Comments on: Facebook Racism http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:55:24 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: More Facebook Racism | racismreview.com http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-9069 More Facebook Racism | racismreview.com Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:47:29 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-9069 [...] written here before about Facebook Racism, the rise of various forms of racism at the incredibly popular social networking site (SNS).  [...] [...] written here before about Facebook Racism, the rise of various forms of racism at the incredibly popular social networking site (SNS).  [...]

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]]> By: Chelsea L. http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-7190 Chelsea L. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:42:40 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-7190 Facebook has become a huge part of people's lives. When using Facebook it opens up many opportunities for discrimination, but I feel like it also is a place where people with common interests can come together and enjoy the same things. When signing up for Facebook along with other Internet sites such as MySpace, Twitter, etc they make you fill out all your information and Agree to the Terms of Use. With Facebook however, you can join groups that can become very offensive to others regarding sex, gender, race, etc. I know that Facebook tries to keep track of everything, but there are always ways that people find to get away with things that they're not supposed to do. These groups can be start controversy, but for what reason other than to put people down because they are not exactly like you or me. There is nothing wrong with people who are different but there is no reason to start groups to criticize them. Also, Facebook allows people to put their sex, what your "interested in," what your "looking for," your relationship status, your religious views; now while all this is optional to display, what is the reason that all this information needs to be disclosed? When a person goes to select their sex it is Male and Female. What about those people whose gender may be different from their sex, then what? While these sites can be very helpful to keep in touch with friends, family, and others it can also leave a wide gap for people who don't necessarily fit the "norm." However, when I think of the "norm" I'm not exactly sure what that is, so why aren't their more options for people to choose from or why don't they make the answer a fill in the blank so that everyone can put what they feel. On the other hand there is also a section for interests this allows an area for people to express what the enjoy doing, which in my mind is their masculinity or femininity. Most girls would say shopping, going to to the beach while men would put sports or hunting. These kinds of things just continue the cycle of stereotypes and unfortunately now most businesses can get licenses to websites such as Facebook and see everything that you do and post. After talking to some different people from different companies they have all said that they judge people from these websites to find out if their qualified for the job. How does looking at a webpage show if they can complete a job in a timely manner or complete a task to the best of their abilty based on what their "Information Page" says. While I think Facebook is great for communication, I think it's harmful in people's lives in the aspect of messages that it sends out to people and jobs. Facebook has become a huge part of people’s lives. When using Facebook it opens up many opportunities for discrimination, but I feel like it also is a place where people with common interests can come together and enjoy the same things. When signing up for Facebook along with other Internet sites such as MySpace, Twitter, etc they make you fill out all your information and Agree to the Terms of Use. With Facebook however, you can join groups that can become very offensive to others regarding sex, gender, race, etc. I know that Facebook tries to keep track of everything, but there are always ways that people find to get away with things that they’re not supposed to do. These groups can be start controversy, but for what reason other than to put people down because they are not exactly like you or me. There is nothing wrong with people who are different but there is no reason to start groups to criticize them. Also, Facebook allows people to put their sex, what your “interested in,” what your “looking for,” your relationship status, your religious views; now while all this is optional to display, what is the reason that all this information needs to be disclosed? When a person goes to select their sex it is Male and Female. What about those people whose gender may be different from their sex, then what? While these sites can be very helpful to keep in touch with friends, family, and others it can also leave a wide gap for people who don’t necessarily fit the “norm.” However, when I think of the “norm” I’m not exactly sure what that is, so why aren’t their more options for people to choose from or why don’t they make the answer a fill in the blank so that everyone can put what they feel. On the other hand there is also a section for interests this allows an area for people to express what the enjoy doing, which in my mind is their masculinity or femininity. Most girls would say shopping, going to to the beach while men would put sports or hunting. These kinds of things just continue the cycle of stereotypes and unfortunately now most businesses can get licenses to websites such as Facebook and see everything that you do and post. After talking to some different people from different companies they have all said that they judge people from these websites to find out if their qualified for the job. How does looking at a webpage show if they can complete a job in a timely manner or complete a task to the best of their abilty based on what their “Information Page” says. While I think Facebook is great for communication, I think it’s harmful in people’s lives in the aspect of messages that it sends out to people and jobs.

