#tcl25

How are Black hairstyles "problematic"? The topic of race has been a sensitive topic within American society, in which the little things that make someone unique can be used against their identity, whether it be the color of their skin or even the simplest detail like enhancing their facial features using make-up or simply styling their hair. For Black individuals, they are often discriminated for this type of decision as it is somehow "offensive" and "distracting". But why is that the case when everyone styles their hair in some form? How are Black hairstyles different from the way that other hairstyles are treated? For one, these hairstyles have been seen as a "rebellion, or rejection of Euro-centric standards and features", somehow making hair a political topic for the way it is. Throughout history, anyone who was not considered white or white-passing was automatically treated differently, if not worse, as a way to convey that they were seen as less, sometimes not even considered "human". In Lee's paper, they showcase the example of Angela Davis, one of America's ten most wanted criminals in the 1970s, who was portrayed to the media with the photo of them with an Afro hairstyle. Rather than focusing on the identity of Davis as a whole, it was noted for their hairstyle as a way to convey that anyone with this type of hair was considered a criminal, having the persona of being an anti-American Black individual. Something as simple as a person's hairstyle created a lot of chaos and misrepresentation of both Davis and the Black community, as they could be profiled for just having a similar hairstyle; this adds on to the claim that anything about you can just be used against you as a way of discrimination and oppression, all because you do not fit a certain standard and are not as seen as an "equal", specifically to white individuals who consider themselves as superior.

How can Black identity be reconstructed? One way that Lee shines light on the comeback for Black identity in a world full of oppression against self-identity is the use of blogs and sites run specifically by Black individuals. Influencers like CurlyNikki, whose blog is run under the parent company of NaturallyCurly.com, use their space as a way to help motivate other individuals who have curly hair to embrace that trait of theirs, and that it should not be something that others have to be ashamed of. While the main target audience is mainly Black individuals, it does not mean that those who are not Black do not go through the same type of discrimination experience for the way they look and style their hair. The simple act of gaining support from those similar to you can be enough to "rekindle" a lost flame of learning to love oneself and battling against those who are against the idea of letting you be 'you'.

Can there ever be "consent" within the digital space? In a way, not exactly. In both the "Surveilled" documentary and class discussion on Wednesday, the idea of consent is more of a way to make users within that digital space feel like they have a form of "control" or even have a say in how they move forward. Even if we knew we were guaranteed the control we believe to have and our consent of whether we agree or disagree is actually respected, the internet is too full of loopholes and individuals who know how to get passed the digital walls that keep outsiders from your information. With the documentary, one of Ronan's connections, Elies Campo, he reveals an insight in which one of the dangers to being in the business of uncovering the truth about spyware, is that not only are you targeted by those who want to stop you, but others like your family can be at risk too. He states, "The whole family is infected" to emphasize that even with the biggest precautions, the amount of risk and loopholes within the digital space are far too great, and simply having a connection with someone can cause you to lose everything. This type of behavior, from the spread of the spyware, Pegasus, shows that consent is rather just an illusion, and you are more or less forced to agree. The moment you open your phone or even download an app, you are "consenting" without realizing that it allows others to gain your information; even places that you do not visit can find ways to get your data through other companies that you have "consented" to.

How did Halle Bailey's role as "Ariel" gain the wrong attention? To begin, most fairytales and folklore have always been represented with the image of white individuals portraying the characters, and even with Disney, the majority of their characters are portrayed as "white". Because of this, it is not surprising to find this backlash against a Black mermaid, as some were perceived into believing that only white individuals can play these roles, and the history of oppression against people of color adds to this. Unlike stories like "Snow White", where the storyline specifically talks about her having "skin as white as snow" so that it is clear that she is a white princess, "The Little Mermaid" has a little more leniency as the race of "Ariel" is not exactly described, therefore, having a Black mermaid is not entirely absurd. Stories about mermaids are created all over the world, each culture with its own twist on the idea, and the portrayal of Ariel in the live-action is more or less just expanding the diversity of using stories, or folklore, from other cultures, like African culture.

