Internet Racism?

[iroleplayyaoi]

I'm really sorry to hear that something like that happened to you. I wouldn't know how it feels like to be called something due to race [I'm white], but from past bullying I do know that words can hurt a lot.

Don't let it get to you and change your avi back to what it was before. You'll only be showing the trolls that their words really hurt you and you don't want that. Find an icon that says something like "I'm asian and I'm proud!" or "if these eyes don't look open, than open your damn eyes!" [I heard that on a movie, but I can't remember what one] or "watch it I'm asian, I know how to kick ass."

Really stick it to them and you might not even come across them ever again in the first place. Just use what you know people believe [damn sterotypes] to your advantage and make/find a funny icon that really sticks it to them.  ;)

Also, it still exists. Take it from the girl that had her step dad say "I didn't know they let them in there" when a black lady came out of Money Tree. I was SO embarrassed and to this day I don't know if she heard it or not.

People just have issues with other people for some reason. If we could all get alone and not have war issues or anything, that would be great. Too bad there are more mean/trolls/rude people out there than nice one's.

[Leo]

Encouraging someone to stand up to bullies is a thoughtful act, but not really the best advice. See, me and a couple others suggested silence because these bullies want attention, that's the primary reason behind their behavior. They will thrive on the attention given to them, keep harassing you until you give up.

Unless one is a person who believes sometimes violence is the correct answer, silence is always the best option. But if one is not hesitant to land a couple of punches and all, it's always a quick solution to break a few teeth so that bully can't talk for a few weeks without his mouth hurting. Not that it solves anything, it can be satisfactory sometimes. :P

[markjohn510]

It is still present in today's America,I have a Muslim room mate with me in college and we log in to the internet to play a computer game called counter strike a lot, it's basically us against everyone and every time we play, anonymous people log in and call him a terrorist or make fun of his religion, it's hurtful for me too being a friend sitting next to him and watching him take it, he is a great guy and a loyal friend, but some people just have to brand others, and its a disgrace.

[Leo]

Hmm, I'll be branching out of the topic here a bit, so bear with me please.

In Turkey we've been suffering from terrorism for nearly 20 years now. Sacrificed thousands of soldiers and civilians to the armed reaction to past political choices made by the old governments. The term terrorism is misunderstood thanks to the simpleton media of today. I find it safe to claim those who separate themselves from one or more types of citizens of their country are no better than armed terrorists who kill people to make a point. Terrorism is about dividing the people of a country in two or three or a million groups, categorizing yourself and others like enemies and hating anyone that is not "one of you".

To the people of some countries, terrorists are muslims or middle-easterns. To others it's Americans. Frankly I think all are wrong. A terrorist, if you ask me, is anyone (with weapons or with words) trying to divide a country into factions. Sometimes the excuse is based on racism, sometimes on conflicting political views and sometimes on cultural nature. Whatever the reason and the means may be, true terrorists are those who think hostile approach and taking sides on the same corner will solve anything.

Anyone's free to correct/counter my claims... I just felt like saying what I think when I read markjohn510's friend is being harassed with the term terrorist.

[markjohn510]

Hmm, I'll be branching out of the topic here a bit, so bear with me please.

In Turkey we've been suffering from terrorism for nearly 20 years now. Sacrificed thousands of soldiers and civilians to the armed reaction to past political choices made by the old governments. The term terrorism is misunderstood thanks to the simpleton media of today. I find it safe to claim those who separate themselves from one or more types of citizens of their country are no better than armed terrorists who kill people to make a point. Terrorism is about dividing the people of a country in two or three or a million groups, categorizing yourself and others like enemies and hating anyone that is not "one of you".

To the people of some countries, terrorists are muslims or middle-easterns. To others it's Americans. Frankly I think all are wrong. A terrorist, if you ask me, is anyone (with weapons or with words) trying to divide a country into factions. Sometimes the excuse is based on racism, sometimes on conflicting political views and sometimes on cultural nature. Whatever the reason and the means may be, true terrorists are those who think hostile approach and taking sides on the same corner will solve anything.

Anyone's free to correct/counter my claims... I just felt like saying what I think when I read markjohn510's friend is being harassed with the term terrorist.