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]]> By: sandy http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-6658 sandy Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:23:44 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-6658 Chelsea Lately approximately at 11:00 P.M. on 2/18/09 - at beginning of show they were discussing current news stories - (1) Sarah Palin's daughter's interview - Chelsea ended the segment by saying "Eskimos stay in Alaska", then they moved on to (2) the Japanese official who showed up at a conference drunk - they ran the tape and then a couple of people on the panel each said, "they all sound like that, THEY all sound like that" - I'm astounded that racial slurs towards some groups are allowed and even encouraged - I had to turn the channel never to watch her show again Chelsea Lately approximately at 11:00 P.M. on 2/18/09 – at beginning of show they were discussing current news stories – (1) Sarah Palin’s daughter’s interview – Chelsea ended the segment by saying “Eskimos stay in Alaska”, then they moved on to (2) the Japanese official who showed up at a conference drunk – they ran the tape and then a couple of people on the panel each said, “they all sound like that, THEY all sound like that” – I’m astounded that racial slurs towards some groups are allowed and even encouraged – I had to turn the channel never to watch her show again

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]]> By: Jessie http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-5942 Jessie Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:59:46 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-5942 Good point, John ~ and one that others have picked up on as well. I meant to come back and update that post, but will just mention it here. That post prompted an exchange with a reporter who <a href="http://www.breakingnews.com/facebook-allows-hate-sites-ignores-warnings-says-group155796" rel="nofollow">wrote this piece</a> on the JIDF's activity on Facebook. It will be interesting to follow how this plays out. Good point, John ~ and one that others have picked up on as well. I meant to come back and update that post, but will just mention it here. That post prompted an exchange with a reporter who wrote this piece on the JIDF’s activity on Facebook. It will be interesting to follow how this plays out.

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]]> By: John http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-5935 John Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:50:38 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-5935 Racism is just one of the many problems on Facebook, there is also the promotion of violence and terrorism. The Jewish Internet Defense Force is all over it too: http://www.thejidf.org Racism is just one of the many problems on Facebook, there is also the promotion of violence and terrorism. The Jewish Internet Defense Force is all over it too:

http://www.thejidf.org

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]]> By: Seattle in Texas http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-5894 Seattle in Texas Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:53:18 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-5894 To provide a little accent coming from the other side—this comes to mind for those white folks who were taught and socialized to hate noted above and others of the like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY3oEvaq71A To provide a little accent coming from the other side—this comes to mind for those white folks who were taught and socialized to hate noted above and others of the like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY3oEvaq71A

