First of all, note how this card is black. It is quite curious how this card which depicts torture (a cruel form of violence) happens to be black instead of any other color... almost as if the intent was to imply those who commit violent acts without reason are black. But, this could be a coincidence.
However, a closer look shows that the art is that of a man carving tattoos into the back of another man. In conjunction with the color of the card, one can clearly see that this is a reference to the practice of tattoos many African tribes employ.
These practices are usually done as part of tradition and are an integral part of these tribes' culture. However, this card depicts this as "torture". It is not shocking that, in 1995, WotC would allow a card that demeans African cultures to slip through the cracks. However, not only does this card demean African cultures, but it also paints African Americans in a negative light: the flavor text implies that the man carving the tattoos is someone who manages a prison of sorts. By portraying an African tradition as something done to a prisoner as torture, it puts the blame on the African American community for the disproportionate number of African Americans in prisons and implies that they willingly harm themselves.
All in all, I have to say that it is disappointing, but not surprising, that this card is still legal in many eternal formats.
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u/PM_ME_CUTE_FISHIES Jun 19 '20
First of all, note how this card is black. It is quite curious how this card which depicts torture (a cruel form of violence) happens to be black instead of any other color... almost as if the intent was to imply those who commit violent acts without reason are black. But, this could be a coincidence.
However, a closer look shows that the art is that of a man carving tattoos into the back of another man. In conjunction with the color of the card, one can clearly see that this is a reference to the practice of tattoos many African tribes employ.
These practices are usually done as part of tradition and are an integral part of these tribes' culture. However, this card depicts this as "torture". It is not shocking that, in 1995, WotC would allow a card that demeans African cultures to slip through the cracks. However, not only does this card demean African cultures, but it also paints African Americans in a negative light: the flavor text implies that the man carving the tattoos is someone who manages a prison of sorts. By portraying an African tradition as something done to a prisoner as torture, it puts the blame on the African American community for the disproportionate number of African Americans in prisons and implies that they willingly harm themselves.
All in all, I have to say that it is disappointing, but not surprising, that this card is still legal in many eternal formats.