Racism on the Web

The only way to protect yourself from bigotry on the Internet is to pretend to be a thirty year old white American male. The dream of disembodied entities, sans race, gender, nationality and religion, sharing ideas in one big happy cyber family joins the tooth fairy.

There are those who suggest, "Racism is where you find it", as if one interprets a neutral comment to be offensive. There are those who think, "Boys will be boys," and by using a female avatar or "D cup" name one is "asking" for it.

The fact is, racism and sexism are rampant on the Internet.

Prove It:

Create accounts as yourself on a series of message boards, then using a proxy, log on and create accounts as an "other". (Put a little effort into the autobiography of your "other" so your dual isn't exposed too soon.) Don't select Message Boards dedicated to racism or sexism where the posters know their scripts and you can predicate their reaction without logging on.

What you want are Message Boards which discuss other topics in which the race/sex/religion of a poster is "supposed to be" inessential. What you will experience as an Alpha, (Brad Pitt) is in sharp counterpoint to the Omega, (Rita Marley).

What may be the most alarming is the innate racism/sexism displayed by people who would categorize themselves as "Liberal" or "Right Thinking." Bigotry is easily provoked when your Alpha, after a few neutral postings, makes a semi-racist or sexist remark which is agreed to by the majority.

Alphas are agreed with. No matter how peculiar the view, no matter how offensive, an Alpha attracts a crew of "I agree" posters. Omegas, no matter how logical, erudite, and well documented their opinion, will be ignored, shunned, banned or gagged.

The attitude which reeks from the computer screen is; "Finish your post so I can disagree with it."

Neither your "Alpha" nor "Omega" persona needs to be particularly pro or anti anything. The views of both can be only slightly skewed. In fact, sentiments which will get an Omega gagged, repackaged in the mouth of your "Alpha" will be applauded.

Without a photo or a cam one can not tell if Jaylar is male, female, white, black, American or Iraqi. One can only go by what is revealed in a post. Hence there will be a period of neutrality, unless you select a particular nickname to provoke a response; i.e. Rock contra Bubbles, BobSmith contra LittleLinda.

Where a name or avatar is unrevealing and one has hidden their gender/race/age, one is nominally a member of the Alpha.

"Thoughtful", until personal information is revealed, is considered "us", so if the MB is full of middle aged white women, the imputation is that Thoughtful is a middle aged white woman.

If the MB has a wide cross section of people, "Thoughtful" will be held a white male in his thirties, until proven other. Further, anonyminity does not last long as there seems to be a need to uncover personal history.

As children, whose first question is "how old are you?" MB users will ask; "Which State are you from?" or some other "placing" question.

This is not to gauge the expertise of the poster, for most things can be verified with a Google , and unless one is giving specific legal/technical/eye witness data, the intrinsic personal details do not matter.

The reason identity is requested is to gain an us/them perspective. Once the answer is not an acceptable American/European nation, the temperature drops.

One need not be from Afghanistan to be treated as a suicide bomber or potential al qaeda member. Once one is NOT American everything is charged. The slightest criticism of American policy is treated as provocation, and one might be goaded into further responses which will be taken as being "Anti-American", to justify banning from a Message Board, which, of course, enshrines, "Freedom of Speech."

If one makes a "Black" response to a post, unless one can be denatured or repeat or agree with a "white" view, one will be treated as a potential felon. It does not need to be a demand for reparations or calling Malcolm X a hero. It need be whatever provokes the posters to view you as "different".

Many Message boards contain denatured "Black" members as "proof" they are not racist. The posts from these 'Blacks' is of the kind; "Whatever Alpha posts, I agree without reading it," and they remain silent while one of their number labeled "Omega" is attacked.

This kind of self immolation was blatantly portrayed on a Message Board, dedicated to a very minor and vanished Black actor. Apparently, he gained quite a following among middle aged white women joined by middle aged black women who share whatever views are current in the mind of the Alpha.

The views expressed by the melanin enhanced "white" women, is identical to those expressed by actual white women. Where an actual black woman would find the opinion that the Black actor would be "forced" to date black women offensive, the wannabe whites remain silent.

The actual whites attack, refusing to comprehend an opinion which goes against their "politically correct" belief that they are not racist. When Alphas are unable to silence or defeat the Omegas in logical debate, they did what America does to it's enemies; silence them. Hence, your "Omega" character is very likely to be banned from a Message board where your semi-offensive "Alpha" is enthroned.

One need not accept what I post, one need merely create two identities on the same message board, and judge the responses. From the safety of your "Alpha" you can spew forth repulsive garbage. You are safe. You are "part" of that Message Board. From the danger of your "Omega" anything slightly critical gains an instant, and often, irreparable attack; meaning you will be banned.

To truly judge the temperament of the Internet, it is not the sacrifice of your Omega, it is the bigotry your Alpha will be permitted.