it has caused quite a controversy online due to a number of reasons. Many were initially excited to play this game series set in Japan, but were left confused and disappointed when it was revealed that the main character was a black man called Yasuke. It was claimed that Yasuke was a real black samurai that did exist, but most people claim that although he was real, he wasn't a samurai, he was just a kind of servant to Oda Nobunaga. 

Then there was an issue with putting watermelons into the game which to many felt like a racist stereotype. Of course Japan has watermelons, but the time period of the game didn't have watermelons, especially not in spring (there are lots of cherry blossom visible in the game).
And then finally, there are scenes in the game where the main character destroys a shrine that is a real shrine. Many fans felt this was incredibly disrespectful, and it prompted the topic to be discussed in the Japanese Diet (albeit, incredibly briefly).

 

Why has this particular game been so controversial? Are people just really racist against black people? Or is it something else? And why are people so protective of Japanese culture (even foreign people), despite seemingly being ok playing other games in the same series destroying buildings and places in other cities and countries?

 

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3