Shelf Stories - Jason
shelfstoriesgbl.bsky.social
Shelf Stories - Jason
@shelfstoriesgbl.bsky.social
Humanist. Adversity is xp.
It'll always be there - that's how much of myself I put into telling a new REPRESENTATION story. But comparing the reactions to cultural disrespect at least tells me I'm not crazy. It's just time to recalibrate and see where else I can contribute.
November 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Board gaming just isn't the place for me. Not enough Boricua spirit or solidarity with it. I got video games, sports (damn Yankees), books, pickleball, and other stuff. Though I'm doing my best to move on, the reaction to the "garbage" comment brought this all back up for me.
November 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Even among folks on the lefty side, I found very few understood the immediacy of the CULTURAL DISRESPECT angle for me. For us. The colonialism, the 500 years, "gringos win again", all needs to be felt. Or else its shoulder shrugs, "get over yourself", or whatever other bullshit I got.
November 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM
I first tried to address the company. However, I felt not respected and, as the joke goes, dismissed like "garbage". Then I tried different ways to speak with the gaming community. Disastrous. There's only so much misinterpretation, apathy, and ignorance a person can take.
November 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM
There was agreement, but I only had what amounted to a handshake on that, not real contractual protection. That's on me. I exposed myself to harm and separation, which happened. Once the game came out and no one complained about slavery anymore, I was dropped as no longer needed.
November 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM
REPRESENTATION means uplifting creation AND creator. Material benefits and say are shared, not just extracted.
REPRESENTATION, for me, meant ONGOING relationship so I would be involved with further products, outreach and (most important for me) discussions moving forward.
November 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM
...but it reminded me of what did NOT happen when I went through what I did with Ravensburger. I got screwed. They disrespected me AND MY CULTURE, still using the Puerto Rico coat of paint to extract profit for themselves, not showing respectful partnership. A 500 year old story.
November 2, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Many Puerto Ricans get this instinctively. When we heard the garbage "joke", so many of us felt the 500 years of colonialism behind it and reacted accordingly. Bad Bunny! Marc Anthony! Politicians, entertainers, every day people speaking up. It's was beautiful to see...
November 2, 2024 at 2:18 PM
These are two examples among countless ones in Western culture. It matters ALOT in the aggregate. How we are depicted influences and is influenced by how we are materially treated in the world. Puerto Rican poverty is created by gringo policy, justified by gringo cultural ideas.
November 2, 2024 at 2:18 PM
The former is not as obviously mean as the latter, but they come from the same ignorant place. They both MIS-represent my island from gringo perspectives. Slaves or garbage, what a choice! And they both get minimized the same way - "It's just a game" or "it's just a joke".
November 2, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Thanks to all who have reached out to help me through all this, especially Dan Thurot and Rodney Smith. Quality humans, go follow them if you don’t already (can’t seem to get their links to work, but go seek them out!)

And go enjoy the game, if that’s your choice.
September 10, 2024 at 1:02 PM
As any artist knows, if it goes awry. the flip side of that is hurt. But I’m done manifesting that. I tried my best. Time to recalibrate and move on to the next things.
September 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM
I’m posting this because I want love to be at the core of everything I put out, everything I’m known for in this hobby. As art, Puerto Rico 1897 came from a deep place within my heritage and creative, storytelling soul. The millions of players deserved my best and they got it.
September 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM
There is a lot of other kinds of good that can come out of this project. If it leads people to learn more about our people, our history, our culture, and our (10 point) buildings, then that’s also part of what I wanted to accomplish.
September 10, 2024 at 12:59 PM
It all comes down to cultural partnership. Puerto Ricans benefiting from and speaking for the Puerto Rican stuff we make. It’s the only aspect I really care about. This project falls short of that. But as the saying goes, you can’t eat principles. What’s done is done.
September 10, 2024 at 12:59 PM
I want to inform people of what went on from my perspective. If people make individual decisions to not buy this thing, or to start conversations, great. That’s not a “boycott”. People are free to make their own decisions.
August 18, 2024 at 5:57 PM
I want the pubs to treat me and my creation with more respect. I was misled in the opportunities that would be open to me if I shared my theme with them, so that requires redress. There’s nothing I can do legally (I checked), but if consumers make their voices heard, perhaps someone will listen.
August 18, 2024 at 5:48 PM
Thanks, and welcome back!

This video is the nice version. Get me privately and I’ll tell you what I really think ;)
July 30, 2024 at 11:05 AM
Thank you, brother.
May 7, 2024 at 9:13 AM
Thanks so much for sharing out!
May 6, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Not easy, but necessary. Colonization (separation of people from things of value they create or occupy) is over 500 years old, happens in big and small ways, and shows no signs of stopping, only changing. It's on me to fight smarter and build as much real solidarity as I can. Thanks!
May 6, 2024 at 4:11 PM
Thank you for your time and the solidarity!
May 6, 2024 at 3:52 PM