In 1963 Martin Luther King told the world that he had a dream. In this dream he dreamed of equality for all, regardless of the color of one's skin. Nowadays, some players on Bootleggers may dream of a day when all players are treated equally, and at times it seems that rankism is referred to as some sort of racism. Despite the fact that some players may indeed speak about rankism as Bootleggers' own type of racism. Here, I think players should distinct personal opinions from the facts, for it should be clear that rankism does not have to be regarded as racism at all.
First of all, there is a significant difference between rankism as racism creates non-existing differences between people based on their race, whereas rankism creates a difference between different ranks. As I already claimed in the previous sentence, racism entails treating people differently based on their race with key-examples being the apartheid in Africa and the segregation in the United States. Even though the color of their skin is different, there is no difference between people other than differences that exist between all people. As such, the practice of racism was outlawed as all human beings are to be viewed as equal regardless of skin color, race or place of birth. Now, with rankism players with a higher rank are favored over those with a lower rank (ie a Don is preferred over a Scum). The misconception here seems to be that players are convinced that there is no difference between the ranks, while in fact there is.
Even though some people may claim that there is no difference between ranks and that rankism as such should be something that is to be despised I feel players should not forget that there is in fact a difference between ranks. Higher ranks, for instance, require less bullets to kill someone and they can carry more booze than lower ranks (provided that their strength level allows them to). Furthermore, they are harder to be killed and the hitlist also takes more of your money if you wish to anonymously hitlist a higher rank. Even if you would only look at the amount of experience, there simply is a difference between high ranks and low ranks. They spent more time on the game and as such gained their rank. The difference is there.
In addition to the higher amount of experience, it should also not be forgotten that Bootleggers is in fact a mafia game where players are to gain power and wealth in any way possible. Players with a higher rank can use their rank to gain more wealth. They have worked for their rank, so they may benefit from it. Using the existing difference allows players to more effectively play the game and to gain wealth more quickly.
Some players claim that all high ranks have been low ranks at a time too and that they should therefore help lower ranks. Seeing I already argued that there is a difference and that the entire set-up of the game encourages exploiting this difference I assume that it is clear that I do not agree with this statement purely based on the facts of the game. However, I feel players who make this claim are confusing the facts with a personal opinion. Because even though there is a difference between ranks and players are of course free to use it in order to gain money more quickly it is of course possible to be opposed to the practice because you feel that it is unfair. The reasons for being opposed to the practice of refusing lower ranks can be many, but they are all personal opinions.
In conclusion, players who are opposed to what they call rankism can unite and do Organized Crimes by themselves, with their own ranks, and rank up via that way. Once they reach a higher rank, they are free to accept anyone who wishes to join. Nevertheless, they should not claim that higher ranks should be obliged to let low ranks join their Organized Crimes. Fact is that there are differences between the ranks, and the game allows for these differences to be used to the advantage of the higher ranks. The dream of Martin Luther King was a good thing for reality, it was life-changing for a lot of people. In Bootleggers, however, the dream has no use as here we do have differences. Denying them would not be wise, whilst being aware of them and working with them is. And that should be the way to go.
