On January 8, 2006, former attorney Jack Thompson made this statement in a story in the Tacoma News Tribune. He said “If some wacked-out adult wants to spend his time playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, one has to wonder why he doesn’t get a life, but when it comes to kids, it has a demonstrable impact on their behavior and the development of the frontal lobes of their brain.”

On January 6th, 2021, this happened.

We all stood and watched in awe, with a large range of emotions running: rage, sadness, disappointment, concern… Seeing what was happening, all for one person who believes in a falsehood of reason on why he didn’t win the 2020 presidential election. The world watched as the United States was crumbling under the chaos. I was watching. We were all watching.

I was enjoying a lot of Nintendo news as the horror unfolded. I never thought something like this could happen. Knowing that I had to go to work, I decided to go dark on social media so I could have a positive mindset during my shift. I had to keep things professional. Mentally, though, I wanted tears to flow. Is this what we have become when we can’t get something we want? Is this the result of jealousy, anger, and hate? I didn’t shed those tears, but the pain I felt was surely real.

Why was there a need for this? Why would they fight for indecency and supremacy to continue for four more years, for racism, sexism, homophobia, and other problematic types to continue to be the norm, for people to die during a pandemic? The current “leader” occupying the White House tried to hide from us, the American people, and the country he claims to loves so much.

I stopped cursing a long time ago, but recently I’ve found myself throwing around the f-bomb here and there. I am not perfect by any stretch, but I can admit I used it. As a black bisexual, I had to take a step back and ask myself “should I be angry”? Should I be ready to act out? I have seen others do it but since I went dark, I knew I did for a purpose.

I am part of Boss Rush Games. I am a cofounder with Corey Dirrig and Jesse Douglas. We have a great team of content creators, video producers, hosts, writers, musicians, and supporters. We live by the motto Play Games, Be Better. Recently we even added “Be You. Be More” so we can continue to encourage everyone to be their best selves. We want our community to see what makes us better to one another each and every day with our podcasts and our other content. We can disagree on things but at the end of the day, we have that respect for each other. I have that respect level for not only the team but our community as well.

I was taught to be honest, respectful, and helpful to those in need. Even if I get nothing in return, I am being myself. I always work hard to be better. I have my days, sure, though even then, I want to show by example what it means to be better. When I take a look at what happened at Capitol, those people represent the negative side that we don’t strive for. They represent what’s wrong. We don’t want any part of that of destruction or mentality. It is not welcome here.

Take a look at the video again. Ask yourself “what does this have to do with me”? See it in this manner. The actions they took upon themselves. It’s disgusting. Now look at this.

When George Floyd’s life was taken, Black Lives Matter protests around the country gathered peacefully, helping people fight for their voice, fight to end police brutality, and wanting reform of systematic injustice. Too many of us could lose our lives because of a traffic stop. As we looked at the news, social media, and other platforms, we saw allies who unified with us, various people not only in our own backyard, but from around the world. We even saw an Amish family support the movement.

During one incident, tear gas flooded a crowd so a photo op could take place. On the podcast, Unholier Than Thou on Crooked Media, host Phillip Picardi spoke more about it. As the protests went on, more effort went into trying to stop it instead of seeing the big picture. No matter what, the movement persisted into the summer.

If you viewed the BLM protest at all negatively and not the Capitol building attacks, can you ask yourself why? Here at Boss Rush Games, we want to provide an escape, a place of acceptance, laughs, food talk, music, and being real with everyone. We did a BLM panel and a pride panel which was a first for all of us. That was a way to help us learn to be better and show what Boss Rush Games is about. We want to do more. You should want to do more, to be better.

If you don’t want issues like these to affect your enjoyment, you have every right to walk away and not support us. It is your right. Before you do that, look at the games you own and the communities and sites you do follow and support. Are they similar in taste and our personalities?

I am a black bisexual male who loves games, people, animals, and this community. I know my opinions are vastly different from others but the team knows I can help make their day better, so I do what I can. I want to show why I strive to be better everyday. If I offend or hurt anyone, I’ll be the first to apologize. I grew up being made fun of by my own race and my lack of friends for years. I started to believe in myself and do my best and with the friends I have and this crew I have. We are not the people who attacked the Capitol building nor do we support it. We will be better. We will support and highlight diversity. We will build a bridge for people to be free and feel welcome.

No matter what happens in the next four years, we have a lot to work on as a country. I have things to work on. I want Boss Rush Games to succeed unlike no other. I want you, the reader to succeed in life and show others that positivity and encouragement can go a long way and what kindness is all about. If that isn’t your cup of tea, well… here some coffee and cream. Try it. Live a life with acceptance and equality. It’ll help your world feel brighter. If you still don’t want any part of it, then there’s nothing I can do but move on and work to make somebody else’s day better.

I am who I am. I am not the Jack Thompson quote, I am a gamer, content creator, and hope to be a better leader. I am going to be more. I am going to be better. I hope you will too and join us on the journey.

With all my love, snacks, and Woo-Hoo’s,

Eddie V.

aka That Retro Code