The guidance is split into sections to detail the rules regarding specific types of discrimination and prejudice in character, but there are also some general rules to adhere to when dealing with any difficult theme or situation, and you should familiarise yourself with them before the game.

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The general rules are as follows;

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• If your character is likely to have prejudices, please ensure you are full aware of the rules and restrictions around how you treat other characters you may be IC prejudiced against - the existence of these themes is not carte blanche to treat them however you like, breaking the rules because it’s ‘in character’ or ‘historically accurate’ is not a valid excuse.
   

• If you are OC uncomfortable and wish to change the subject, use the phrase “I don’t think the colonel would like to hear you say that” or “Amber” - it is also acceptable to briefly drop OC in order to explain to the other player if you have any issue remembering these phrases.
   

• If you hear the above code phrase(s) while interacting with another player, or they ask you out of character to stop - do not argue or get defensive, simply change the subject and move on.
   

• If you are OC uncomfortable and wish to leave a conversation, use the phrase “I have a lot of paperwork to get on with” or “Red” - it is also acceptable to briefly drop OC in order to explain to the other player if you have any issue remembering these phrases
   

• If a player uses the above code phrase(s) or indicates out of character they wish to leave, do not argue, simply allow them to leave. If you are OC concerned about them, do not follow them, but instead notify a ref who can do a welfare check.
   

• If you feel unable to notify a player that their behaviour is inappropriate, or if the behaviour persists after you have already notified them, please tell a ref and we will speak to the player in question.
   

• If you feel somebody is using these code phrases inappropriately please speak to a ref and we will deal with the situation.
   

• If you have any questions or concerns at any point during the weekend, please let a ref know.

 

 

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Sexism

In the world of the game there are no gender restrictions on what job somebody can have - all character types are available regardless of character (or player)’s gender identity, and that is the chief difference between our setting and the show.

However, 1950s attitudes to gender and sex in a more general sense are still very common in 4077, and female surgeons or male nurses (for example) may find themselves on the receiving end of taunts, ridicule or even disbelief that they are capable of doing their job.

Women in this era are generally regarded as physically weaker, more emotional, natural caregivers and more submissive than their male counterparts, and may be judged more unfairly if they behave counter to these assumptions. It would also be a common assumption that they are in want of a husband.
Men in this era are generally seen as strong and practical, it may be judged inappropriate for them to show emotion, they may consider themselves naturally more intelligent or rational than a woman, and be expected to seek out physical attachments rather than emotional ones.

Nurses are usually female, and most other roles are usually male. For the purposes of this game, the corpsman role is considered typically either, so you wouldn’t be surprised to find a female character in a corpsman role - though more dangerous duties, such as actual combat, would be unlikely to be given to a female soldier.

Characters are to be considered as the gender they are presenting as, unless it is explicitly indicated otherwise - for example, if a character reveals they have been cross-dressing or otherwise presenting themselves as another gender, or they are obviously cross-dressing a la Corporal Klinger.

There are no particular restrictions on the kind of language/behaviour/assumptions used when displaying sexist attitudes, but please be mindful of your choices and check in regularly OC if you are displaying particularly harsh or demeaning prejudices.

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Racism

While racism could be considered a fairly integral part of the setting, there are still too many issues surrounding this in the modern day for us to fully explore it in the same way that M*A*S*H does. With the additional high proportion of white players/crew, we will handle the inherent racism of the setting by indicating when NPCs are enemies (they will wear a red ribbon) or allies/civilians who could be mistaken for enemies by suspicious types (they will wear a pink ribbon). If NPCs are wearing both colours, this indicates a level of uncertainty whether they are friend or foe.

This will allow people to treat civilians and enemy soldiers differently, or to be suspicious of an ‘ally’ they suspect of actually being an enemy.

McArthyist suspicion and anti-communist sentiment is absolutely on-brand for the game, and you can call enemy soldiers reds/commies/pinkos to your heart’s content, but please avoid all racial slurs.

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Homophobia

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Within the setting of the game, homosexuality is a crime and many people will find it strange or unfamiliar.

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Homophobia in character is allowed, and any military personnel caught engaging in homosexual relations may even find themselves on the receiving end of a court martial.

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When referring to gay men or women, the term ‘homosexual’ was commonly used during the era, they may also have been referred to as perverts, or claims made that they are unfit to serve, unamerican, or that there was something wrong with them. The best approach is to refer to them euphemistically (as Frank Burns does in “George”, when he talks about Private Weston being ‘one of them’).

Other sexualities - including bisexuality - would be unheard of by the majority of people, so while your character can have any identity or alignment you choose, be aware that trying to express or explain those identities may be even more difficult and be met with confusion, suspicion or even disgust.

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If your character is homophobic, please avoid using more modern discriminatory terms such as d*ke and f*ggot, they don’t really fit in with the atmosphere of the game and many LGBTQ+ men and women are still viscerally uncomfortable around the usage of those words. Similarly, please avoid referring to it as any kind of mental illness - while this was common at the time, this is again something that would be particularly uncomfortable for many people. 

 

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Disabilities

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Given the nature of a MASH unit and the nature of war itself, physical and mental disabilities are likely to come up as aspects of the game people will want to explore.

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This will usually take the form of people handling the loss of limbs or other physical capabilities, or people experiencing PTSD (at the time referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue) and other forms of war-inflicted mental issues.

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The terms ‘crippled’ and ‘crazy’ may both be used in the game as they are appropriate for the time.

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More often than not people experiencing physical injuries are likely to be the ones expressing negative opinions of their new situation, where those around them will be commending their bravery/encouraging them/trying to help - this may come off as patronising.

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Generally those experiencing the mental effects of war are most at risk in discrimination in the form of accusations of faking it to go home or of weakness/failure.

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Anti-Semitism

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As this game is set in the early 1950s, the atrocities of WW2 are still likely very fresh in a lot of people’s minds. The war happened just as it did in history - this includes the Holocaust.

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Anti-semitism is not a theme we will be exploring in this game and I would please request you avoid any anti-semitic language, however please be aware that the holocaust may have had an impact on some character’s backstory and may come up in conversation as a result of this.

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Other forms of discrimination

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If there is anything else I haven’t discussed here that you wish to explore or would like to be explicitly covered, please feel free to bring it to my attention and I can ensure it is included.

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If you have any concerns, questions or comments about any of the above please don’t hesitate to let me know.

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Out of character

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• Sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia and any other form of discrimination is completely unacceptable out of character.
   

• Please respect other people’s wishes and stop or change the subject if any of the code phrases are used, or if a ref asks you to.
   

• If a particular person uses a code phrase, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid engaging in that topic IC with that person for the rest of the event, unless you have spoken to them OC to confirm if it’s okay.
   

• If somebody does not wish to discuss an issue with you OC, do not persist, simply accept their answer and move on.
   

• If you have any OC concerns or questions, please bring them up to a ref.