The Scratching That Itch series is where I randomly select and write about one of the 1741 games and game-related things included in the itch.io Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality. The Bundle raised $8,149,829.66 split evenly between the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and Community Bail Fund, but don’t worry if you missed it. There are plenty of ways you can help support the vital cause of racial justice; try here for a start. Lastly, as always, you may click on images to view larger versions.
Today marks six years since I started the Scratching That Itch series. So how are we doing with racial justice? Badly. Last year I said things would get worse before they got better, and I was right. In America our government is now openly fascist, sending masked agents into our streets to murder people. The Supreme Court just gutted the Voting Rights Act, and at least one state is already redrawing voting districts in order to disenfranchise Black voters in the upcoming Congressional midterm elections. The president started a war with Iran because people found out that he’s a pedophile — and part of an organized network of pedophiles who hold powerful positions around the world. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, alongside Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Which, incidentally, is still being supported by the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany, India, and many others.
Now is the time to resist. Vote, protest, organize. But also let yourself feel joy. When facing fascism, which is based on hate and oppression, feeling joy can be an act of rebellion. Don’t ignore the injustices we’re facing, but don’t let them take away your joy, either. If you need some help finding joy right now, perhaps my favorite selections from year six of Scratching That Itch — picked from the 23 games or game-related things I covered this year — will help. Incidentally, that brings our total number of selections to 240, more than 13% of the entire bundle! Read about my favorite picks below.
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