Lee, L. (2015). Virtual Homeplace: (Re)Constructing the Body through Social Media.

Hathaway, J. (2014, October 10). What is Gamergate, and why? An explainer for non-geeks. Gawker.

O'Neill, M., & Peltz, P. (Directors). (2020). Surveilled [Film]. HBO Documentary Films.

Lee, L. (2023, April 17). Are Y’all Ready for a Black Mermaid? How Black Twitter Challenges White Supremacist Imaginations. Ms. Magazine. https://msmagazine.com/2023/04/17/the-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-black-twitter/

Is it harmful for our government to utilize surveillance tools?

The Patriot Act allowed the federal government to use 4 different kinds of surveillance. This act was passed after 9/11 since there was a high increase in fear amongst civilians and people in power. However, before this was passed there were already violations of privacy laws. The idea of our government using surveillance tools to track and possibly stop terrorist attacks is beneficial. However, with surveillance tools it can be difficult to be sure that’s all they’re being used for. There is still going to be misuse when utilizing surveillance tools and it’s hard to keep them accounted for and put laws into place.

How can social media keep protestors safe and informed?

Social media can keep protest groups in communication and send live updates. People can share information about upcoming or current protests and can also spread messages about any potential threats that might happen at protests to keep each other safe. 

Do you think our government used the attacks on 9/11 as the catalyst to be able to utilize surveillance amongst our people?

9/11 had people in fear and wanting solutions. It could be a possibility that the government took advantage of people in fear and desperate for solutions so they allowed the use of different surveillance measures to try to prove that people can start to feel safe. They allowed the use of wiretaps, search warrants, subpoenas, and pen/trap orders. However the passing of the Patriot Act was just a way to legalize existing illegal forms of surveillance and investigation.

Is communicating with protestors on social media and getting arrested for it an infringement on your protected speech?

During the G20 summit there were thousands of protestors among the city of Pittsburg with demands in regards to capitalism, carbon emissions, etc. State troopers broke into a hotel room with Elliott Madison and Michael Wallschlager inside. They had criminal complaints on them for being in communication with the protestors  and various protest groups on Twitter. They were charged with criminal use of a communication facility, possessing instruments of crime, and hindering apprehension. Madison’s lawyer says his actions were “absolutely protected speech”. I do believe that being tracked and arrested for communicating on public social media applications is an infringement on our protected speech. It is our right to protest and people online should be able to send updates and information about it.

Souces: Fear as Institution: 9/11 and Surveillance Triumphant by C. Parenti,

1.How might the surveillance powers granted by the USA Patriot Act affect public trust in the government?

The USA Patriot Act's surveillance powers can have a long-term effect on trust in the government. When citizens discover that the government has the ability to monitor their communications. “…the Patriot Act liberalized use of the federal government's four main tools of surveillance: wiretaps, search warrants, subpoenas, and pen/trap orders” (Parenti, 200). This might make people feel that their privacy is being violated, even if they are not suspected of a crime. This could give the public the impression that they are constantly watched, which can lead to fear and censorship. And because the act broadened the definition of "terrorist" to include anyone who acts of a peaceful protest, etc, without a permit, citizens may believe that their freedom of speech is being threatened. When a peaceful protest is labeled as a potential terrorist act, it may cause people to lose trust in a government that looks for control beyond communication. If citizens believe the government uses laws such as the USA Patriot Act to suppress resistance rather than ensure public safety, they may lose faith in democratic systems and question whether their rights are actually being protected.

2.How may identifying a peaceful protest as terrorism under the USA Patriot Act impact democratic engagement and freedom in the US?

Identifying a peaceful protest as terrorism under the USA Patriot Act can have serious consequences for political participation and freedom in the US. If people fear engaging in protests, specifically nonviolent ones, it could end up in them being scrutinized or labeled as terrorists, in which it leads people to stop expressing their opinions. For example this had happened to Patrisse Khan-Cullors, who is an anti-racist activist and was unfortunately prosecuted as a terrorist, during the Black Lives Matter movement. This distrust and fear can stop people from joining political organizations, advocating for change, or even just holding the government accountable for wanting so much power and control over their people. When peaceful protests are criminalized the difference between protecting national security and limiting legitimate political speech becomes unclear.

