#onlinehate

Race and Power in the Digital Age

How does the invisibility of race in cyberspace impact online discussions about racial identity and discrimination? 

The invisibility of race in cyberspace can lead to both the erasure of racial identity and the silencing of discussions about discrimination. Kolko, Nakamura, and Rodman (2000) explain that online interactions often treat race as a binary - either “an invisible concept because it’s simultaneously unmarked and undiscussed, or … a controversial flashpoint for angry debate and overheated rhetoric” (p.1). Without visible racial markers, many assume a “race-neutral” space, which can reinforce dominant narratives that disregard systemic racism. However, as the authors argue, “whether we like it or not, in the real world, race does matter a great deal” (p. 4). This invisibility can allow for both progressive identity exploration and the perpetuation of exclusionary practices. 

How does the game Shadow Warrior use humor and parody to justify racial stereotypes, and what are the consequences of this approach? 

Shadow Warrior uses humor and parody to disguise its racial stereotypes, making them appear harmless or acceptable. The game’s creators claim it is a parody of kung-fu films, yet it “continued to promote its racist and sexist agendas” (Ow, 2000, p. 54). This justification allows players to engage with these stereotypes without critically questioning their impact. As Ow states, the game presents “a colonizing narrative where conquest and exploration, rather than upholding justice, become the primary goals” (p. 58). Ultimately, the game’s humor masks deeper issues of racism and exclusion in digital spaces. 

How does Pokemon GO reflect real-world racial and social divisions? 

Pokemon GO may seem like a fun, lighthearted game, but it unintentionally highlights racial and economic inequalities. The game requires players to move around different neighborhoods, but this can be dangerous for some people. As Omari Akil noted, “Let’s just go ahead and add Pokemon GO to the extremely long list of things white people can do without fear of being killed” (p. 1). Minority players, particularly Black and Asian Americans, often face suspicion or even violence in certain areas. This shows how digital games are not separate from real-world issues but actually reinforce them. 

How does the Internet make white supremacist messages more accessible to the public, and why is this a concern? 

The Internet makes white supremacist content easy to find and share, which increases its influence. As David Duke states, the Internet allows white supremacists to spread their message faster than ever before, giving “millions access to the truth that many didn’t even know existed” (Daniels, 2009, p.1). This is dangerous because anyone, including young people, can come across these ideas, sometimes without realizing they are reading racist content. “Cloaked websites further obscure defining what constitutes white supremacy in the digital era” with messages as educational resources (Daniels, 2009, p. 6). Search engines often present all websites as equally credible, people may struggle to tell accurate historical information from white supremacist propaganda. 

Why is it difficult to track and limit white supremacist content online? 

Tracking and limiting white supremacist content online is challenging because of the strategies these groups use to hide their message and identities. Many white supremacists use “difficult-to-detect authorship and hidden agendas” to spread their ideology while appearing as legitimate sources (Daniels, 2009, p. 4). Additionally, estimating the number of hate sites is difficult because “ownership, residence, and server location of a domain name - all three of which can be different” (p. 6). The U.S. also protects many of these websites under free speech laws, making it harder to remove them, even when their content promotes racism and misinformation. 

Word Count: 515

​​Daniels, J. (2009). Cyber Racism: White Supremacy Online and the New Attack on Civil Rights. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Kolko, B. E., Nakamura, L., & Rodman, G. B. (2000). Race in cyberspace: An introduction. Routledge.

Nakamura, L. (2016). The Race Card: Ludo-Orientalism and the Gamification of Race. 

Supergirl answer to question ref bullying & social media.

Chyler’s answer as we wrote it in real time from Starfury Ultimates convention, Birmingham, UK, 2019. Please note it was done short hand by a former secretary before any accusations of recording gets thrown our way, as we fully respected the rules and would never encourage anyone to break them. They’re there for a reason!

It is pretty much verbatim. Edited: I’ve now posted a picture of the question (link at the end of post). This is included with other thoughts of mine, you don’t have to read them, but if you want the full question, full context of how it was worded, then I’ve been given permission to post it.

Chyler:

I need to stretch for that one *Chyler gets up and does that*.

