Portrayal of RaceBy: Dubem and Priyanka

For: Mr. KayeGrade: 12

Date: 16 September 2013

Digital Literacy

• “the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies and to recognize and use that power, to manipulate and transform digital media, to distribute pervasively, and to easily adapt them to new forms" – Wikipedia

Race

• “Race is each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics; ethnic group.” – Apple Dictionary

Race in Digital Media

• Unintentionally shapes the way we see other races

• Through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Vine

• Thrive off of stereotypes

• Due to ignorance of ethical differences it becomes more difficult to establish whether information is valid or not

• Subconsciously begin to believe the ongoing stereotypes we see

A few examples of race in digital media

Image One

• The KFC in the back ground is the stereotypical favorite food of those who are black

• Conventionally they are presented as constantly eating fried chicken

• Generalization

• Many people are left uninformed

Image 2

• Pokes fun at physical features

• Small eyes are now the defining feature of Asians in digital media

• Controversial race related humor

• Stereotyping through physical features is commonly found in all kinds of racial humor

Image 3

• Prejudiced people still exist today

• Different races shows diversity

• Children shows innocence

• Prejudice still exists today

• Cause subconscious beliefs that certain races are superior

When we use the Internet

• Make ourselves vulnerable to all forms of information

• Should be able to determine right from wrong

• Should not rely on generalizations as accurate sources of portrayal; instead remind ourselves to only use it for humor

• Digital media is crucial for instant access to information

• Stimulate controversy and cause you to question

• Less human to human contact; makes us less human

Racial Humor

• Physical characteristics

• Conventional attributes

• Their diet

• Stereotypical tendencies

Questions for Discussion

Do you think digital media has shaped

how you view certain races (be it

through stereotypes or not)?

How do you feel about the current stereotypes for

different races? Is it fair?

Thank You!

Website Bibliography

•  N/A. "Digital Media." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_media>.  

• N/A. "Marcia Alesan Dawkins: Miss America: Why Racism Thrives Online -Truthdig." Truthdig Main News. N.p., 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. <http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/miss_america_why_racism_thrives_online_20130916/>.

• N/A. "Race, Ethnicity, and Diaspora in the Digital Age." HASTAC. HASTAC Scholars Program, 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. <http://www.hastac.org/forums/hastac-scholars-discussions/race-ethnicity-and-diaspora-digital-age>.

• Steinmetz, Katy. "How To Tell RaceRelated Jokes in a PostRacial Society."NewsFeed Time. Time Magazine, 12 June 2013. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. <http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/06/12/how-to-tell-race-related-jokes-in-a-post-racial-society/>.

Image Bibliography

• All images are from 9gag and we take no credit for any of the images used in this presentation