marquis Wrote: I looked it up and it turns out there really is a fighting style called Sambo as its described in Cyrax's Konquest mode, but I still think it is at the very least racially insensitive.

I doubt that the MK Team was trying to be racially insensitive with giving Cyrax Sambo, but isn't Sambo a form of RUSSIAN wrestling?

Sambo is also a racial slur.

Jerrod is right. Why would they make racist comments about cyrax. Im sure it was a mistake.

I think it's possible that they put it in as a tasteless inside joke that they figured would not be caught.

Think about it. It's kind of ironic that one of the black characters got this fighting style. Furthermore, I would suggest that it is even more ironic that Cyrax is that character, because I guarantee you they would not give it to Jax who is much more obviously black (increasing the chances that their little joke goes unnoticed).

Now, I'm not eliminating the possibility that this was an honest mistake, but even if they didn't put it in on purpose, they shouldn't have allowed it to happen. There is something to say for political correctness.

Aside from that I love the game, and this isn't going to stop me from playing it. But it is a little dissapointing.

Ive never heard Sambo as a racial sur in my life, and being black, I think I would be one to know of it, but I'll take your word for it.

Not cool Midway.

Common guys I researched the word sambo, and its a very popular Russian art.

Anyways, its an Indian slur.

Maybe they had no idea that it even was a racial slur at the time they gave it to Cyrax?

or maybe its not even a racial slur..at least not for blacks

at least he doesn't have a nigger fighting stance, then u can bitch

Well, that never really came to my mind when using Cyrax's Sambo style. Isn't Sambo supposed to be a military type of martial art? Well that would be kind of fitting since Cyrax is now associated with The Special Forces. Then again, I would have like Jax to have had Sambo instead of having Judo.

mister_satan666 Wrote: or maybe its not even a racial slur..at least not for blacks at least he doesn't have a nigger fighting stance, then u can bitch

sambo

\Sam"bo\, n. [Sp. zambo, sambo.] A colloquial or humorous appellation for a negro; sometimes, the offspring of a black person and a mulatto; a zambo.


Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.


It's called the dictionary genius, and it doesn't even have ALL the racial slurs in the world, just those that are quite prthisthingisdisabledent.

I am shocked to hear so few people have heard of this word, but in a way I suppose that's a good thing. I am not sure of your ages, but I might suggest that perhaps the reason so many of you haven't heard it before is because you are too young. I think the chances that the MK makers had heard this word before at their age is much higher. I would further suggest that considering the amount of people who were involved in making MK, the chance that NONE of them recognized this word is pretty slim. Anyway, I never said Sambo wasn't a fighting style, in fact it is quite a popular Russian fighting style. All my points about the unlikely coincidence of Cyrax receiving this style remain however.

If anyone still has any doubts about the word Sambo, look at the controversy surrounding the rerelease of the book Little Black Sambo (which doesn't even concern Africans, but Indians).

There's no need to get testy.

I'm 20 and I've never heard the word Sambo used as a racial slur. I think you may be putting too much into this...

Sambo is a very popular fighting style for fighting game characters, look at Bayman and Leon from DOA. Or Blue Mary from Fatal Fury/King of Fighters, or Sonia from Rage of the Dragons. It's pretty much a staple fighting style, even though it's not really represented well in DA.

I'm almost 100% sure that this is likely just a cooincidence. I mean, why would the MK team honestly do this if in the end it would only alienate fans that they're trying to attract? It doesn't make sense.

I didn't realize it was such a common fighting style. That certainly adds credibility to the claim that this was unintentional.

Mister Satan watch your mouth. Marquiz, I dunno. I strongly doubt it though. Ive never heard the word in my life.

sorry, i should have said argue instead of bitch

I'm sorry but this thread is just plain stupid; Sambo is a fighting style nothing more.

I should create a thread about Eagle Claw being prejudiced towards birds and write a lengthy persuasive argument about how it's offensive to imitate animals. I really hate when people nit pick over nothing. I can’t believe people waste time thinking about stuff like this.

Yeah you are right. Even if that is a mistake that is something they should check up on. I do have to say all the MK games unfortunatly have sterotypes- racial and otherwise.

Well it is more than nothing... just cause you don't like it, does not give you the right to say what is and what isn't!!! Whether it is about race or any subject that is arrogant- where do you get off?

Nikodemus Wrote: I'm sorry but this thread is just plain stupid; Sambo is a fighting style nothing more. I should create a thread about Eagle Claw being prejudiced towards birds and write a lengthy persuasive argument about how it's offensive to imitate animals. I really hate when people nit pick over nothing. I can’t believe people waste time thinking about stuff like this.

mister_satan666 Wrote: sorry, i should have said argue instead of bitch

You know damn well what you said, mistersatan, and I dare you to say it again. I remember past things you've done in MIRC. Such as me saying I was black in one of my trivia chats and you leaving. Just watch it.

i seriously thought u were talking about the bitch comment. as for the N-word(we'll call it) was used not as an insult, but rather an example.

and when did i ever leave the chatroom when u said u were black? i seriously dont remeber that, nor do i know that u are black nor do i care

Where do I get off? Who the hell sits there playing a video game and thinks; wow I think the people at Midway are racist because they gave a certain fighting style to a black character. That is plain retarded... give me a break! Better not give a Japanese martial art style to the Chinese characters or vice versa that could be considered an insult! I don't see how you can call me arrogant for pointing out the pure stupidity of the allegation that the Mortal Kombat team is racist. No one at Midway is racist they just gave out a bunch of fighting styles to the various characters. Either way it’s just a damn fighting style it’s not some sorta conspiracy.

born-again-vampire Wrote: Well it is more than nothing... just cause you don't like it, does not give you the right to say what is and what isn't!!! Whether it is about race or any subject that is arrogant- where do you get off?

The thing is, Nikodemus, since Cyrax doesn't really have any relations to Russia, it's strange that he would have Sambo and be black at the same time.

Versatile, it was pretty obvious Mister Satan didn't mean to say nigger as an insult to anyone. I'm not racist, and I'm pretty sure he isn't racist either. Just because we say the words doesn't mean we're trying to offend anyone.

Ed Boon: Hey lets piss off all the african americans and give Cyrax Sambo.
John Vogel: Yah nothing better then pissin them off.
Everyone else: HAHHAHAHAHAHA lets do that!
Dan Forden: ...I don't get it.
Everyone: HAHAHAH

Yah I can see this conversation taking place...

Zentile Wrote: The thing is, Nikodemus, since Cyrax doesn't really have any relations to Russia, it's strange that he would have Sambo and be black at the same time.

You still didn't answer the question.

Nikodemus Wrote: Where do I get off? Who the hell sits there playing a video game and thinks; wow I think the people at Midway are racist because they gave a certain fighting style to a black character. That is plain retarded... give me a break! Better not give a Japanese martial art style to the Chinese characters or vice versa that could be considered an insult! I don't see how you can call me arrogant for pointing out the pure stupidity of the allegation that the Mortal Kombat team is racist. No one at Midway is racist they just gave out a bunch of fighting styles to the various characters. Either way it’s just a damn fighting style it’s not some sorta conspiracy. born-again-vampire Wrote: Well it is more than nothing... just cause you don't like it, does not give you the right to say what is and what isn't!!! Whether it is about race or any subject that is arrogant- where do you get off?

He gets off at the San Rio Plaza, what more do you want?



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