Reading for Monday April 9th

The reading for today was entitled "Erasing @race: Going white in the (inter)face" written by Beth E. Kolko. The argument that Kolko is presenting in this article is that race seems to lose its face in cyberspace. This means that people's perception of race disappears when they enter the internet. For example, if it weren't for the picture on the main screen of this page, few people would ever know that I was a white male. There can be tell tale signs, such as written communication that I am a white male, or sometimes it can be as simple as a name. However, there is no way to be sure who the person on the other end is, making the internet a "protoutopian" environment.
As mentioned on page 218, users are subject to "representative norms and patterns, constructing a self replicating and exclusionary category of "ideal" user, one that, in some very particular instances of cyberspace, is a definitively white user". The author is mentioning that there are characteristics that can separate us in a cyber world, however, they are harder to find than visually categorizing individuals in day to day circumstances. Even in standard computer games such as solitaire, the computer does not have an understanding of age, race, ethnic background or any of the factors that could help it win. It is unable to judge, which makes it easier for the player to win than in real life.
A question that I would like to pose is why aren't computers, with all the technology present, more apt for for different types of people. There are features for young adults that make it easier for them to understand computers, as well as foreign language programs. However, would there be a way that a computer could be made to suit more of an individual's needs than a general public need? The home computer or laptop is more generic than it really should be, and customizing it for certain groups could make it easier for groups to understand. I'm not promoting the segregation of cyberspace by making classifications of computers for certain type of people, I am simply suggesting that it could be beneficial for some people to have computers more convenient for certain types of people.
I was intrigued when reading this article because it is a very valid point. The internet is a type of utopia, where people can't be judged or scrutinized. It is also an environment that enables people to meet others with similar likes and dislikes. For example, the article about racism in cyberspace. It shows that there can be a group for just about anything on the internet that may not be casually accepted in everyday life.

Facebook

The assignment for today was to look at a page on facebook of someone who you loosely know and tell how it relates to things learned in Ethnic Studies. The individual, who will remain anonymous is a former teammate of mine on my high school soccer team. Things such as race, class, gender and sexuality are evident throughout his facebook web page. Though there is not a lot of information, the viewer can made generalizations about the page on their own.

First, the person is a male and according to his listing is attracted to women. It is also evident within the pictures that are on facebook that he prefers women. In addition to the pictures, while viewing them it can be seen that there are no people of color in any of the pictures. This could be simple coincidence or it could be very much a preference. the person who owns this profile is Italian American and is very proud of his ancestry because of the pictures of his tattoo's and the groups he joined. To relate to gender, he has chosen very masculine things such as working out to put into his profile. Of course, it is a generalization to say that putting ESPN as your first TV show is masculine but for the most part it applies in this situation.

One question that I have is why this person did not have a picture of at least one African American in his pictures? After graduating from a school where 25% of the population is African American, it seems almost unreal that he would not have at least one picture with an African American in it. Also, the profile in general is very sparse. It could be that it is a masculine way to keep things personal and inside.

I enjoyed this assignment because it showed a different aspect of how you can judge people's responses to questions. Noticing how people respond to questions such as music and other forms of entertainment can really speak volumes about the person you are studying.

Dixie-net

The reading for class this week was entitled "I'll take my stand in Dixie-net" by Tara McPherson. It is apart of a larger book entitled "Race in Cyberspace", a compilation of many authors. The main concept of this article is the neo-racism that is taking place on the internet, and why the current standpoint still exists in the south. The websites are designed to protect their "Southern heritage" and their icons, such as flags, that keep them alive today. It is a problem that these thoughts continue in American culture, and that 150 years after the Civil War, we are still divided.
One of the problems that the author discusses is the writer's registers of place. The author feels that because the south has been stereotypically called "redneck and racist" that they inherently act in such a way. Also, the author describes the websites as not racist, but supplying racist information, such as links to other websites for confederate or rebel on-line activity. Her depiction of the "Cultural genocide of the Confederacy" furthermore proves that there is a social uprising of southern men and women that believe the former Confederate States of America should be upheld.
One question that I have, and something that I found as interesting was the fact that there was a Confederate States building in Washington D.C. that is still fully functioning. It doesn't make sense to have a building in operation for something that has been abolished since 1865. Also, if the taxpayers are paying for this building, it would raise quite an uproar from many people as to why it is so important to hold on to this building.
I enjoyed reading this article because it was something that few people ever realize is still exists. It is a mindset by a few individuals that live in the past because it is the only way they can feel important. Unfortunately, there is little chance of this ever changing.