(06-26-2016, 02:45 AM)Teadrinker Wrote: I disagree mainly because I find treating half breed children poorly and looking down on interracial couples as...well. Racist. And between the two most populous and explored races in the city state this exists. From there I pretty much draw that races that would be major minorities such as Lalafel or Miqote probably have a harder time than their Hyuran and Elezen cousins. That's my opinion and thought process from what's been displayed lorewise. Just makes sense to me, I guess.
Yes, the mistreatment of mix-race children is most definitely racist. However, this is a form of prejudice that is prevalent across the entirety of Eorzea and is not specific to Ishgard. Furthermore, there is no evidence supporting that the minority races are met with any of this prejudice that's shown towards Hilda (with the exception of the first Au Ra). Which is what I was trying to lay out above.
Here's some quotes I found talking about Hilda and her Hyuran mother.
Hierytha Wrote:'Twas naught more than infatuation, what she felt, but she convinced herself it was love...and he couldn't help but take advantage. But when her belly started to grow, gods, the scandal! I mean, 'tis not an uncommon occurrence, but that it was with a Hyur made it so much, well...I needn't tell you. She was discharged from their service─cast out onto the streets, like so much refuse.*Hierytha is also a Hyuran noblewoman. The distinction of the affair being with a Hyur is, racist yes, but again falls in line with mixed relationships, and that this prejudice is commonplace across all Eorzea. The Hyuran girl is prejudiced against for her choice in dalliance, but Hyur as a whole are not prejudiced against or prevented from attaining wealth/station/employment/etc that would be found in a systemic racist state.
Further quotes even talk about how Hilda's Hyuran mother was actually very well liked on her own. It's just her child who suffered:
Gerraldieux Wrote:This scent...how reminiscent of a wine once made by a dear old friend, may her soul rest in peace... Forsaken by her family, she toiled tirelessly to feed and clothe her child. Yet somehow she found time to help me tend to those in even worse circumstances, so compassionate she was, so full of love for her fellow man. 'Twas that love which gave her child strength to endure the scorn of the other younglings... <sigh> That little girl, bless her heart, she couldn't help what she was. Eventually, she won them over, but those first few years were trying─even more so when she had to start fending for herself.
Hilda Wrote:Let me guess: you're wondering why I chose “The Mongrel,†right? Because it's what I am, and I'm not ashamed of it. Not anymore. Besides, even my pureblood pups have more in common with me than the lords and ladies up on high. The none of 'em are well-bred. Hells, some of their mothers were cast out after a spot of fun, same as mine. Story old as time─and one we're sick of hearing, which is why we took up arms. Not that we mean to hold all the blue bloods to account. Some have done right by us, I'll allow, like them in House Haillenarte.
So while there's undue animosity directed at Hilda for being a "mongrel", she and several conversations with Gibrillont clarify that several bastard children face similar prejudice, even if they're not mixed race, like Aymeric. Take into account also nobles versus brumeborn and the prejudice held against their own races of differing social standing and the race issue becomes even more diluted.
Then there's the aforementioned Roegadyn knights loyal to House Dzemael, perhaps the single most xenophobic and self-absorbed House of the four. Yet there are multiple Roegadyn knights, some serving Dzemael for generations. With Yvelont, an Elezen knight calling them brothers.
I went back and looked through the entire documented Heavensward MSQ looking for text that Virella was referencing. Unfortunately, none of the texts seemed to include the little side conversations happening around Tataru in the open world between quests (such as when Tataru is dazzling the patrons as a dancer), but several quotes from Tataru seem to indicate that she's quite popular in the Tavern and that she enjoys chatting with the patrons.
Tataru Wrote:At first, the people here were a bit standoffish, but with a little effort─and a lot of parley─I've managed to make plenty of friends!
Tataru Wrote:'Twas the least I could do. Now, I must be getting back to the tavern, or I'll never catch up with all the gossip! Best of luck on your journey!
