Researchers find racial bias in virtual worlds

Pointing and laughing usually works for me. Tolerance should be a two way street, I think, to include tolerating the intolerant. You don't have to agree with or even listen to what these idiots say, their saying it actually helps expose them for the idiots that they are. I used to love going to Times Square, before it was Disneyfied and listening to all the soapbox loonies. I'd pack a lunch and make a day out of it.

I've come across these knuckleheads occasionally, I usually just ignore them and move on. Sometimes I'll banter with them for a bit for a few giggles.

I've had a few brushes with people having issues with my Nationality. Once in The Dublin sim, a guy berated every American in the Blarney Stone with an Irish last name as being frauds, too embarrassed of our country to choose an American name, whatever that may be. Another time, I spent about 20 minutes making small talk with a very nice Continental type, who finally got around to asking where I was from. When I told him he said "Oh. I don't want to talk you". Then there was another one , who after bit of conversation, suddenly remebered he didn't speak English when he found out I was American

But until they act, it is merely words. We give words way too much power nowadays in this PC crazy culture. The sticks and stones adage has alway been on I lived by. We all have different levels at what is offensive, and while I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, policing what they think and say is the slipperiest of slopes.

Words are the cause of psychological abuse. They elevate blood pressure and weaken the immune system.

Responsibility is a holistic animal.

It is amazing how someone even here may be Gay in their profile mentioned the love of a same sex partner via profile or sexually kinky as all hell but still have issues with things that might be Gay i.e Gay group name tags, shiny, flamboyant jackets and may even say extremely racist and homophobic sounding things.
I guess part of Our World, Our Imagination is also we bring and have unfortunately right to our own unconscious bias and prejudice.
It is sad but true. It exist even if you're Gay or hanging out in Gay places in SL.
Same can be said about irresponsible assumptions of those into D&S who assume where ever they go everyone is going to be the play things, and if they black they automatically want to be degraded like what my boyfriend experienced.
Luckily when I am wearing my black avatars no one talks to me but yet maybe be ignored is also a form of silent racism, because people don't see you as someone they want to talk to you and just want to ignore you.
Yet I guess people have that right to be and do what they want, regardless of how it effects others.
I had friend who said when she had male avatar no one talked to her, but when she had female one everyone was friendly, sometimes too friendly.
Just like in real world if you're Female alone in public place people assume you want company and are available for all things, yet if you're Male it means something else?
It is okay for others especially White people to behave with fear if you're Black regardless if you have cane and moving slow you're still seen as seen as someone frightening or up to something criminal if you're over 1 feet tall and a Black Male?
Is that because People assume certain things about all Male avatars are sexist grievers because their are some out there who act like sex fiends?

From what I read here you would think racism is only geared towards blacks.


And does racism surprise anyone here just because it's a virtual world? What's the difference between here and real life?

Wrong question.

The right question is, "How do I become one of these researchers who manages to collect a paycheck from fiddling around on the internet and then stating the blatantly obvious?"

I'm doing a study of my own. I'm calling it: "Sports Scores - Are They Available on ESPN?", which will then be followed up with: "An In-Depth Investigation Into the Alleged Availability of Videos of People Doing Goofy Stuff on Youtube."

Racism tends to be focused on certain groups. Yet that isn't always the case but it started with how certain groups were treated and it sort of mushroomed else where.
The difference is when its directed towards White Men it is newer thing that would never happen or wouldn't happen in same ways, and they can use it to dismantle certain things that civil rights movement tried to change.
It makes me sad when my boyfriend says in forty years all black Americans will be replaced and those won't exist any more and no one will notice.
Thing is hate breeds hate it doesn't matter what the person looks like or what their race, nationality or sexuality is, it becomes deep with the individual and culture and they begin to see world in Us vs Them, that certain people are okay to hate and be suspicious of based on just
how they look or based on stereotype.
I am not shocked it exist here because People are here. People bring their judgments when they rezz into a virtual world.

We have only one big rule about avatars on Livingtree: respect. You can be a vampire, a robot, a bird, a dinosaur, a furry, a feral, a mermaid, a puppy, an elf, a faerie, a kitty, a prim, a rock, a flying book, a giant, a kid, a goth, any hue of skin, any size, any build, any thing... even your typical Brandie or Clint. Just be respectful of the place and its people.We'll do all we can t' accomodate ya.



Well, there goes that avatar idea. Now what'll I take t' Show an Tell?



Ya, I agree. It gets a little silly given one can be anything. But some people are just exactly what they are IRL, and can't see beyond that. Some people, too, seem t' jes wanna spoil f'r a fight.

Mari

What's a "feral"? I know the adjective but not the noun...

I guess I get treated to "size-ism" since I'm only 5'1".

I've noticed I get treated a bit differently at times, almost like a kid, when I'm dealing with someone 6' or taller. Then there's the embarassment of buy suits & dress clothes in the kids section. And the stares from strangers in a mall, as I walk along with my 5'10" Fiancee. Ok, even my mother & I get stared at (she's 4'11".
I've learned to deal with it. My mother gets a little upset about it.

There are some uses to a shorter height. Walking under things is #1.

One day in Pittsburgh as I and a classmate were walking down the street, I noticed a guy behind me was busy texting someone. Well, there was this street sign that was high enough I could walk under it, which I did. A few seconds later I hear *CLANG*. The guy behind me ran headfirst into it. ZOMG! I never laughed so hard!!!

I also noticed that kids like me! I'm not some big giant adult. I'm closer to their size

A great way to start would be to post surveys on video game forums asking why people play the game, what they like to buy in supermarkets etc etc... it usually works best on a Friday

Dakota already played that card or I would go post one now - it was awesomely hilarious.

Feral actually refers to a species transplanted from its native habitat (which subsequently upsets the environmental balance of the new area).

It's come to mean to take on savage behavior from being transplanted from a natural habitat. Babies being brought up by wolves, the Weasley's enchanted car living in the forest, etc...

Wil Feral is one of my favorite comedians

You know...I bet a Letter from the Lindens on tolerance and nicety would come in handy right now.....

I've been brown, black, gold, blue, zebra-striped, silver, green, and even old. The only comment I've ever gotten regarding skin color was "Why are you old when you can be young and beautiful?"

I always thought the term feral had to do with wild sex hehe.
I guess I should have asked what it meant by that Aussie I was cybering years ago.