Race and Second Life

Im actually black myself IRL, i have made a black av before, but have never really worn it as a peramanet av. When i first started playing SL my av was blue since i just wanted to be different, then i eventually made him white and gothic, and the reason for that is not because i want to be white in RL, (which i dont) nor gothic, but when i look at a gothic person in RL i always see a wardrobe that basically says "im depressed, and i dont give a fuck about anything". So i eventually got the idea of making that my av, cuz i wanted to see what it would be like to see myself as a white and gothic (once again, not that i would want to be white or gothic). and now i ussually make different av's of all sorts, cuz i choose to represent my personality in RL rather than the color of my skin, or the way I talk. (not meaning im a cross dresser or anything, or that i create alternate personalities in RL, but you get the idea ).

Im actually black myself IRL, i have made a black av before, but have never really worn it as a peramanet av. When i first started playing SL my av was blue since i just wanted to be different, then i eventually made him white and gothic, and the reason for that is not because i want to be white in RL, (which i dont) nor gothic, but when i look at a gothic person in RL i always see a wardrobe that basically says "im depressed, and i dont give a fuck about anything". So i eventually got the idea of making that my av, cuz i wanted to see what it would be like to see myself as a white and gothic (once again, not that i would want to be white or gothic). and now i ussually make different av's of all sorts, cuz i choose to represent my personality in RL rather than the color of my skin, or the way I talk. (not meaning im a cross dresser or anything, or that i create alternate personalities in RL, but you get the idea ).

You'd think in a role playing game like this, this topic wouldn't be really relevant...but I guess art imitates life in this case, huh? I come from an multi-ethnic background, but I never really gave it much thought as to how that would affect what type of AV I'd use in SL. Those who've I've come to know well over the past months that I've been a member know that I have about 2 dozen AVs (over a dozen unique AVs, while others are the same AVs with different outfits), and I've become famous for my various superhero themed AVs and pretty gowns I like dressing others in.

Race aside, I find it very funny how some are so self conscious of playing both "genders" of AVs, no wanting others to think that it may be a reflection of their RL sexuality (which I say "GET OVER YOURSELF"...if ya only really knew how much time people actually spent thinking about you, I bet you really wouldn't be all that concerned of what others thought of you.) After playing SL for a few weeks, I never thought how much fun I'd have playing both genders of AVs. Being a former illustrator, I finally get to realize some creativeness with the male and female form in all it's variations in SL...THAT SOOO ROCKS! The fact that I can utilize attachments makes it that much more fun! LOL!

Race is only an issue if people make it one. It's a simple venue...no racist comments or actions usually means no issues to contend with. I'm not saying that this is a topic to ignore, but if one treats others with respect and a degree of thoughtfulness, more likely than not, that is the kind of treatment most would return in kind. I found that being a respectful, generous and considerate participant in SL goes a long way...much like RL. Ultimately, what kind of impression do want others to associate you with...that of you being an ass or one that others would want to hang out and associate with (regardless if you're a faerie, demon, nympho, geek or whatever your AV is)?

My character in game is black with long, black curly hair and pupiless, silvery eyes. He also has those charcoal, grey falcon wings attached to his back. I'm hispanic in real life, and sexually speaking my in game character looks rather androgynous to me but I did click on male. I'm Puerto Rican and Dominican, tan skin, curly hair and I can trace my heritage to west Africa, Spain and some native Caribbean islanders.

I decided on the more African template because I wanted to be a little different, and I find my African ancestory a little more magickal, which is why my character has a slight fantasy look to him.

Heh, my av is definitely a shape shifter/shiftress.

I started out with a chocolate brown av, gave her the WIDEST hips I could muster and an Asiatic face. ^^ I guess she turned out looking like an African/ Mongolian mix. (Which isn't me at ALL. I'm more Native American, Guyanese, Black mix. Hoo yeah!)

Then, I made a child version of my av...and since she got such good compliments, I decided to make a guy av.

