With all of the kind words and support I received after this post, I thought it would only make sense to provide an update on the relentless community member who is intent on hurling racial slurs my way through various forms of communication.
It’s getting pretty old and pretty sad, and I think I feel sorry for her on some level.
As much as I promote the importance of engaging users online and reaching out to community members to provide them with the best experience, it’s clear that I cannot do that with her.
First it was an e-mail but today it was a complete blog post with paragraph after paragraph of insanity all related to the concept of “Training your n-word.”
Where do people get this stuff? I know that it’s directed at me the managing editor of the community, not me personally (although it IS based on my race) and it’s this persons attempt at ruffling my feathers. I know that.
But as I think about all of the comments I see online on a daily basis and the back and forth about race , particularly as it relates to the Presidential Election, I can’t help but wonder if the cloak of anonymity is providing an outlet for bigots of all races to share their truest, ugliest feelings. Are there some simply welcoming the opportunity to speak their mind without repercussions?
My question is this: Are online forums, communities and comments areas across news websites providing an accurate depiction of our society? Are the things being written representative of what people wish they could actually verbalize? Or is this a phenomenon only taking place online because it’s essentially a free-for-all? What do you think?
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October 21, 2008 at 8:43 pm
david
Yes, the cloak of anonymity is proving an outlet for bigots of all races. Often it’s the same group of bigots, returning frequently. It’s become a game for them. We give them a forum in which to spout hate. Now I’m all for encouraging frank and sometimes tough discussions — and I don’t mind occasional rough language. But we are complicit in the mindless and destructive language on our sites. That said, I don’t think forums filled with hate are a complete depiction of society. The hate is out there. It’s just magnified on line — especially when people who wouldn’t dare say such things without anonymity are allowed to. I know some say we shouldn’t interfere with the discussion as it could detract from the forum. And the lawyers will tell us if we try to control it we enter the fray and risk liability. But some of these folks need to go. That might mean shutting down message boards on occasion or making it clear that offensive language won’t be tolerated (if we can). This is the kind of thing that’s drives thoughtful people to high-minded sites — which in turn removes intelligence from mass media.
October 21, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Star Aasved
It is unfortunate that the “cloak of anonymity” is providing an opportunity for racially- and gender specific-charged dialog on communities. Sadly, in my work across a wide number of communities since beginning on Compuserve in 1985, I’ve seen an increase in this sort of dialog.
It may well be the current election bruhaha is goading those so motivated to engage on this level, as it seems the tone has become nastier within the last several months on several sites I frequent. Additionally, comments on news pieces and blogs reflect this heightened negative dialog.
The nameless, faceless opportunity to say what you feel can be very tempting – indeed, I’ve found myself, on the rare occasion, wanting to jump into the fray even though I consider myself level-headed and rational.
While I believe this does accurately depict a slice of overall community as evidenced by recent news reports on “hanging ghosts” emblazoned with a candidate’s name or yard signs reflecting racially-motivated opinions, it’s my feeling that this slice of community is small — that our society as a whole is far more civil and respectful.
October 22, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Matthew Chamberlin
People are people and there are small minded ones and open minded ones.
I think a lot of it has to do with the type of online community you’re talking about. A tech blog is going to attract a different crowd from a sewing blog from a blog about the best place to get pizza in northeastern Minnesota.
The minute you remove anonymity, however, responsibility kicks in. I remember I used to belong to a community that you were not even allowed to join until you had posted your avatar which had to be a certain size and a picture or representation of you. The minute people feel like they can’t hide, the norms of social discourse and respect tend to overtake the flame throwers and knuckleheads.
I have no idea what kind of community you manage that has become the target of such vitriol from this one user but, as you well know, they can be blocked, banned or, perhaps most effectively, ignored. Attention getters wilt without attention.
Online communities are not an EXTENSION of the real world- they ARE the real world. We’re all people who are participating on a blog or network that talks about something we care about. If you’re a dope with your friends, you’re a dope online, too.
October 24, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Pam
It seems to me that the bigotry on the internet is magnified many fold. I realize this type of hatred is out there, but I don’t believe that it is as highly concentrated in the outside world as it is on the internet.
To me, it feels as though those who use the anonymity of the internet to spread their hateful beliefs are simply more vocal about it than those that believe each person should be judged on their own merits and not the color of their skin, their religion or any other difference. The internet IS an extension of the outside world, but in different proportions. I’m sure there are many that avoid or ignore posters that spew racial slurs and hateful comments which actually lessens their voice in this matter.
Most of the racism I see these days in the outside world seems to be sparked by misunderstandings of cultural differences. Individuals on the internet do not portray the culture of their history as openly or obviously as they do in the outside world. Take for instance clothing, food or recreational activities. These things can most definitely be influenced by cultural upbringing. Although some communities do allow for one or more of these influences to unfurl on line, it is the culmination of the culture and life experiences that make up a persons complexion. It is rare that this culmination can be fully expressed and understood in an online community.
Yes, if you are a dope with your friends, you are most likely a dope online too. The difference is, that there is a higher concentration of dopes online than in the outside world.
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