Leo, how many Americans are called terrorists in America? yet how many of them are called terrorists in Iraq? If you mentioned the media distorting definitions, then my friend, here too is the same case, the media portrays Middle Eastern people calling Americans terrorists, the people don't think that way and even if they do, there is no fault of the American people in that, it is the fault of the administration, the people should not be given labels based on what its administration or a group of people among them do! that is just wrong. Lots of soldiers have died in Iraq, U.S soldiers, but millions of innocent Muslims have died in Iraq,Afghanistan and Kashmir, and still being killed and women being raped, children being handed guns instead of toys, everything we see here is shown as were doing good for the country we invade,while on the other side we are portrayed as the enemy, it's like the media has taken the role of being on the side of whoever pays more (America in America,Iraq in Iraq) and in return jus sits and reaps profits.

[Leo]

I believe I've stated in my past that I think the conceptions of either west or east being terrorists is wrong. If there is need for specific details, I'll say that I tried to explain how media attempts to label countries and people. I've also tried to explain terrorists are often the ones who accuse others of being so.

[Leo]

mmm, "stated in my post"  not past -sorry  :D

[Oniya]

And yet, there are Caucasian terrorists:  Timothy McVeigh.  Ted Kaczinsky.  Whoever was responsible for the 2001 DC Anthrax mailings (the one non-Caucasian investigated there was exonerated.  The prime suspect committed suicide by Tylenol OD.). 

A terrorist is one who intends to inflict terror, regardless of race, creed, or any other consideration.

[Leo]

If a man is glorifying men and women who killed hundreds of people and calling them heroic guerrillas instead of terrorists, is he not a terrorist himself? Or if a man is trying to divide society into factions from which terrorism will be spoon fed its recruits, is he innocent? Is aiding terrorism, not terrorism?

Perhaps the term needs a more sophisticated depiction, or am I missing something? I'll admit I'm speaking from personal experience and judgment and not official information on the stuff. I figured I didn't need to read about something I can just follow the daily news and learn about, make my own judgment as to what it is.

[Lilias]

Encouraging someone to stand up to bullies is a thoughtful act, but not really the best advice. See, me and a couple others suggested silence because these bullies want attention, that's the primary reason behind their behavior. They will thrive on the attention given to them, keep harassing you until you give up.

Hurling provocation back at the hateslingers is one thing, ignoring them is another, capitulating to their demands is yet another. The OP can very well restore her avatar, then proceed to refuse to even acknowledge, let alone respond to, their attacks. The ignore function is her (and everyone else's) best friend - that's why all internet communities have one. I've used it liberally myself over the years, and definitely recommend it. All the vociferating in the world can do squat to one who isn't listening.

[Leo]

All the vociferating in the world can do squat to one who isn't listening.

That's the goddamn truth :D

[Chevalier des Poissons]

I'm not sure what happened there, Mob Mentality? Somebody else said it, so it was okay?

In Brazil we have a concept to define people like that: e-penis. It consists on how much certain random troll has virtual fame. Inn that specific case, maybe the one who started it, or the first one to say something about it after the first comment, was someone with a big e-penis, meaning that, in the mob mentality, he was one with a good amount of virtual respect. That caused the others to lose their personalities and follow the lead blindly. Regardless of what one says, the others will follow "just for the lolz"

Was I letting them win when I changed my picture to a cartoon instead?

It is not about winning or losing, it is about how much you let their bullying affect you. Your indian friend was right on defending your picture, you should've let it there instead and ignored their comments. I know it is easier to say than to do that, but they are exactly like school bullies: Ignore them and they will go away.

It's weird how much ruder people become when they can hide behind a computer screen and a user name, I thought we lived in 2010? We finally have something other than a white guy
for president! Does racism still exist on such a hidden level that people can bring it out only when they can hide behind something? God forbid we act racist anymore, thats not 2010, thats not green.

Sad news: Racism never went away. The difference from today to last month is that people care more about the opinion of everyone else, enough to hide who they really are, afraid of being judged, because they can and will judge everybody else in their minds. That's why people tend to change when they are in the internet, for the exact same reason most of them change when drunk: They lose their innibitions. In the internet case it is because they are protected by the annonimity of the virtual world, otherwise they would actually treat you like a queen, hence nerd kids are shy in their real lives and tend to hit on every living girl in the internet.

I honestly believe that some people maybe voted for a black president in a way to say "See? I am not racist", even if just to themselves.

