There’s a video game making its way around the Internet, and many who have come across it say it crosses a line. “Border Patrol” is a Flash-based game that lets players shoot at Mexican immigrants as they try to cross the border into the United States. There’s one simple rule,” the game’s opening screen states, “keep them out . . . at any cost!” “Border Patrol” upsets many immigrants’ rights groups, as well as others. But the game is nothing new, as hate groups and those just looking to ruffle some feathers have long used Flash-based games to spread messages of hate. In “Border Patrol,” players are told to target one of three immigrant groups portrayed in a negative, stereotypical way as the figures rush past a sign that reads “Welcome to the United States.” The immigrants are caricatured as bandoleer-wearing “Mexican nationalists,” tattoo-touting “drug smugglers” and pregnant “breeders” who sprint with children in tow. 

Instructions 

1. Play the video game “Border Patrol.” (It’s offensive, so if you prefer, read the description of it. 

2. Go to the website www.cengage.com/criminaljustice/samaha and read the selections regarding the controversy over the game. 

3. Write a few sentences about each selection, summarizing the main points that relate to the ethical public policy problem of hate crimes and the video game.

4. Write a paragraph based on what you read, answering the question that best describes what you would “do” about the video game? 

a. Ignore it? 

b. Protest against it? 

c. Join a group that’s trying to ban it from the Internet? 

d. Join a group to make it a crime to play the game? 

Back up your answer with points from your paragraphs in number 3.