Has the computer screen replaced the white hood in American social discourse?

[Scuba]

This morning the Milwaukee Urinal/Sentinel posted an article by columnist Eugene Kane. Mr. Kane, who is black, often writes about racial issues in Milwaukee, and there is plenty of fodder for his columns. Today's article regards trust, as seen through the recent Wisconsin elections. Not a racial theme.

Nonetheless, the racists appear, not in white hoods, but behind computer screens. Here's a sample:

"Much like you are not trusted Mr Kane, to deliver any type of article that does not include your race baiting about the black man being held down.

You are perhaps the most racist individual concievable, as evidenced by your continued spew against the evil white man.

You should be ashamed that your rhetoric does nothing but incite black folks to ever increasing dislike and mistrust of the very same white people who, more often than not, are trying to help them. "

another...

"Because of Eugene Kane, Michael Jackson wanted to be white. Jackson didn't want to have the same race as Kane. "

another...

"Are you guys serious? How in the world can anyone with any type of brain get offended when someone calls out Eugene over his race baiting articles? I mean the guy twists and turns everything to benefit his side of view. Its almost comical that someone would defend him and call other people racist for criticizing his controversial topics. Only in Wisconsin! "


Now I suppose one could argue the above statements are not racist, but rather calling out Mr. Kane for being racist. But my personal experience here in Wisconsin confirms that racism is alive and thriving. I'm an old white guy, and other white guys often assume that I'll go along with what they say. And what they say is racist. I get small glee from giving these asshats enough rope to hang themselves, then calling them out. Occasionally one might even show signs of shame.

In any regard, I see too much hate of all varieties hiding behind anonymous screen names. I've no clue what to do about it, except keep calling it out. I think it's imperative that the "impressionables" see that hateful language and behaviour is not acceptable.

[disillusioned73]

1. In many instances it has emboldened them...

a hood can easily be removed.. the anonymity of the internets has not only revived but I think to a certain extent, created a whole new generation of racists & bigots that hide behind a keyboard like the cowards that they are.

[KingOfLostSouls]

2. its alive and well on the internet my friend

I'm a younger guy and an avid online gamer. we use a voicenetworking system and during multi player events we have about 25 of us in a group at once, all playing. not people I know personally, its all off the internet. one guy this past friday started bitching about obama out of nowhere and turned it into jokes about "hanging porchmonkeys" and stuff, just completely out of nowhere. I brought it up to the other people in there who run it and yeah.

the internet anonymity allows people to be blatantly racist without any form of blowback for them in real life. they can make jokes about porchmonkeys and all that kinda stuff without fear of someone punching them in the mouth.

thankfully, from what I understand, the other gamers in our group didn't take kindly to it either so there's gonna be hell to pay. most people assume there's a whole system of angry white men out there on the internet not realizing some of us are minorities or white people who aren't racist.


if people had to be held accountable, you bet your momma's pajamas they'd be worried about getting their asses kicked.

[Lyric]

3. The internet has made us all assholes. Seriously.

The anonymity brings out the absolute WORST in us. We say things here that we would never say to someone's face. Being on the internet is a little like being drunk. Our inhibitions decrease, our aggressiveness increases, and we are far less likely to take the opinions, thoughts, and feelings of other people seriously. Small disagreements become enormous mud-slinging fiascos. EVERYTHING seems vitally important, whether it actually is or not. And worse--when we see this sort of thing manifesting in others, it tends to radicalize our thoughts and perceptions about the other people on the internet. We assume that the people who act like bigoted jerks online ALSO act that way in real life, and they assume the same about US. In the end, we all get angrier and less rational, and we are far less likely to be able to find a compromise.

I wish we all had our photographs in our siglines. Maybe that little reminder that the words on your screen represent a real person could make a positive difference in the level of discourse. :(

[pintobean]

Excellent post

[Blue_Tires]

4. excellent points

and the trend has not gone unnoticed:

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/racists-on-4chan#