The Persistent Challenge of Racism in the Digital Age

The world has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades, driven by advancements in communication, occupations, and technology. While many of these changes have been for the better, certain societal issues, such as racism, persist. This essay explores the enduring problem of racism, particularly its evolution into the realm of online interactions.

Understanding Racism

Racism is not a novel concept. As defined by Merriam-Webster (2022), racism is “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

” This belief system manifests not only as discrimination based on skin color, heritage, or appearance but also as a conviction of superiority of one race over another. This mindset fuels conflicts and entrenches divisive ideologies.

Historical figures like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X exemplify individuals who have faced and fought against racism. Their legacies demonstrate both the destructive power of racism and the resilience of those who oppose it. Despite their efforts, racism has persisted and adapted, finding new avenues for expression, particularly through the internet.

The Rise of Online Racism

The internet has revolutionized global communication, allowing people from different continents to connect instantaneously (Bliuc, 2019). While this connectivity offers many benefits, it also facilitates new forms of racism, notably cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is alarmingly easy; it requires little more than typing an abusive comment and pressing enter (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2019). The anonymity afforded by the internet further emboldens individuals to engage in racist behavior without fear of immediate repercussions (Eschmann, 2019).

Online racism, while less visible than the overt racism of the 1950s and 60s, is no less damaging. It can be analyzed through Ferdinand Tonnies' sociological theory of "gemeinschaft and gesellschaft." Gemeinschaft refers to face-to-face, traditional social interactions, whereas Gesellschaft describes more distant, professional, and modern interactions (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). Historical racism aligns with Gemeinschaft, characterized by direct, often violent confrontations. In contrast, online racism aligns with Gesellschaft, occurring in the impersonal digital realm.

The Challenges of Online Racism

The current state of online racism has reached alarming levels, with many individuals unknowingly perpetuating racist ideologies through seemingly innocuous actions (Bliuc, 2019). For instance, Facebook once hosted a meme page that mocked indigenous people, which was deemed “controversial humor” rather than outright racism. This incident highlights the shortcomings of social media algorithms in identifying and addressing racism. Algorithms often fail to distinguish between harmless content and material that targets individuals or groups based on race (Eschmann, 2019).

Online racism manifests in two primary forms: individual and collective cyber-racism. Individual cyber-racism targets specific individuals, while collective cyber-racism aims to strengthen group identity and disseminate racist propaganda. Both forms exploit the anonymity of the internet to spread harmful ideologies (Bliuc, 2019).

Addressing Online Racism

Combating the problem of online racism requires understanding its root causes. These include the historical evolution of racism, the rise of technology, and the internet, as well as the desire to assert dominance and propagate racial propaganda. The internet provides a platform for those who wish to spread racist ideologies, often resulting in severe psychological effects for victims, such as depression and vulnerability.

Efforts to combat online racism have been varied. The Australian government has implemented measures to address cyber-racism, such as allowing users to report offensive content (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2017). However, more innovative solutions are needed. For example, Jakubowicz (2019) suggests creating applications that automatically identify and report racist content to relevant authorities, providing a more proactive approach to tackling online racism.

The Way Forward

It is imperative to address the issue of online racism with urgency and innovation. Society must reflect on the role of technology in perpetuating discrimination and strive to become responsible digital citizens. The internet should be a tool for unity rather than division, enabling us to foster a more inclusive and harmonious global community.

In conclusion, while the world continues to make technological strides, the persistence of racism, particularly online, remains a significant challenge. Through collective effort and innovative solutions, we can work towards eradicating racism in all its forms, ensuring a more equitable future for all.

References
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2017). Racism. It stops with me. Humanrights.Gov.Au. https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/what-can-you-do/speak/cyber-racism
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2019). 5 current issues of ‘Internet censorship’: Bullying, discrimination, harassment and freedom of expression. Humanrights.Gov.Au. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rZqkr91tPmfcu5X6Me4h-cvtH-rWOYUCns8C6i_V4yw/edit
Bliuc, A. M. (2019, August 27). This is how racism is being spread across the internet. Weforum. World Economic Forum. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rZqkr91tPmfcu5X6Me4h-cvtH-rWOYUCns8C6i_V4yw/edit
Course Hero. (n.d.). It is hard to trace the perpetrator of cyber attacks. https://www.coursehero.com/file/p777vme/It-is-hard-to-trace-the-perpetrator-of-cyber-attacks-since-the-real-identities/.
Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Gemeinschaft and gesellschaft | social theory. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gemeinschaft-and-Gesellschaft
Eschmann, R. (2019, July 30). Racism on the internet: Young people of color react. The Brink. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/internet-racism/
Gornall, K., & Magowan, A. (2019, August 14). Renee Hector “sank into depression” after online abuse following racism case. BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49345402
Jakubowicz, A. (2019, June 13). 6 actions Australia’s government can take right now to target online racism. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/6-actions-australias-government-can-take-right-now-to-target-online-racism-118401
Merriam-Webster.com. (2022). Racism. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism
Tynes, B. M. (2015). Online racial discrimination: A growing problem for adolescents. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2015/12/online-racial-discrimination

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