THESE ARE THE PEOPLE I WANT YOU TO RESPOND TO.
1.by Kate Struthers – Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 11:01 AM
Some of the ways that technology and a social network supports marginalized communities is having a space for trans people to connect and build relationships. Virtual spaces such as the Transgender Resource center provide access for trans people an opportunity to interact with one another that, share experiences and provide support that is removed from real life where people are not as accepting. This acceptance in the virtual world enhances self-worth, and a positive sense of well-being (Cunningham, 2013). This positive aspect of technology is important, and I believe helps some people get through a difficult identity transition which is a very important and positive side to technology. When a person is developing their identity transition and may be experiencing stigmatization in the real world, having support through technology can provide feeling understood and allowing one to explore their identity, and taking away some possible shame.
Connolly, I., Palmer, M., Barton, H., & Kirwan, G. (2016). An Introduction to Cyberpsychology. New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group
2.by Ping Chan (Ingrid) – Thursday, August 5, 2021, 11:35 AM
First off, this story reminds me of William Hung who became famous by appearing on a TV talent show in 2004 – the twisted meaning of “entertainment” which is to mock other’s appearance. In 2010, I believe people were trying to tease Antoine Dodson because he reacted “differently” as compared to a stereotype of young black male. To me, both phenomenon of Hung and Dodson are a collective bullying towards a minority group, which is very bad taste/low class and makes me feel uncomfortable.
Secondly, Chapter 8 of our book surprised me by these words: “A man cannot be black, masculine, and gay simultaneously” (Cunningham, 2013, p.171). Obviously, Dodson broke the stereotype and brought to the audience a whole new interpretation of what gay black male looked like in reality. People might have felt very interested in his re-creation of the image of gay black man and hence the Gregory Brother’s clip became a new sort of recreation (aka entertainment). The news report brought to people things not necessarily happening in their neighborhood; the internet also shared some of that prospect, but on top of it, it could switch the focus from the attempted rape, the victim, the perpetrator to the “hero” and how the “hero” looked. Instead of applauding for Dodson’s courage and his heroic act, the Gregory Brothers created the song (that almost feels like) praising the intruder by telling people to “hide yo kids, hide yo wife, and hide yo husbands cuz they rapin errybody up in here” (Cunningham, 2013, p.173). This is like at the cost of the victim to find “fun”. Also some sort of exploitation I would say.
Third, perhaps the remake of the news interview into a hiphop song was a smart move. In a Quora thread, Tadziu Johnson explained that “hiphop, as a culture, are the outcasts from society, and their art reflects that of the oppressed” (Quora.com). The ghetto appearance of Dodson reminded the public that he “came from a part of the city in which members of a minority group live, especially as a result of social, legal, or economic pressure” (Ghetto, 2021), which could be something that an average person (from somewhere else) might not be seeing on a daily basis. People could have got “excited” by seeing something “new” and peeking into some “hood”.
Lastly, one interesting thing Chapter 7 mentioned is “who owns the identity?” (Cunningham, 2013). Dodson might have intersected or injected himself into the internet space, however, very much not by his own calculation, but based on a stereotype by or perception of others. In fact, well before the internet era, I don’t think we can see every side of everyone we knew. Internet could have been an accomplice to amplify one single side, but I would say our own perception or cognition also limit our ability to really know people, or even, our own self.
References
Cunningham, C. (2013). Social networking and impression management: Self-presentation in the digital age. Lexington Books.
Ghetto (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2021 from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghetto
Quora.com. Re: Why are most of the rappers black? [Online discussion board]. Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Why-are-most-of-the-rappers-black