3.To what extent does the use of the federal anti-riot statute reflect a broader trend of criminalizing dissent?

The use of the federal anti-riot statute reflects a broader trend of criminalizing dissent, especially when government officials combine protest behavior with dangers to safety or national security. Although the act is meant to prevent violent riots, critics argue that its vague wording allows it to be used broadly and subjectively, potentially prosecuting people who are just organizing, engaging with, or supporting protest movements. For example, Madison and Wallschlaeger's arrest for allegedly using communication technologies to coordinate with protesters at the G20 meeting raises issues. The fact that they were charged under this statute, had their house searched, and their personal electronics seized, demonstrates how laws can be used to intimidate and discourage political activism, even if the charges were eventually dropped for them. This is in line with the argument made in Parenti's reading, which claims that laws and state power are frequently used not only for safety, but also to limit criticism and suppress it.

4.What implications does the case of Elliot Madison and Michael Wallschlaeger have for the protection of civil liberties in democratic societies?

The implications that this case of Elliot Madison and Michael Wallschlaeger have for the protection of civil liberties in democratic societies worries about how civil liberties are protected in democratic democratic institutions. Their arrest and forceful law enforcement actions, which were mostly motivated by their use of Twitter to assist protesters, demonstrate how uncertain laws and brutal policing may be used to silence dissent and criminalize free speech. It suggests that government officials might connect activism and criminal action, particularly when new technology empower these participants who are activists. This case emphasizes the danger of damaging privacy, freedom of speech, and the right to protest which are essential and needed in any democracy, putting it at risk. “Federal and grand juries are conducted in utter secrecy and have enormous power. The old joke is that they can “indict a ham sandwich,” but if they turn up nothing, they can disappear with no public disclosure. Stolar doesn’t know of anyone who has been summoned, but given the course of events, “I would say they’re looking to go after what they consider to be hardcore demonstrators,” he says. “I have very little faith in government anyway,” says Madison, “but this is something I would have expected more under the Bush regime” (Powers, 3).

Parenti, Christian. 2003. Fear as Institution: 9/11 and Surveillance Triumphant.

How does the Patriot Act violate privacy? 

The Patriot Act allows federal investigators to get a warrant to tap phones as long as they have probable cause (Parenti, 2003). This gives them the freedom to tap phones for whatever reason they could come up with. It does state that it has to be a probable cause, but that could be perceived from their point of view. This act makes it possible for people to invade their privacy. Any person could get their phone tapped as long as a federal investigator deems to have a probable reason to do so. Although it was designed to help surveil terrorism, it could affect individuals who fit society’s idea of what a terrorist is.  

How did the public react to the creation of DARPA? 

The public did not accept DARPA and made it known publicly. Parenti said, “... the TIA office of DARPA had its funding cut, thanks to the popular outcry against the project. But many of the functions continue in modified form under other names” (Parenti, 2003). DARPA allowed people’s everyday actions like credit card transactions, travel records, and calls to be recorded and surveilled. Due to public outcry, the TIA got its funding cut, leaving DARPA with less power. However, the same functions were placed under different names to silence the backlash being received. This reveals that the government is strategic with its policies when it realizes that the public is not in favor. 

How does surveillance affect those who are nonconforming? 

Surveillance often targets activists who do not conform to what the government wants the public to stand for. Parenti provides the example that if surveillance had existed during the 1950s when Martin Luther King Jr. participated in the civil rights movement, he would have become a prime target (Parenti, 2003). At the time, the civil rights movement could have been considered radical because it was working towards changing the laws that reigned the United States at the time. Now that technological advancement makes surveillance possible, activists risk becoming surveilled. Activists could risk getting their phones tapped, and their everyday actions could be watched.  

How can raids that stem from surveillance invade someone’s privacy and violate rights? 

Why are Ethnic Online Communities(EOCs) so important?