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]]> By: mordy http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-5889 mordy Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:34:42 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-5889 Very fascinating post, Jessie. I look forward to your subsequent cyber-racism probes. Facebook Racism makes me think of cyber-racism in ways that I hadn’t previously considered. One doesn’t have to look very hard to find the very worst forms of disgusting racism and sexism on the internet. The white supremacy websites are quite obviously well stocked. Any city’s “rants and raves” section of Craigslist is bursting with them. Nearly any news/newsy website that posts a “racially sensitive” article will find their comments section awash with vile that might make even the biggest bigot blush. In all of these cases however, the true identity of the ‘poster’ is almost always shrouded by the cloak of anonymity. It seems to me that Facebook Racism ushers in a new and perhaps more reprehensible breed of internet racism; that which attaches true identities, complete with real names and often pictures (not to mention school, employment or social affiliations) of those perpetrating the hatred. Pundits, and other ‘experts’, are the very first to always beat the drum of how today’s children are post-racial and color-blind, having grown up in an era of unbridled equality where they don’t see black and white. Yet it is these children who make up the overwhelming majority of Facebook (and other social networking) users. There is a rather jarring disconnect going on here. Not surprisingly, two of the alleged killers of Marcelo Lucero had <a href="http://www.longislandwins.com/blog/in_the_news/hatespace_part_ii_warning_imag.php" rel="nofollow">myspace pages.</a> The images these 2 men posted are not really for the feint of heart. There are images swastikas, guns and racist utterances. Friends of the men dismiss such material with comments like "just because they have images on their myspace doesn't mean anything ..i know many people who have myspaces with things similar to those ..it shouldn't make any difference to what's going on." Oh really? In light of this insanely tragic murder it seems like these images and ideas posted on social websites might have everything to do with how the person sees themselves. I couldn't agree more with you that Facebook users should step up and demand removal of such morally depraved groups. But ultimately this will simply drive the hate to a different site. Is this the best we can do? Very fascinating post, Jessie. I look forward to your subsequent cyber-racism probes. Facebook Racism makes me think of cyber-racism in ways that I hadn’t previously considered. One doesn’t have to look very hard to find the very worst forms of disgusting racism and sexism on the internet. The white supremacy websites are quite obviously well stocked. Any city’s “rants and raves” section of Craigslist is bursting with them. Nearly any news/newsy website that posts a “racially sensitive” article will find their comments section awash with vile that might make even the biggest bigot blush. In all of these cases however, the true identity of the ‘poster’ is almost always shrouded by the cloak of anonymity. It seems to me that Facebook Racism ushers in a new and perhaps more reprehensible breed of internet racism; that which attaches true identities, complete with real names and often pictures (not to mention school, employment or social affiliations) of those perpetrating the hatred. Pundits, and other ‘experts’, are the very first to always beat the drum of how today’s children are post-racial and color-blind, having grown up in an era of unbridled equality where they don’t see black and white. Yet it is these children who make up the overwhelming majority of Facebook (and other social networking) users. There is a rather jarring disconnect going on here. Not surprisingly, two of the alleged killers of Marcelo Lucero had myspace pages. The images these 2 men posted are not really for the feint of heart. There are images swastikas, guns and racist utterances. Friends of the men dismiss such material with comments like “just because they have images on their myspace doesn’t mean anything ..i know many people who have myspaces with things similar to those ..it shouldn’t make any difference to what’s going on.”

Oh really? In light of this insanely tragic murder it seems like these images and ideas posted on social websites might have everything to do with how the person sees themselves.

I couldn’t agree more with you that Facebook users should step up and demand removal of such morally depraved groups. But ultimately this will simply drive the hate to a different site. Is this the best we can do?

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]]> By: Jessie http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-5886 Jessie Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:26:39 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-5886 Thanks, Joe ~ glad you liked the post! Your question prompted me to go back to Facebook and check. Yes, the answer is, there are lots of anti-racism groups. Over 500 using the term "anti-racism" and most of them seem to have more members (3k, 2k, 600) than the racist ones I mentioned in the original post, so that's good news. The problem comes in the notion of <a href="http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7014.html" rel="nofollow">"the daily me" that Cass Sunstein</a> developed to describe how people seek out only the content (and the Facebook groups) that reaffirm the values they already have in place. Thanks, Joe ~ glad you liked the post! Your question prompted me to go back to Facebook and check. Yes, the answer is, there are lots of anti-racism groups. Over 500 using the term “anti-racism” and most of them seem to have more members (3k, 2k, 600) than the racist ones I mentioned in the original post, so that’s good news. The problem comes in the notion of “the daily me” that Cass Sunstein developed to describe how people seek out only the content (and the Facebook groups) that reaffirm the values they already have in place.

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]]> By: Joe http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/11/21/facebook-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-5885 Joe Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:58:39 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=901#comment-5885 Another five star post, Jessie. Thanks for probing this new era of cyberacism, and technological racism. We need now for many people to start anti-racism efforts on these networking websites. Do you know of any such efforts so far? Another five star post, Jessie. Thanks for probing this new era of cyberacism, and technological racism. We need now for many people to start anti-racism efforts on these networking websites. Do you know of any such efforts so far?

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