Monday, November 9, 2009
Online race
Last week we discussed how the media frames race, in other words how the media defines race--what it means to be a member of a certain race, what that race is about, what the problem of race is. This week we talked about how the media informs or influences identity just as those in power influence or inform identity. My question is how are these notions working in your online virtual worlds? How does Habbo Hotel or Virtual Barbie define race? Does race exist in virtual worlds? How? Is there a race "problem" online? How?
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Lydia Van Harlingen
ReplyDeleteWhen I first decided to create my Barbie avatar, I noticed that there were not many options when it came to selecting the doll's race. There are five different colors to choose from and they are not too varied. When looking at the different skin color options, it reminded me of my summer makeup and my winter makeup; not really a representation of different races. There were also not many options when it came to the shape of the doll's eyes and facial features. The most notable difference is the amount of makeup and eyelashes that are applied to the eye. Each doll, regardless of its skin color, looks just like a representation of a European girl. I believe that Barbiegirls.com really does not have a true definition of race, other than that it is a slight difference in color between people. I believe that there really is not a true representation of race on barbiegirls.com. I believe that race is present within virtual worlds. However, some represent it in a more realistic light than others. I believe that the division between races is more distinct in other virtual worlds such as Second Life, as it is just that; a second life. On such virtual worlds, people are specifically trying to experiment with their identities; whereas on Barbiegirls.com is more for fun and games. I believe that there is a major race problem online, because many races are not being represented as they should be.
Race definitely exists in virtual worlds! When you create your avatar on Meez you can choose what skin tone you want your avatar to have. This is directly related to race. If it wasn't the avatars would have no skin color they'd all be the same neutral color like grey. Race is displayed by the avatar's hair color or style. In my experience on Meez I haven't found that race is a problem but I have seen some separation in the various rooms based on race.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that race definitely exists in virtual worlds. There are tons of skin tones to chose from on meez. This is a good thing because it's realistic. In the "real world" we come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. However i have also seen where race has been a problem in my virtual world. While visiting one of the "hoods" someone came into the room and said "fuck white people". I didn't know what to do or say, i was shocked! Although what the person said was very inappropriate, i think they were just doing it to get attention.
ReplyDeleteI agree that race exists in virtual worlds. I also have created an avatar on Meez. When you create your avatar there are 20+ colors to choose from for skin type. It is specifically labeled skin color. This is why I believe race is apparent in virtual worlds. Without the option of choosing what your avatar looks like, everyone would realistically look identical. They even have facial feature options that are meant to be towards certain races. With my experience in the virtual world of Meez, I have seen a lot of seperation in rooms. It may just be the specific rooms I have gone in, but a lot of times there is a dominant race present. I don't necessarily find it an issue but more of an interesting observation.
ReplyDeleteRace does, in fact, exist in the virtual world for sure. First of all, there are only a few selections to choose from (race wise) when selecting an identity for a Barbie avatar. There are shades consisting of very light pale complextion to a light chocolate mocca complextion. This is very disheartening because for those girls who don’t fit into the given selections, they are basically being told they are NOT recognized, NOT important, NON-existant. Its amazing to me how this is year 2009 and there is still visible problems with race. If it wasn’t for the media still introducing race as an issue, im sure this would be gone, well atleast in the younger generation. On Barbie girls, I am a lightskinned african american female. And as most "know", light-skinned girls rule the black community. however, that still doesn't mean i will be accepted by all the barbies, because at the end of the day, i am still a black barbie.
ReplyDeleteBlacks have made progress but are still depicting absence on this particular virtual world which is targeted to children. Young black girls as well as other ethnicities besides the dominant hegemonic group, have to try to find similarities when they're not there. The selection of body type, eye and nose choice are not optional, they are standard. Although, the barbie looks cute, its not real! its the media's version of what cute is and children are faced with jealously and sadness because they know they could never look like that. So are they ugly? Is the media's standard of beauty correct/ perfect? No! its not. The dominant ideologies of the dominant hegemonic group are being reflected amongst the world, and we as a community, culture, a people are falling for this ideology and succumbing to their beliefs and their demands. it's just not right, and its shameful that Barbie would only represent their website with such ideologies.
I only hope that barbie girls will eventually enhance their website and include all ethnicities features and characteristics. Until then, someone tell me how to get more white VIP barbies to be my friend!!! LOL
In my experience on Barbiegirls.com I also felt that there was no real representation of race. It might be present in other virtual worlds but definitely not in this one. At first I didn’t even notice that you could change the skin tones of the avatars until someone told me. Even then I went back in and messed around with it some more and there were not many different hair styles or facial changes to make to the dolls. It really seemed more focused on one race which I think is difficult to do with a website like this because Barbie is such a popular toy, I would think they the website would make it so the avatars could fit anyone and not all just be tall and skinny. I agree with what Amber had to say about creating the Barbie avatars. I definitely think it is like they are basically being told they are not recognized, not important and non-existant. I don’t think that is something that young girls should have to deal with.
ReplyDeleteIn Barbie World there is a problem with race. When it comes to choosing the skin color for your Barbie, there aren’t any dark colors to choose from if you are a dark African American little girl. The darkest color in a way makes me think of the dark shade of makeup I buy when I am really tan during the summer. This makes me feel bad for those girls whose skin tones don’t match the colors that are given to choose from. In a way it is like they are being told that they don’t belong.
ReplyDeleteIn Meez there are lots of different skin colors and facial features to choose from to make your avatar look like you, no matter what race you are. It is much more welcoming to everyone. You can choose from different shapes of eyes, noses, lips, etc. This makes it easier for people to be able to make their avatar resemble themselves
I choose Yoville as my virtual world and race does not seem to be a very important issue in this site. There are so many races and ethnicities and everyone gets a long. There were people from Iraq, Ireland, Canada, Egypt, England, and of course the U.S. Most avatars were very interested in getting to know people from other countries and with different backgrounds. Where you were from was one of the main topics of conversation. I thought this was pretty cool. I appreciate it when people are so accepting of others. I even created two different avatars one white and one black to better understand how the other avatars viewed different races, but nothing differed in my avatars interactions. This was refreshing considering all the derogatory comments that we hear everyday all around us. For some it is too natural to say something mean about others. Even when they are just "joking" it is still not cool. So I was pleasantly surprised at what I found out about race on Yoville.
ReplyDeleterace obviously exists in these virtual worlds, we decide on our skin tone, hair type, and everything else that is part of our genetic make up. all of that falls into race. I made my avatar black, and i did it on purpose, i wanted to see if things would be any different, so before i was even in the virtual world, race was already playing a role in my mind. I dont think it changed the way people treated me or saw me, i just think its a mind game. I think that until you get in the real world and experience what people of different races and cultures experience, then you really never can know what factor races play. I think as a white male ive experienced mostly good things, and i dont think thats a good thing. i think it shouldnt matter and i'd like to see everyone have any advantage that i have access to.
ReplyDeletewhen it comes to virtual barbie, your race is determined by which of the 5 skin colors you choose from, varying from pale to really dark. for barbies other than white, you can choose to darken your skin, your eyes, change the shape of your eyes and lips, and even go for a short 'do, but for the most part, you still look like the original white barbie. there is little room to express race other than by modifying these few attributes. i really think the creators were aiming for most members to want to be the white barbie doll which was originally created.
ReplyDelete