by guest blogger CFlores6
I have been writing down statuses posted on Facebook, by my “friends,” that I think could be considered oppressive. Here are some of them:
“Today is kick a ginger day. I think that is mean but I would definitely kick this ginger lol (picture of little boy with red hair)”
“Can’t wait to go home! I’m tired of being around Muslims and people that can’t speak English!”
“To be a liberal or conservative is to be close minded.”
“I'm going to start using the term "nigga" since it's okay for everyone else to use it.”-posted by a white female
“Our generation is going to do some serious damage in this world.. I'm scared. Just a bunch of retarded, wanna-be ghetto, idiots.”
“this is my goal for the summer, (picture of young girl in a bikini on a motorcycle)” -posted by a young male
“Just heard an Asian singing a country song! Lol”
When I stopped and paid attention I found that I am surrounded by demeaning and stereotypical language like this. I have realized that I am just as guilty for this oppression as the people making these comments because I don’t speak out against it. I know others have been in the same situation as I have. What do you say to your “friends”? What would you say to some of these people?
Hey, CFlores6 -
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. It is nice to read some original content.
I wonder about one of your quotations, though. In what way(s) is "To be a liberal or conservative is to be close minded" an oppressive statement? Are they arguing that we should not be unwilling to accept ideas from opposing camps? Or, are they dismissing anyone that deviates from a more decidedly centrist political perspective?
Nice post. I hope you're well!
Courtney
Do you think that the users that posted the offensive comments in your example would have said the same things if they were in a polite conversation with friends around the dinner table or sitting at a bar or cafe? I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the so-called "anonymity" afforded to Internet users has caused a degradation of our social filters and in many ways has changed the ways that we communicate about difference.