So, so, I’ll be very honest with you, I’m very glad that you asked me that question, and this is a very big discussion amid our crew, in this season in particular, as far as our *gaggle of gals has expanded. It includes Melissa, and it includes Azie, and it includes ah, Katie, and we’ve had multiple conversations about you know, about the fandom, and and, let me speak to social media in particular because; social media in general has, it’s like a double edged sword, okay. It’s like the master sword in Zelda - yes I’m going there - and it's incredibly powerful, it’s an incredibly powerful platform, one that gives you incredible, wonderful meaningful things, and opens so much up, doors of opportunity, for people for healing, for togetherness, for people to feel like they’re understood and heard and find purpose, and find something that you’re passionate about, there are so many amazing things about social media, and there are so many *horrible* things about social media.

And I did back off. I have backed off, because I have gone online and I have gone through my mentions and my feed and see such horrible things. And have had so many terrible things said about me, about my co-workers, about our show in general, questioning our integrity, questioning who we are as a family, and people as a cast and as a group of people who are artists who happen to genuinely love and care about each other. And it’s been attacked on many counts, and I find that incredibly unfair.

But what I see happen among the fans, like we can handle our own, like there’s so much, like water off a duck's back right. There’s only so much you can do with that, but what we’ve seen from the fans internally has been heartbreaking in so many ways. And again, that kinda comes back to that double edged sword side when you go, there’s so much good that can be done, but it just takes a moment, it takes a word to knock somebody down, and to be honest it’s intolerable.

It’s, I don’t think people truly understand the power of words, and whether they’re spoken to somebody in person, or just something that you read, I think that the power of the tongue can take down empires. It really can.

So we do our best to show love and to show appreciation and to show unity and feel like we have to stick up for ourselves more, and we’re a family you know. And we’re here to tell amazing stories and we’re also here to inspire people, and hopefully that’s what we’re doing, you know. Hopefully that’s like for us to get up to know that what we’re doing has purpose, and it helps people and it’s saved people’s lives and has changed the direction entirely of someone’s life.

That’s the point. You know we’re here to speak from a social platform we’re here. If you’re given a platform of influence, an opportunity to speak like to the people, then you’re just a jerk if you don’t use it appropriately. In my opinion.

That’s how I feel.

Audience applauded. Couldn’t catch the first couple of words but then Chyler went on:

I’m so sorry the division that comes up, and we have a thousand more stories to tell, and the point is, and I’ll wrap it up sorry, it’s just something I’m really passionate about in trying to like, put it all in one little chapter, we have amazing opportunity to continue to grow, as a show, as characters, and people evolve. And that goes up and it goes down, and the whole point is, like when you find people that you love and that care about, and this goes life imitating art and vice versa, we gotta walk through the changes and the challenges together. And that’s a big part of what we’ve talked about; is doing this together. And you know, it’s an honour to tell stories that we tell. And we’re going to keep telling the stories and they’re not going to be what everybody wants, and they’re not going to be what makes everybody happy, but you know what, that is life.

That’s so, that what happens in my life. I go through that every single day myself (voice cracks). That’s life. But we go and we grow, and we find people that you love and that you support and vice versa (tears up) the point is be together.

Applause.

Chyler as it dies down. “I love you all. And I really want to thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’m surprised I said so much.”

End.

*Referencing what she called the women on stage/SG earlier in panel.

If you want to see the question:

So, since posting the link out to Chyler Leigh’s very measured response on the question of bullying at Starfury Ultimates, it’s been heartening to see most are taking the message to heart and keeping opinion to themselves on their own timeline, or amongst mutuals.

Even then, attacks towards anyone or any group is not acceptable. Not publicly.

Do not subtweet. Yes I know it’s been a part of Twitter since forever, but it is a toxic mechanism.

Snitch tagging is also a big do not do it!

Do not respond if you see someone else obviously subtweeting and it feels, or is an attack. It’s their timeline.

Do not use Chyler’s response to gloat at other fans.

This is the exact same thing she wanted to stop.

It’s okay to say - look this is what she said, especially as some initial Tweets written at the time implied otherwise.

It is quite another to use what she said as a tool to goad others, even if it’s kept to your timeline.

As for seeing things on another’s timeline.

Listen, people talk continually about staying in your lane.

This is good advice.

This also means if you see anyone posting on their own account and you respond, do so knowing if it’s to antagonise that poster or attack them - you are not staying in your lane.

In truth, if it isn’t someone you’d normally talk to, or know it would inflame things - don’t do it!

Stay. In. Your. Lane.

