Race in SL

After being a member of the "SL" community since 2006, I came to the conclusion that SL is a white world made in the image of its creators and reflecting their cultural perspectives (and sub-conscious prejudices). Nothing wrong with that. It's only natural. With time, however, more black skins and avatars became available. But on the whole, non-white skins and avatars were limited, especially for ethnic groups that didn't fall into the black/white dichotomy through which most Americans see the world.

Fortunately, X-street came along, which I only recently discovered, and I was able to search through hundreds of stuff in a relatively short space of time. I was happy to find a skin that better reflects my culture, made by the only designer in SL who creates this type.

So I've been having some interesting experiences with this skin in the way that people now react to me. One of the most amusing happened yesterday. I went to a historical sim where you are required to look the part or risk being ejected. I was appropriately dressed. The problem is that in RL history in the place this sim seeks to recreate, Black people would not have been welcomed. So when I entered a diner where everyone was previously chatting and enjoying themselves, all fell silent. I was there for about five minutes looking around before leaving, and not a word was spoken

Reminds me of RL. lol

Those kinda places would go on my blacklist.
I still don't understand why people would respond that way inside a virtual world. Since here race, color and even species don't seem to matter.

Some people just stay narrow minded though... Nothing can ever change that.

Lots of places will go quiet when someone new comes in. It probably wouldn't have mattered if you were wearing a green skin with purple polka dots. We have enough professional race victims in RL, do we really need to bring it to SL?

Here we go again.

I abhor racism. Everyone and every species is welcome, in any place I own. I rub shoulders with furries, tinies, robots, dragons, demons, vampires, kids, foxes, ferrets, walking cardboard boxes, pregnant women, people in latex and restraints, animated dolls, Nekos, surfer boys, Chris Norse, and anything and anyone else I've missed.

Discriminating against *anyone* on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, age, or gender is a no-no, as far as I'm concerned. I root out such intolerance in myself, when I become aware of it, and don't associate with those who embrace such ways of thinking.

On the other hand, I also support free choice. If you make a club, or a roleplay area whose theme doesn't jibe with certain characters, then it's your choice to exlude them. For example, the Gorean universe doesn't have furries in it. Frank's, a recreation of a 30's nightclub, doesn't allow nonhuman avatars, and requires formal dress.)

If you want to visit such areas, complying with the local "dress code" is easy. There's no need to get all huffy.

I went there before as a newbie in a white skin and it didn't happen.

What do you mean by professional race victim?

FOR THE FREAKING WIN!!!!
A race bater like this guy is just the real racisit.. he needs to be a victim more then anything eles.

hehehe

Well i have never been so insulted. I see where Elves rank on your list! They don't!

I know what he means - don't rise to his bait. He wouldn't be allowed to state such things in real so he flaunts his views here. Pay no attention to him.

I understand completely what you mean, Mecha. Even from my own real position, in which people should, apparantly, not bother with my skin colour or racial make-up silence and discrimination happens. I do think it's really improved a great deal in UK (at least where I mix and work socially) but I wouldnt consider some of the USA "integrated" or welcoming to mixed race individuals. I could name states I avoid but would rather shoot myself in the eyeball than get into that argument.

I bet you'll even see some posts in this thread that'll say you are not politically correct to even mention it.

Bravo You!

Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton , Eric Holder. Do I need to list any more?

Oh wow.



Why do people say Race Baiting?

Ignorance of racism, is just as bad as being a racist as far as i am concerned.

With that said, i am out. I have no idea if this is true. I have been wearing a darker African-American ethnic style skin and have had no troubles. In fact, more people go 'gaga' over me than ever before, which i found rather stunning. (Well except a couple people who say my new look is not a turn on to them and that one person who said she didn't like when people used an avatar different than their RL race, or my ears!).

Sorry Jig, the US still has freedom of speech. I cans state my views on any street corner I so desire. I can publish books, web sites, newspapers promoting any view I want.

Chris, we don't need you racism here. It was a perfectly acceptable comment that was made. Are you REALLY as confrontationally oppsed to people like us in your real world? Or is this an act designed to upset people?