Issues regarding race and ethnicity are often avoided or ignored in online environments due to the “digital default” systems that benefit white, cis/het, high class, men. Race/ethnicity are rarely discussed or advocated for in online chats that are easily pushed aside from the conversation. EOC’s like BET.com and Space.com, are seen growing more because they provide a space that wasn't always available. These spaces are important because they increase community empowerment, advocacy, and resilience to fight for equity and offer resources.

How is the internet used for low class Americans?

Due to the vast levels of treatment of lower income and ethnic/racial marginalized individuals specifically on the internet, it's interesting to find out how they navigate resources needed. The Children's Partnership(TCP) conducted a report in 2000 that found lower income individuals and/or marginalized racial/ethnic individuals used the internet to find multilingual resources, local job positions, local low cost living, and/or local culturally relevant resources. The internet is a huge resource for opportunity and growth, so it would make sense that these demographics would find a lot of advantages. If the internet and online spaces were actually “equal” as they claim, then EOC spaces and other resources would be more attainable and advocated for.

Who were some of the first EOC’s?

In 1997, AsianAvenue.com became the first ethnic online communities that soon after inspired the increase of more online spaces like BlackPlanet.com and MiGente.com. These spaces not only provided helpful resources, community empowerment but also supported millions of members. Benjamin Sun, CEO of Community Connect Inc. talks about how difficult it was receiving funds and support for AsianAvenue.com and other EOC’s. Sun refers to the importance of community support and how vital these spaces are for racial and ethnic marginalized demographics.  

What are some examples of EOC’s empowerment? 

EOC’s offer a great new perspective because it's creating a space not just for resources/support but spreading information and connecting across borders. One example of how this empowerment has benefited was the use of racial/discriminatory slurs being reclaimed by members that brought up a lot of discourse. Either agreeing to reclaim the word or not, there was still a large sense of control and discussion over how people felt that gave them a voice and a space to speak on these issues. Another interesting example was the use of people using online usernames that were stereotypical identifications of race/ethnicity, something that was typically avoided due to targeted attacks in online spaces. Now due to these community spaces, there is more freedom for individuality with less fear of discrimination. 

How can online communities directed specifically towards women of color be supportive and create a safe space?

Online communities allow people to come together to share knowledge as well as support with others. It creates a bond between people that helps them to feel more welcome and comforted when the world seems like it’s shutting people out. Online communities that are specifically geared towards women of color are very important because they allow these women a place to feel accepted and heard when they may not get that sense from their everyday lives. 

2. Why should online communities prioritize purpose over profit?

Online communities should prioritize purpose over profit because people always start things for a reason. There’s always some sort of purpose or drive behind what we do, and when we start to attach money to these things, they become less valuable in a sense. So if we look at the purpose of an online community and why it was created, we want to make sure it’s genuine and isn’t just looking to get profits or money from the situation, but to get life experience and bring change. 

3. Why is trolling such a big issue in today’s online spaces?

Trolling seems like it used to be a fun, joking concept and wasn’t really taken seriously. However, when we look at it in the bigger scheme of things, we can see that trolling can be very harmful to both individuals and larger communities. Trolling has the power to make people feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, self-conscious, nervous…you name it. It’s not just a joke like some people may think it is; it can do real damage. 

4. How can surveillance impact people’s lives?

Surveillance seems like it would be a good thing and make people feel safe and protected. But when you’re being surveilled 24/7 and have no privacy, it’s a whole different ball game. In the documentary we watched in class, they talked about how surveillance has disrupted many people’s lives and how it doesn’t just impact one person, but everyone around that person. There was one family towards the end of the documentary that said they were being surveilled because one person wasn’t able to be hacked. This has been true in many cases. If they can’t get access to one person’s information, there’s a large chance that they can go after people close to that person to dig into people’s lives. 

