Dr. Akil Fletcher
@theblackblackmage.bsky.social
Anthropology Ph.D. | Postdoc & Lecturer at Princeton University | Studies Black gaming communities| Gamer | Has probably seen all of your favorite anime
It is the end of an era! For those who didn't know, I am in my last year of my postdoc at Princeton, and I am currently teaching "Gaming Blackness" here for the final time. Yesterday, I had Black Pokémon community leader Michelangelo Hayes come talk about his work with my class as a our final guest!
November 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It is the end of an era! For those who didn't know, I am in my last year of my postdoc at Princeton, and I am currently teaching "Gaming Blackness" here for the final time. Yesterday, I had Black Pokémon community leader Michelangelo Hayes come talk about his work with my class as a our final guest!
Hey folks, I was lucky enough to be invited onto Ashley ML Guajardo (Brown)'s stream/podcast, The Work Left Behind. If you're free Thursday night at 9 pm EST, feel free to stop by!
Twitch twitch.tv/professor_ashley
YouTube www.youtube.com/@TheResearch...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6pATELL...
Twitch twitch.tv/professor_ashley
YouTube www.youtube.com/@TheResearch...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6pATELL...
October 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Hey folks, I was lucky enough to be invited onto Ashley ML Guajardo (Brown)'s stream/podcast, The Work Left Behind. If you're free Thursday night at 9 pm EST, feel free to stop by!
Twitch twitch.tv/professor_ashley
YouTube www.youtube.com/@TheResearch...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6pATELL...
Twitch twitch.tv/professor_ashley
YouTube www.youtube.com/@TheResearch...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6pATELL...
I don't know who needs to hear this, but clarity is not the absence of rigor.
It is okay to write for the homies back home.
It is okay to write for the homies back home.
September 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I don't know who needs to hear this, but clarity is not the absence of rigor.
It is okay to write for the homies back home.
It is okay to write for the homies back home.
Reposted by Dr. Akil Fletcher
Emerging Voices in Black Games @thegamesinstitute.bsky.social from last year. We had a moment to discuss this great panel featuring @theblackblackmage.bsky.social, Cyan DeVeux, and Steven Dashiell. #brocku www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YX...
Emerging Voices in Black Games Studies [FULL GUEST LECTURE]
YouTube video by TheGamesInstitute
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Emerging Voices in Black Games @thegamesinstitute.bsky.social from last year. We had a moment to discuss this great panel featuring @theblackblackmage.bsky.social, Cyan DeVeux, and Steven Dashiell. #brocku www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YX...
I can not express the immense joy I had conducting research at The Strong Museum of Play. Not only did I get to rummage through the history of video games, but I also beat multiple high scores for Dance Dance Revolution.
For those who can, I recommend visiting the space as soon as you can!
For those who can, I recommend visiting the space as soon as you can!
August 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I can not express the immense joy I had conducting research at The Strong Museum of Play. Not only did I get to rummage through the history of video games, but I also beat multiple high scores for Dance Dance Revolution.
For those who can, I recommend visiting the space as soon as you can!
For those who can, I recommend visiting the space as soon as you can!
Post
One of the best things @marvel-rivals.bsky.social did was use Demon Days Psylocke (a Japanese woman named Sai), instead of using the 616 Psylocke, who was a British woman inhabiting a Japanese woman's body, because... comics.
One of the best things @marvel-rivals.bsky.social did was use Demon Days Psylocke (a Japanese woman named Sai), instead of using the 616 Psylocke, who was a British woman inhabiting a Japanese woman's body, because... comics.
July 28, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Post
One of the best things @marvel-rivals.bsky.social did was use Demon Days Psylocke (a Japanese woman named Sai), instead of using the 616 Psylocke, who was a British woman inhabiting a Japanese woman's body, because... comics.
One of the best things @marvel-rivals.bsky.social did was use Demon Days Psylocke (a Japanese woman named Sai), instead of using the 616 Psylocke, who was a British woman inhabiting a Japanese woman's body, because... comics.
I have been told I don't sing my praises enough, so here is today's win.
I just found out that my classes, Gaming Blackness and Digital Anthropology, are not only ranked at the top of the Anthropology department but are also among the highest-rated courses at Princeton University.
I just found out that my classes, Gaming Blackness and Digital Anthropology, are not only ranked at the top of the Anthropology department but are also among the highest-rated courses at Princeton University.
July 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I have been told I don't sing my praises enough, so here is today's win.
I just found out that my classes, Gaming Blackness and Digital Anthropology, are not only ranked at the top of the Anthropology department but are also among the highest-rated courses at Princeton University.
