Nakamura L. explores and critically analyzes the role of
race and racialism on the internet. Nakamura has “coined the term cybertype to
describe distinctive ways that the Internet propagates, disseminates, and
commodifies images of race and racism” (3). She believes that “the study of
racial cybertpes brings together the cultural layer and the computer layer”
(3). Prior to taking this class, I do not think I’ve ever truly considered the
manner in which race is articulated online—especially since I am a frequent
user of social media sites such as Facebook where race is can be easily
determined based off of pictures, post, and comments (or at least most of the
time). What I really thought was interesting was the concept of fluid identity.
The idea behind fluid identity is that
are online presence (identity) is not fixed meaning we have the power or
control to create different identities and be whoever we please. Essentially,
in the virtual world this is a way to “eliminate” stereotypes, but we are
really creating a monoculture. One that doesn’t recognize the complex issues
that are associated with race. In class our professor talked about the comment
her friend’s daughter made about marrying her son even though he is black. Recalling back to that discussing and then reading this chapter, it made me really analyze how people (now a days) are truly trying to sweep race under the rug to create a Utopia. Reading this chapter, helped me consider how this sweeping takes place even in the virtual world.
I like your comment on fluid identities: "we have the power or control to create different identities and be whoever we please." I think one of the keys to this concept is that identity is a performance, especially online. The pictures we post, the words we use, content we reblog, and the platforms we inhabit are how we construct an identity. The problem when people "masquerade" as another race or gender online, is they almost exclusively construct using elements they read from their “offline” culture. This means we simply translate existing stereotypes and power structures to a new environment. Anonymity removes consequences, making us feel free enough to do this despite the ethical concerns.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job describing fluid identity and showing how it was shaped into Nakamura's argument. I would challenge you in saying that "sweeping things under the rug" is a natural phenomenon to uncomfortable situations and issues. It has always been used but in different time periods and contexts. It is happening now. I like how you made the link between the fluid identity as the internet form of "sweeping things under the rug".
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