Tataru Wrote:If you haven't yet, you should learn the Manderville art of parley. It's surprisingly effective─so long as you stick to topics you know well. For example, the other day I was discussing the copper ore market with this one gentleman...
There is this bit of text from The Measure of a Mammet if you are Lalafell:
Herewart Wrote:One of them wossname...Lalafells, right? Funny little buggers─er, present company excepted, like. He, er...seemed. Seemed keen to be anywhere but here. <cough> ...Good people, you Lalafells. Industrious folk, salt of the earth─like that waitress they've got down at the Forgotten Knight. Though I doubt you sing or dance half as well as she does, eh? Wh-Which is fine! I ain't judging.
So yeah, sorry Virella, I couldn't find the quote you were referencing, but I found another quote that seems in a similar vein. That is, Lalafell being so rare in Ishgard-proper that most aren't very familiar with them.
Again, like I said in the above post, not disputing that non-Elezen/Hyur are an extreme rarity in Ishgard, they most certainly are and were even in 1.0, but they do not seem to face overt discrimination.
To my surprise, I even found a reference to the Garlond Ironworks being a regular sight in Ishgard in recent months. There are a number of Miqo'te, Lalafell, and pureblood Garleans among the Ironworkers.
Emmanellain Wrote:In search of a “Cid Garlond,†you say? Then say no more! The taverns are full of talk, and the name of said silver-haired genius has cropped up more often than most. I hear he has been tasked with getting that monstrous airship the Holy See commissioned to actually fly. 'Twould seem the project has been plagued with mishaps from the first. In any case, Garlond Ironworks employees are known to frequent the airship landing, and I'll wager their master does too.
Cid Wrote:The Ishgardians have granted us the use of a small corner of their workshop─all part of the agreement. I think you'll see we've made the most of the space...
There are also a few questlines where foreign Miqo'te come to Ishgard and similarly receive no stigma. In fact, Mujih from the BTN questline has/makes quite a few Ishgardian friends and contacts who don't at all mind her race.
Mujih Mewrilah Wrote:While you go about your gathering, I've a mind to do some gathering of my own─for information here in the Holy See!
Mujih Mewrilah Wrote:Indeed, it's my business to know people, and I happen to know just the person you're looking for! Martineau is his name, and he's no less than the foremost herbalist in all of Ishgard! I'll arrange a meeting right away!
So, racism aside, here's what quotes I found related to xenophobia while I was digging for Tataru conversations:
Count Edmond de Fortemps Wrote:Given that our borders have remained closed for decades, many of my countrymen are unaccustomed to treating with foreigners. Should anyone happen to question your presence here, it may prove necessary to remind them that you remain under the protection of House Fortemps.
Alphinaud Wrote:Accordingly, we will have need of sundry goods, hence our desire to make your acquaintance. That is, of course, assuming you are content to accept the custom of foreigners. Should you be uncomfortable—
Elaisse Wrote:Young sir, we do not discriminate in matters of money. If you have coin to spend, who are we to refuse it? Weapons, armor, accoutrements, medicine, materials—whatever your desire, it can be found in the Crozier. Our merchants will be more than happy to accommodate you, as you shall soon see.
Elaisse Wrote:Lest you forget, foreign merchants were subject to a frankly unreasonable level of scrutiny until relatively recently. No so now, however. Now, goods from every corner of Eorzea flow into our markets. And that, my friend, is a change we can all appreciate.
Aubierault Wrote:To plant foreign seeds upon Ishgardian soil... Such thoughtlessness cannot be borne.
So, let me revise my previous statement. Is there racism in Ishgard? No more than any other city-state and lore evidence seems to direct it almost exclusively at mix-race children. Again, something that is stigmatized throughout all of Eorzea. The minority races we see in Heavensward (Highlander, Roegadyn, Miqo'te, and Lalafell) are all well received, even the foreigners, so long as they show merits.
Ugh, excuse my tangent though. Race locks peeve me off.