I was a little nervous about making him...I didn't want to stray too far from the mold, but he came out alright.

I've grown more comfortable with creating avs for meself than worrying about race. It doesn't really matter anyways in SL.

*salutes*

To me the issue of race and sexuality is not important. The beauty of Second Life is that you can be who or what you want to be. Those of you that have seen me know that I am purple in color. Does this mean that I want to be this color in RL? No. I have also been known to flirt with men and women alike. Does this mean something about my sexuality? No. It means that I like to have fun and don't care what you really look like or what your sexual preference is. This is a chance to be someone or something that you don't ordinarily get the chance to be in RL.

Always remember that we all bleed the same color and in the dark of night we all look the same

Just to weigh in real quick and add to the data collection...

My first MMORPG char (in DAOC) was male, sort of a default choice for me since it was my first MOG and I am a white male IRL. My second and main char was a female magician (because I thought a female elf mentalist would look cool). Needless to say, she became my main online persona, not just in DAOC but also SWG and now SL.

My current AV has snow-white skin, black hair and wears a combination of purchased outfits and wings. I made her female because after my experiences in other MMORPGs, I'm mostly used to playing a female char named Lymirah. For me, there was no question that she would be female (and wear wings). The snow-white skin & black hair go well with her outfit imo. I do have a fire-engine red skin template and a "white" skin template too, both as options for the outfit.

On a semi-related note (gender), I have had significantly different experiences playing male and female chars. Generally, as a female char I would have an easier time and get more help. However, when I tried out being a dancer in SWG, I also got a lot of cat calls and idiots harassing me. It's a double-edged sword really. People in virtual environments often feel freer to express themselves BUT not always in a pleasant manner. Fortunately, I have yet to really meet any such individuals in SL. I know I probably will some day, but at least it wasn't yesterday or today.

I've tried to make all my AVs as interesting as possible since there is no way, with these simple polygons, to reproduce the beauty that is me..... ahem....

Gothic dress in the early days struck me as being particularly creative and appealing. It's become rather banal though.

Scratching my zebra skin - I only see black and white and rainbow delight!

My experiences with racial discrimination is rather limited - IRL, I am of european heritage. In other games, I have played characters of other races and genders.

On the gender topic, I've only noticed a few reaction differences - "RU fem IRL??" vs. an expectation of combat familiarity (when male). However, in SL, more than one person has expressed suprise that a woman could write a script at all (even though mine are quite basic).

I have seen a few avs here that seem intentionally offensive - a pigmy headhunter, a gold-toothed pimp, and a drunken native american come to mind. I'm definately for freedom of expression, especially here in a game where the entire purpose is self-expression... I'm just a little disapointed that some people's creativity would lead down those roads.

It seems to me that the general assumption (regardless of avatar) is that the user is a generic white suburban male - at least until disclosed otherwise. That is, I suppose, the point of this post - most people seem to save their prejudice for what they percieve to be the player's race and gender, rather than the avatar's.

I've always liked your avatar, AnneDroid.

My "normal" avatar actually looks 99% like my RL self. I even gave myself the love handles. It's flattering when I get the occasional compliment on my normal avatar

I don't give much thought to what people's RL selves look like. For me, this is all about who you are in SL.

I am new here but planning to stick around - my avatar is a different race than I, she has an asian look, simply because I thought it looked good I have yet to notice anyone treating me differently, But I will let you know after I've been around for a while =p

I don't have just one AV... figure if I can have that many, why stick to one? So, depending on the day, the mood, the activity and whatever strikes my fancy, my AV can have any gender or race SL permits me For me, it's just plain fun to be a tall, leggy blonde one day; a short, chubby girl the other and a pink fairy the next... heck, some days I'm Xena! What more could I want? LOL Most people on SL are very well behaved and friendly and I haven't had any problems with anybody regarding my appearance and clothes (or lack thereof!), which only encourages me to shape shift even more =D