I just found out that my classes, Gaming Blackness and Digital Anthropology, are not only ranked at the top of the Anthropology department but are also among the highest-rated courses at Princeton University.
As DiGRA 25 comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to attend our workshop Black and Latine Game Studies: Assemblages of Power.
Big shout out to Carlos Kelly, Regina Mills, and @kishonna.bsky.social for being amazing partners in this project!
Big shout out to Carlos Kelly, Regina Mills, and @kishonna.bsky.social for being amazing partners in this project!
July 6, 2025 at 10:18 AM
As DiGRA 25 comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to attend our workshop Black and Latine Game Studies: Assemblages of Power.
Big shout out to Carlos Kelly, Regina Mills, and @kishonna.bsky.social for being amazing partners in this project!
Big shout out to Carlos Kelly, Regina Mills, and @kishonna.bsky.social for being amazing partners in this project!
As we all know, moving is hard, and relocation wasn't easy on my oldest kid. But a couple of months ago she decided she wanted to earn student of the month and today she finally achieved that!! I AM SO PROUD OF MY BABY GIRL!
June 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
As we all know, moving is hard, and relocation wasn't easy on my oldest kid. But a couple of months ago she decided she wanted to earn student of the month and today she finally achieved that!! I AM SO PROUD OF MY BABY GIRL!
Not gonna lie. These midnight releases are starting to destroy me... but oh well, it's Mario time!
June 5, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Not gonna lie. These midnight releases are starting to destroy me... but oh well, it's Mario time!
Reposted by Dr. Akil Fletcher
excited to get my hands on a copy of @nassimparvin.bsky.social and Neda Atanasoski's new (and very good looking) @dukepress.bsky.social book, Technocreep and the Politics of Things Not Seen. i've got a chapter in there offering some preliminary thoughts on transductive labor in vocal biomarker AI
May 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
excited to get my hands on a copy of @nassimparvin.bsky.social and Neda Atanasoski's new (and very good looking) @dukepress.bsky.social book, Technocreep and the Politics of Things Not Seen. i've got a chapter in there offering some preliminary thoughts on transductive labor in vocal biomarker AI
When you do work that challenges the norm, academia can, at times, feel isolated. But, I felt nothing but love and joy at the 2025 Association of Black Anthropologist Conference in Dakar, Senegal.
Here's to reinvigoration! So expect new pieces from me soon! #Blackanthropology #videogamesinanthro
Here's to reinvigoration! So expect new pieces from me soon! #Blackanthropology #videogamesinanthro
May 21, 2025 at 12:04 AM
When you do work that challenges the norm, academia can, at times, feel isolated. But, I felt nothing but love and joy at the 2025 Association of Black Anthropologist Conference in Dakar, Senegal.
Here's to reinvigoration! So expect new pieces from me soon! #Blackanthropology #videogamesinanthro
Here's to reinvigoration! So expect new pieces from me soon! #Blackanthropology #videogamesinanthro
Day 1 of the Global Black Anthro conference in Senegal! #anthropologist #anthropology
May 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Day 1 of the Global Black Anthro conference in Senegal! #anthropologist #anthropology
I always love the games at the Charles de gaulle airport!
May 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I always love the games at the Charles de gaulle airport!
I recently found out that one of the undergraduate students I helped mentor got into his dream master's program at Stanford!
While times may be tough, I am happy to see how support can help lift one another.
While times may be tough, I am happy to see how support can help lift one another.
May 6, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I recently found out that one of the undergraduate students I helped mentor got into his dream master's program at Stanford!
While times may be tough, I am happy to see how support can help lift one another.
While times may be tough, I am happy to see how support can help lift one another.
We're going live! www.twitch.tv/humanitiesat...
April 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
We're going live! www.twitch.tv/humanitiesat...
Hey folks! If you're free tonight, feel free to join me for the Nevada Humanities stream, where I will be playing League of Legends and discussing Blackness and representation in gaming!
Check the link for time!
www.nevadahumanities.org/events/human...
Check the link for time!
www.nevadahumanities.org/events/human...
Black Gaming Communities and Practices with Akil Fletcher — Nevada Humanities
April 24, 2025 Online - Twitch
www.nevadahumanities.org
April 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Hey folks! If you're free tonight, feel free to join me for the Nevada Humanities stream, where I will be playing League of Legends and discussing Blackness and representation in gaming!
Check the link for time!
www.nevadahumanities.org/events/human...
Check the link for time!
www.nevadahumanities.org/events/human...
Nintendo delaying the pre-order for the Switch 2 due to Trump's tariffs is a wonderful example that video games have always been political...
