It used to be that I was proud of being a part of the gaming community, a place where it was possible to meet someone at a game store and be able to instantly connect with them and start chatting, all because of your shared hobby. Because gamers were essentially social outcasts, we knew what it was like to be ridiculed, and as such gamers were a pretty tolerant community. It didn’t matter what color or even species you were, because you liked games.

However, these days things are a little different, and I’m ashamed of the modern-day gaming community. I mean, really ashamed. Just go look around the place: racism, sexism, insults, shouting down mics  and generally just crappiness.

So during Ubisoft’s E3 presentation, it was hardly surprising that Aisha Tyler, the host for Ubisoft’s E3 showing, got a load of abuse. Why? Because she was a girl and she was black, that’s why! Good reasons, right?  And so the modern-day gaming community just had to hurl abuse like the brave keyboard warriors they thing they are. But here’s the thing: not only did she do a great job on presentation, but Aisha Tyler also just happens to be a dedicated and rather awesome gamer. Because, and this might shock you, there’s no rule anywhere in the gaming manual that says you can’t be a girl, a pretty girl, an actress, black or even human and  be a gamer.

So, Aisha took to Facebook to fight back. Below you’ll find exact what she had to say about the idiots, the haters, and the so-called gamers. All I can say is, Aisha Tyler, I salute you. You’re what a gamer should be: passionate about games.

Oh, and next time you think about knocking her, just remember that picture at the top of this page with her holding a lancer and looking like a right badass.

“I play.

 I’ve played since I was a little kid. 

Since I begged my dad to buy me a Nintendo LCD Donkey Kong, Jr.

Since I blew through three weeks’ allowance playing Defender at the laundromat.

Since you were a twinge in the left side of your daddy’s underoos.

I’ve been a gamer since I made friends with a girl in the 5th grade just to get at her Atari.

Since I missed the bus playing Galaga after school.

Since I missed the start of Return of the Jedi playing Tempest in the theater lobby.

You think you know. You don’t know.

I’ve been a gamer since before you could read.

Since I aced midterms after staying up all night playing Evil Tetris.

Since I became dorm champ at Leisure Suit Larry.

Since I double-wielded on Time Crisis 3 at Fuddrucker’s.

I was a voice in not one, but two major video game titles.

I hosted the Reach Beta tutorial.

I was a Gears of War superfan panelist at ComicCon.

I hosted the Ubisoft presser at E3 2012.

I didn’t do any of it for the money. 

For most I got paid next to nothing, and for some, less than that.

I did it because I love video games.

Because I’ve dreamt since I was a kid of being in one of the games I love.

How many games have you done voices for?

How many cons have you repped at?

Your buddy’s Unreal Tournament garage deathmatch doesn’t count.

I go to E3 each year because I love video games.

Because new titles still get me high.

Because I still love getting swag.

Love wearing my gamer pride on my sleeve.

People ask me what console I play.

Motherfucker, ALL of them.

I get invited to E3 because real gamers know I’m a gamer.

I don’t do it for the money.

I have plenty of money.

I don’t do it for the fame.

Fuck fame.

I do it because I love video games.

I don’t give out my gamertag because I don’t want a mess of noob jackholes lining up

to assassinate me on XBL. 

I don’t give a shit what you think about my gamerscore.

I don’t play to prove a point. 

I don’t play to be the best.

I play because I love it.

I play.

I’ve been playing my whole life. 

I’m not ashamed of it.

I don’t apologize for it.

It’s who I am.

To the core.

I’m a gamer.

So to all the haters out there who claim I don’t play;

To the GAF dicks, 

Gamespot trolls, 

To every illiterate racist douchebag on Youtube:

Flame away. Go nuts.

Post every jackass comment your heart desires.

I’ll still be playing when your mom’s kicked you out of her basement

and you have to sell your old-ass console

and get a real job.

For now, I say to you respectfully,

and I mean this from the bottom of my heart,

GFYS.”