Hopefully, human decency and sanity prevails. People have fought a long war in reality to overcome prejudice and vile attitudes that do not deserve to be even spoken or written. I will NOT rise to your rantings and your views. I cannot abide racism in any form. I was raised to NEVER accept racism at any level from anybody. Your views are not consistent with the objectives of Secondlife. Why do you choose to mix with us?

LOL @ Eric Holder. Good call on that hater.

That guy is a professional racist no doubt. The day he took office he brought up racism. Need i mention the Black Panthers that were arrested for voter intimidation outside a voting office - and using weapons - and yet Eric Holder directly dismissed the case that was going to court against them.

That guy sucks, he's a racist no doubt.

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton go without saying.

Anyone remember the jewish shop owner that died thanks to Al Sharpton on the radio revving everyone up about that persons (a jew) store in "black Harlem" and how they don't belong there.

ALL racist suck, reverse racist are just as bad.

*sigh*

Here we go again indeed . . .

Lindal, I take your point, and in most respects agree with it. But race is not clothing: it's integral to our identity. Asking someone to change from modern dress to period dress is one thing; asking someone to essentially "hide" who they really are by donning a different coloured skin is quite another, especially given the history and continued prevalence of racism. (Do I need to post pictures of the most recent anti-Obama demonstrations to make my point?)

It comes down to the fact that there is a correlation between SL and RL. I can change clothes in RL, so changing them in SL is no big deal. There are no furries, Nekos, tinies, or whatever in RL, so asking me to change out of those avatars is not reflection of RL attitudes or prejudices. Ask someone who may ACTUALLY be black to "stop" being black, on the other hand, is challenging her or his RL identity, as well as the SL one.

I'm sorry, but there has to be a limit to what is allowable for RP, and using it to express RL prejudices is it, so far as I am concerned.

@Chris: Sorry, but your response seems to me way over the top. Commenting on reflections of bigotry in SL does not, in and of itself, constitute someone playing the "race card." I thought the OP was admirably measured and rational: there was no "whining" or "complaining" here, just commenting. She/he did NOT simply condemn this as racism, but noted that it made some sense in the context of the RP there. You should save your ire against people who use racism as an excuse for someone who is actually doing that: this looks too much like a knee-jerk response to ANYONE who mentions race.

(And yes, I say this affectionately )

I only confront people who wallow in their victimhood. I could care less what color they are. Tell me Jig, in the last week in the US, a white boy was beat by a mob of black kids on a school bus. Also a black woman was assaulted by a white male. Which one is a hate crime? Are both? Neither?

You are good at that.

I need to take lessons.

There is no such thing as "reverse racism" - it's ALL racism.

I used to be in the "Elves, Gnomes, and Little Men's Science Fiction, Chowder, and Marching Society"*. Does that count?

(* yes, this is real)

Chris, where is the OP "wallowing"?????? Is a single sentence commenting that there is a correlation between the treatment he received in SL, and that accorded him in SL, "wallowing"? Do you really think that there IS no racism against blacks in RL?

On the other hand, I disagree with Jig: I think you DO have a right to make this accusation, even if it is dead wrong.

ETA: I'm still being affectionate!

Possible that they might have been role playing? What did you expect? A parade in the honor of your arrival?

There are countless times when you walk into a new place, RL and SL, where you, as the newcomer, are ignored. Not every place is welcoming. To say that it's because of your avatar is guesswork, at best.

Don't recant to me. I know your sort. I seen your train a'coming a long way off.

I treat every one equally. How is that not consistent?

I challenge you to find one person I have treated in a poor manner because of who they are.

Mecha, there are plenty of people in SL that won't tolerate racism. It's a real mix in here just like it is in the real world. And there are plenty of places to go in SL that welcome people of all colors and types. I know the places that I frequent for music and entertainment welcome everyone.

Don't let one place turn you off. Just check them off your list and carry on with your enjoyment. SL has plenty of places and lots of people that will accept you as you are.