Equally do not Quote Retweet someone simply to attack that poster or that post.

It is not cool or clever and in the words of Chyler; it makes you a jerk!

Scroll past. Do not engage. Do not be that jerk.

Also make sure when you do read something, you are reading it correctly.

Lately too many have jumped on a poster over a post or comment, and are twisting or misrepresenting what was said. My OH had that happen more than once leading up to Ultimates. When they tried to explain, they were pretty much blanked and the attacks continued.

Be absolutely sure you’re not putting your own bias into things, when if you read more carefully you’d see it wasn’t what was said at all.

It’s why I also try to never respond to anything as a knee jerk reaction, because I always try to be sure that a) I’m reading something accurately, and b) my own bias isn’t tainting what I might perceive or how I might reply.

If anything, I always ask does this need to be replied to at all?

Stop.

Pause.

Ask yourself these things.

We all have a duty of how we behave.

Saying someone deserves a punch (as happened to my OH) or threats of violence, or even saying someone deserves to die doesn’t make you a jerk. It makes you an asshole of the highest order.

It can also break the law.

Misgendering, or in the case of my husband, misgendering and being talked about as ‘that thing’ is transphobic. Again, that doesn’t put you in the jerk territory, but the utter asshole territory. This is the one area of intolerance I have with people. Bigotry of any kind is deplorable.

Be ready to back up stuff with proof if you can. Don’t just repeat others, rinse and repeat. Know what you say is true, and accept you might be asked to prove it - and if you can show that proof, do so. People don’t always think to grab a screen cap of things when emotions run high, and sometimes tweets get deleted for various reasons. That doesn’t mean it’s demonstratively untrue - but be aware you should always try to discuss with accuracy.

Finally for this post at least.

Try to be more kind.

Try to accept we are all different and we all have differing journeys.

Try not to hate.

In the reading “Drinking male tears: language, the manosphere, and networked harassment” the authors explain that women are more likely to face online harassment than men (Marwick & Caplan 2018, p. 545). For instance, many women who share their feminist viewpoints on social media are subject to online harassment by anti-feminists such as groups of men online that claim feminism is incorrect or that it is a lie (Marwick & Caplan 2018, p. 594). However, online harassment can be taken a step further with sexual harassment.

Anna Gensler, who has approximately 33,400 Instagram followers, created an Instagram project ‘Granniepants’ exposing online sexual harassment, which is one form of online harassment many women must deal with (Vitis & Gilmour 2017, p. 335). Women will send in an inappropriate message they have received by a man, and Gensler will then draw a naked portrait of the man with his words incorporated in it, so that the woman can send it back to him. Many of the men who receive these portraits have bad reactions to them. Through this project, she encourages her followers to stand up against online harassment. Additionally, the ‘Granniepants’ project highlights how many individuals who participate in online sexual harassment do not consider it to be a serious form of abuse due to the fact that they are doing it online with words rather than in person or physically. Gensler’s project encourages those who participate in online harassment to realize that, although their abuse takes place online, there may be consequences to their words and actions.

It is quite difficult to govern online harassment, especially on social media. Many of the technological affordances associated with social media are what allow online harassment such as anonymity, private messaging and posting publicly. However, more effective measures can be implemented in order to prevent online harassment from happening as often as it does in society. For instance, users who post abuse and use hate speech can be suspended and banned from platforms due to their actions.

References

Marwick, A.E. & Caplan, R. 2018, ‘Drinking male tears: language, the manosphere, and networked harassment’, Feminist Media Studies, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 545-594.

Vitis, L & Gilmour, F 2017, ‘Dick pics on blast: A woman’s resistance to online sexual harassment using humour, art and Instagram’, Crime, Media, Culture, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 335.

Trolling can cause significant negative effects and mental and physical health such as disturbed sleep, depression, low self-esteem, and even self-harm. Trolls have created an environment of online hate that's starting to infect the normal standards of online communication. This is because online trolls flood our feeds with hate and negativity, and when our minds are filled with this, our mental health can be hit hard. Our reputation online tends to mean more to people than real world interactions, which is a recipe for disaster.

According to ADL’s newly released survey, despite the seeming blitz of self-regulation from technology companies, online hate and harassment remains at unacceptable levels. With 41% of Americans encountering some form of online hate and harassment, being a victim online has become a common experience —and that experience does not appear to be improving.