5. Does anyone have privacy in our society today?

In the larger scheme of things, no one really has privacy anymore. Most people carry their phones or electronic devices with them on a daily basis, which allows them to be tracked at each location they visit. Also, when we post things online, like posts or comments, comment on someone’s post, etc. we are giving up our privacy and allowing people to see what we’re doing or what we think. People can also screenshot anything at any moment in time, and that picture will be out there in “the cloud” forever. Oftentimes, people think that on apps like Snapchat, things are deleted immediately or they will be erased as soon as they unsend a text, but in reality, that text or that picture never really goes away. It’s all stored in a server or “the cloud” and can be brought back at any moment, especially if it’s been screenshotted by another person who may or may not have bad intentions.

Hathaway, J. What Is Gamergate, and Why? An Explainer for Non-Geeks, 10 Oct. 2014. 

Lee, Latoya. Virtual Homeplace: (Re)Constructing the Body Through Social Media, 2015.

In what ways does the idea of the "white racial frame" contribute to the explanation of why white supremacist movements continue to exist?

The term "white racial frame" describes a viewpoint that has been historically ingrained to normalize white supremacy, impacting ideas about racial inequality. According to the reading, many people use this framework to understand racial disparities, which causes them to either blame individuals for inequalities or ignore systemic racism as nonexistent (Daniels, 44).  In addition, the idea that racial segregation was a fundamental American value rather than a social injustice is reinforced by this frame, which makes the ideas of white supremacists more acceptable by associating them with historical personalities like Thomas Jefferson (Daniels, 52-53).

How does anonymity contribute to the growth of white supremacy?  

Anonymity allows individuals to form online communities where they can share extremist ideologies without the fear of consequences. As their ideas and content spread, they can recruit like-minded individuals who support their beliefs. This essentially creates a space where ideologies are amplified, fostering a strong sense of community that further fuels their expansion.

How does Daniels explain online activism and its role in the real world? Is it effective?

Daniels argue that online platforms are essential for spreading ideologies, but don’t always equal participation in the real world. Research on white supremacist organizations and environmental activism shows that participation online does not always result in in-person action. It is unclear if digital spaces substantially contribute to real political change because many users passively participate as viewers, rather than actively contribute as members (Daniels, 50-51).

How do passive and active participants/members differ, and what roles do they play in online activism? 

1.How can social media be beneficial to motivate the masses in political movements? The internet is a powerful tool in motivating people to engage in political movements as it allows people to access other individuals with similar views. People can find social media posts, blogs, and websites. Moreover the internet makes it easier for people to be exposed to a wide variety of different views. Therefore, they can find more information about themselves and what they like. This allows users to build a sense of community with one another. Additionally, the internet allows people to organize and coordinate events and community service.

2.Can social media be an unreliable source for civic engagement? Despite the ability to get fast and easy information. The internet can also have many sources that are unreliable and contain disinformation. Disinformation is when people intentionally share false information to deceive people. Moreover, social media can be unreliable as the algorithm tends to reinforce the beliefs of the users. The more they interact with certain posts the more they will continue to receive information from similar creators. Spier became radicalized by this as “the internet became for Spier the doorway to a public sphere that was at times the classroom, the library, the dorm, and even the internet itself” (Elin 2003). The more he dived deeper into the internet the more he became radicalized as he kept seeing individuals who had similar values.

3.Is it still possible to join cyberactivism groups online and remain anonymous? Cyberactivism is a great way to impact change in the United States. However, I find it difficult to believe that the online spaces are truly anonymous. Especially since people are becoming more aware of a digital footprint. Moreover, everything on the internet is being saved by the U.S. government. Therefore, people are creating applications such as VPNs. Yet, people will have to put in a lot of effort to keep their information safe. This may cause people to not want to participate in cyberactivism.

4.How has the internet transformed the white supremacy movement to a global movement? Similar to many other movements white supremacy has also become widespread due to the internet. According to Daniels, the white supremacist website called Stormfront has “supporters from across the globe logging in from Australia, the Baltics, Belgium, Britain, Canada, France…” (Daniels 2009). Despite what some people might believe white supremacy is not just an American belief. These groups of individuals live all over the world and are contacting one another. This can become dangerous when individuals become radicalized and decide to cause harm to people that are not white.

References: Daniels, Jessie. White Supremacist Social Movements Online and in a Global Context . Rowman & Littlefield, 2009.