(Speaking) the Truth Will Set You Free

Discussing the Internet of today based on the idea’s of the Internet in 1995 and 1997 is an inherently flawed strategy, and so I’m going to purposefully abstain from discussing the first two articles in this response. This is not because I have not read them, because it truth I did read all of the first and most of the second, but rather because I don’t feel as though they provide useful dialogue for today.

Unfortunately, even the last Nakamura article suffers from some problems due its age (even though it was only written 4 years ago). The article says, “Thus, (the Internet) is perceived as a contributor to democracy and equality even though it is not accessible to nearly as many users as are other mass media.” This statement is clearly not true. Although the Internet may not be accessible to quite as many users as television, it is certainly NOT far behind.

I also do not believe that the Internet is becoming more and more alike to traditional media sources in serving the will of the existing broadcasters of media. I think this is especially untrue as time goes on; the Internet is becoming serving the public interest more, not less, as time goes on.

The concept of race in cyberspace is of great interest to me, and I think it is valuable to study and understand more fully. Tely’s response to this concept, and the Whitney conference she described, are also very interesting. I think that such frank discussion has a place in society, both in the real world and in cyberspace. However, I think that there is a stigma that persists about the presence of such talk, especially the talk that is frank and truthful. I certainly witnessed that stigma in action during class on Thursday. A group of students were discussing details of hurricane Katrina, and a professor was very surprised to hear us speak frankly about the matter. In fact, he couldn’t believe he was hearing us say ‘those things’.

Unfortunately, that type of practice from authority figures is becoming all too common in nearly every arena and context. There is room to talk about race and the effects thereof, unless that talk isn’t inherently in support of the actions, beliefs, and values of minority groups. It is difficult, if not impossible, to advance honest and valuable racial discussions if the only criticism that is allowed is the criticism of the majority (read: white people). We are allowed to discuss how the government is supposedly discriminatory or apathetic towards the plight of the minority citizens (such as talk concerning racial discrimination and aggression from police) but we are not allowed to discuss the situations in which the majority of white America is affected unfairly (such as instances of affirmative action or issues of “minority only” pageants and scholarships).

Such a dialogue is NOT wrong! It is appropriate to talk about all aspects of discrimination caused by race, even when that discrimination is in favor of the minority! Actively favoring the minority citizens through programs and policies, even when the infrastructure may indirectly favor majority citizens, does not accomplish the goal of being race-neutral.

I am so tired of it being socially acceptable for a black man to call me ‘honky’ but it being unacceptable for me to call him ‘nigger’. Do not misunderstand, I don’t refer to ANY group of people in actively offensive terms; I just do not believe that it should be acceptable for anyone else to either, regardless of the color of their skin.

In summary, the issue of race in cyberspace (I.A.P.A.I.D.E.K.I) is a very interesting and important topic for scholarly study. The issue of race is central to the concept of self, and until we are truly informed about what self means we can not truly have an accurate dialogue about how the Internet shapes each of us. I urge those reading to carefully consider your words about race. Please do no feel afraid to speak honestly about race regardless of the forum. It is more important for the truth to be shared than it is to worry about being politically correct.