[Lord Drake]

I know this may be seen as sitting on the fence but I guess this kind of internet behavior must be approached case-by-case. There are cases into which ignoring the offender is the best solution and other cases into which that would be basically "giving up". It all depends on who the offender is, actually.

If the offence is caused with the precise intent of starting an argument, I would say that the best reaction would be to use the "ignore" button as Lilias said. There are those who are plain trolls and they roam the internet trying to start flamewars and they obviously tackle sensitive topics when trying to do so.

If the offence is part of a more complex debate, I usually stand my ground, though.

[Florence]

I often think if someone were to see me and my online friends in our group chats, they'd think we were horrible racists, but the thing is we just make stupid jokes because we all know none of us are taking it seriously. I have a black friend in that group who's like a brother to me, and I make racist jokes at him all the time, and he takes it in stride, and usually makes a witty comeback of his own.

That said, I find it completely disgusting when people go out and harass other people like that. I would never say that kind of stuff in public, not because I'm like... afraid of getting shot or any stupid reason like that, I just know that other people would get very rightfully offended.

However, the honest truth is that they were probably not really racists, they were just engaging in the national pastime of the internet: trolling. Simply put, there's two ways to handle that. Either confront them and have fun arguing with them, or just ignore them. Just don't take them seriously, that's the key.

[markjohn510]

I often think if someone were to see me and my online friends in our group chats, they'd think we were horrible racists, but the thing is we just make stupid jokes because we all know none of us are taking it seriously. I have a black friend in that group who's like a brother to me, and I make racist jokes at him all the time, and he takes it in stride, and usually makes a witty comeback of his own.

That said, I find it completely disgusting when people go out and harass other people like that. I would never say that kind of stuff in public, not because I'm like... afraid of getting shot or any stupid reason like that, I just know that other people would get very rightfully offended.

However, the honest truth is that they were probably not really racists, they were just engaging in the national pastime of the internet: trolling. Simply put, there's two ways to handle that. Either confront them and have fun arguing with them, or just ignore them. Just don't take them seriously, that's the key.

Great response Finn but I must say,out of your two options, I'd go for the first (fighting)

[Leo]

I gave this a bit of thought and arrived this conclusion :

If you respond to the trolls, you satisfy them in some ways.
If you choose silence, you satisfy them in other ways.

The best choice seems to be what you feel comfy with the most.

[Lyell]

I am only posting this because I think it is abstractly related to Ayame's situation. I do not feel her reaction was out of line, over the top or unjustified. It (the video) represents an extreme situation and the reaction to it. And I think this guy is hilarious.

Rated M for insanely vulgar language. Consider yourself warned.

Cyber Bullies

[Chevalier des Poissons]

Great response Finn but I must say,out of your two options, I'd go for the first (fighting)

Why?

[Leo]

I am only posting this because I think it is abstractly related to Ayame's situation. I do not feel her reaction was out of line, over the top or unjustified. It (the video) represents an extreme situation and the reaction to it. And I think this guy is hilarious.

Rated M for insanely vulgar language. Consider yourself warned.

Cyber Bullies

The Chief concludes this video to be made of win and agrees the guy is hilarious. The Chief also thanks you for sharing.

[markjohn510]

Why?

Because I'm a sensitive person, I don't like being rude nor do I like rude people. Racism can often make people cry, and those tears are for what? For regret of being created the way one has been created? BS! Racists should be dissed at every possible event, because no one as the right to make fun of a person because of the way he was created, or because of the religion he practices

[Chevalier des Poissons]

Because I'm a sensitive person, I don't like being rude nor do I like rude people. Racism can often make people cry, and those tears are for what? For regret of being created the way one has been created? BS! Racists should be dissed at every possible event, because no one as the right to make fun of a person because of the way he was created, or because of the religion he practices

But doesn't that line of thought is racism against the racists? Aren't we doing to them what they do to other people? I know that their victims are better than them somehow, but doesn't that idea fit the "eye for an eye" belic philosophy?

Think of that: No assaulter is going to change your mind about anything you think you are right about, and the racists tend to think they are -right- on what they are doing. Screaming and fighting then won't change their opinions. In the end we become as oppresive as they are, under the excuse that "they started it". Regardless of who started what, that idea makes it look like things will never end.

I know it is easier to say than to do it, but the best idea on those cases is to ignore them. The closest we can get to them is to beat them in a game, if they take that game too seriously. Basically break their pride, and that may not work as well.