Do you think the Internet serves to propel racism and discrimination in society or does it have no affect?

Question

I'm in a computers and society class and I'm a psychology student who’s very interested in cultural issues. I want to know what you think about discrimination on the Internet and the possible consequences it has on society as a whole. I want the good, the bad, and the ugly viewpoints. If it doesn't bother you, please tell me where you’re from. :)

Answer 1

It does have somewhat of an impact, because it gives a forum for people to vent their opinions, there for causing some heated words to be exchanged!

Answer 2

The internet is used to promote under the sun. People use the internet for a variety of things. Some good. Some bad. That's life and life is sometimes ugly. Discrimination is something that has always been around and will always be around. The only thing mankind can do about it is pray. We live in an imperfect society. That is why it is important for us to dedicate our lives to serving God and loving our fellow man so that when it is time for us to depart this earth we can inherit eternal life. Then and only then will their be a society free from hatred and sin.

Answer 3

Ya know thats a good question. I'm sure you can find alot racism and discrimination sites if you look for them. I don't, if you do you are probably already prejudice, then if you wanted you could use the internet to let the way you feel be heard by others who want to listen. For me the internet doen't propel racism. I'm sure congress could spend a couple of million $ on a study and let us know.

Answer 4

I don't think the internet affects racism and discrimation in society as much as it is a voice for the racism and discrimination that is already there.
I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada

Answer 5

Oh, please. The internet is so full of racist ragging and propaganda that it makes the real KKK seem like kindergateners fighting at recess. I have no idea how many facist and degratory websites I've come across in all its years of existance ( ethnicity sex, and nationality wise). I know that we live in America and that we are grounded in the idea of freedom of speech and expression; but, there seems that there should be at least a limit to how many hate mongering organizations can be crowded on a page. All of this infiltration and un-checked distribution of literature does more to educate our young people today than teachers in a classroom. Children spend more time away from positive influences, such as Church, community organizations and their parents, than from negative influences, such as the internet, video games, and tv. With all the different negative light being shone on women (placing us as sex objects), different races (how often have you saw a black or latino actor on tv portaraying a gang member?) and nationality (we went from "french fries" to "freedom fries" rather quickly), it seems our youth is heading down a short path to an uncertain future.

Answer 6

I was on Myspace today and I read a profile which had a list of likes and hates and listed under hates was Jews, Chinks, and Japs. I blocked this person and sent her a message telling her she was a racist twit.

Just another note about race and the Internet I found a site where you could take a test to see if you could tell the difference between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people. I wasn't sure what to think.
http://www.alllooksame.com/default.asp

Answer 7

I don't think it propels racism. I think people feel they can say whatever they like on the net as it's anonymous, sadly a lot of people seem to like taking the opportunity to make racist remarks, a lot of these people might not actually be racist but they just say the most offensive things they can think of to lash out at people.

I've seen a video on Youtube tonight of a 4 year old black kid playing drums, he was amazingly talented for his age but instead of commenting on the video a certain group of people took the opportunity to make incredibly racist remarks.
If you go to Youtube you'll see the video, it's the first video that's featured.

Answer 8

some say... guns don't kill people,people with guns kill people. so that would that loosely translate to...internet does not propel racism,people on the internet propel racism. my info... with a little extra for your studies, male, late 30's, from auburn hills michigan usa

Answer 9

i feel racism was, is, and will always be here with or without the internet. No way around it!!! the only way i see racism going away is if we were to magically become one color with one culture.