April 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Nintendo delaying the pre-order for the Switch 2 due to Trump's tariffs is a wonderful example that video games have always been political...
Hey folks, My Magfest talk "Masks Off: How video games tell non-Black stories with Black faces" was uploaded to youtube!
Feel free to check it out here:
youtu.be/lNNzjuc0dEM?...
Feel free to check it out here:
youtu.be/lNNzjuc0dEM?...
MAGFest 2025: Masks Off - How Video Games Tell Non-Black Stories with Black Faces
YouTube video by MAGFest
youtu.be
April 3, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Hey folks, My Magfest talk "Masks Off: How video games tell non-Black stories with Black faces" was uploaded to youtube!
Feel free to check it out here:
youtu.be/lNNzjuc0dEM?...
Feel free to check it out here:
youtu.be/lNNzjuc0dEM?...
I'm not ashamed to admit that the only game on the Switch 2 Direct that got me to shout at the top of my lungs was the new Kirby Air Riders.
I put hundreds of hours into Kirby Air Ride when I was kid, just collecting pieces of Dragoon and flying around. We up!
I put hundreds of hours into Kirby Air Ride when I was kid, just collecting pieces of Dragoon and flying around. We up!
a cartoon drawing of kirby with the name natsuring0 on the bottom
ALT: a cartoon drawing of kirby with the name natsuring0 on the bottom
media.tenor.com
April 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
I'm not ashamed to admit that the only game on the Switch 2 Direct that got me to shout at the top of my lungs was the new Kirby Air Riders.
I put hundreds of hours into Kirby Air Ride when I was kid, just collecting pieces of Dragoon and flying around. We up!
I put hundreds of hours into Kirby Air Ride when I was kid, just collecting pieces of Dragoon and flying around. We up!
The #NintendoSwitch2 is going to bring me unbridled joy in these dark times. I can't wait to play the new games with my kids and students!
Be warned I am going to be aggressively disrespectful in Mario Kart World....
Be warned I am going to be aggressively disrespectful in Mario Kart World....
April 2, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The #NintendoSwitch2 is going to bring me unbridled joy in these dark times. I can't wait to play the new games with my kids and students!
Be warned I am going to be aggressively disrespectful in Mario Kart World....
Be warned I am going to be aggressively disrespectful in Mario Kart World....
Hey folks! Feel free to join me for my first Assassin's Creed Shadows playthrough! It's going live now!
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
TheBlackBlackMage - Twitch
Assassin Creed Shadows playthrough with academic commentary
www.twitch.tv
March 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Hey folks! Feel free to join me for my first Assassin's Creed Shadows playthrough! It's going live now!
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
Ok, I'm finally going to rip off the bandage and give this streaming thing a shot!
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
If you're available, feel free to join me tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:00 p.m., where I will be streaming my playthrough of Assassin's Creed Shadows.
(I'll try not to swear)
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
If you're available, feel free to join me tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:00 p.m., where I will be streaming my playthrough of Assassin's Creed Shadows.
(I'll try not to swear)
TheBlackBlackMage - Twitch
A tired Black dad with an Anthropology Ph.D. and loves gaming!
www.twitch.tv
March 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Ok, I'm finally going to rip off the bandage and give this streaming thing a shot!
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
If you're available, feel free to join me tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:00 p.m., where I will be streaming my playthrough of Assassin's Creed Shadows.
(I'll try not to swear)
www.twitch.tv/theblackblac...
If you're available, feel free to join me tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:00 p.m., where I will be streaming my playthrough of Assassin's Creed Shadows.
(I'll try not to swear)
Since I will be playing Assassin's Creed Shadows for the first time tonight, I figured it would be a good time to reshare this article I co-authored with Kimberly Hassel and John G Russel!
If there is interest, I may consider streaming my playthrough!
criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2...
If there is interest, I may consider streaming my playthrough!
criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2...
Commentary | Kimberly Hassel, Akil Fletcher, and John G. Russell, Stranger Than Fiction?: Yasuke and the Assassin’s Creed: Shadows Controversy — Critical Asian Studies
Introduction “Nothing is true; everything is permitted.” — Assassin’s maxim, Assassin’s Creed On May 15th, 2024, video game publisher Ubisoft released the trailer for the anticipated next in...
criticalasianstudies.org
March 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Since I will be playing Assassin's Creed Shadows for the first time tonight, I figured it would be a good time to reshare this article I co-authored with Kimberly Hassel and John G Russel!
If there is interest, I may consider streaming my playthrough!
criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2...
If there is interest, I may consider streaming my playthrough!
criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2...