Blog post #9 Week 12
How is racism instilled into policies?
In Lee’s 2015 (Re) Constructing the body through social media, there are many instances of black women's bodies being racialized. Many policies are rooted in racism and being passed off strict rules that need to be followed. In reality, certain rules are only doing harm by restricting individuals from their own autonomy. This is significant due to beauty standards demanding black women get completely rid of their hair or go through damaging processes to be deemed appropriate, in places like the army or school. These policies are irrational and do not take into account that many different hairstyles exist. This is a harmful idea that also reaches younger audiences to believe they have to change the way they look, or their opportunities will be limited (Lee, 2015).
What is Bell hooks “Homeplace”?
The homeplace is described as a place where black women can express themselves freely and find comfort with others online and have a kind of rest. They can be real places like a coffee shop or someone's actual home. They can also be communities online where one dedicates a blog or maybe a group spreading positive affirmations for those who join. It can be created wherever whenever, the main idea in Lee’s Constructing the body through social media speaks of celebration of one another and appreciating natural beauty. It is a way to support one another and address issues like sexism and racism (Lee 2015).
What part of online communities are not talked about?
Most people know communities as groups of people who come together in order to uplift one another and connect. Yet one side of the internet not mentioned as often is how these groups sometimes get along for the wrong reasons. Some of those instances are seen as #gamergate, a group of gamers who thought they were standing up for the gaming world and to promote ethics yet instead fueled a movement filled with misogyny and disrespect. This caused Zoe Quinn, to be harassed and fearful for her safety, due to false allegations of her game being promoted due to favoritism with developers. The hate speech being spread showed a clear message, women were being pushed out of the gaming world due to discrimination. (Hathaway 2014).
How are communities being used as profit?
One interesting take that Mclaine makes in Ethnic Communities Online, is how certain movements have taken advantage of people seeking to be a part of something and slowly incorporating plans to profit from them. This usually happens when what was once an online forum for certain minorities, slowly grows bigger, and creators start to find ways to gain money off of them (Mclaine, 2013). I have personally seen this happen in the Latine community. What was once aimed as a movement to accept all parts of our culture, including fashion statements like zoot suits and its historical significance, then turned into a market focused on selling hoodies and stationary items with Chicano culture as the face, only to be sold at a high-end price and become a fast trend with no recognition of past injustices towards the people.
Hathaway, J. (2014) What is Gamergate, and Why? An Explainer for Non-Geeks.
Lee, L. (2015). Virtual Homeplace:(Re) Constructing the body through social media. Lexington Books.
Mclaine, S.(2003) Cyberactivism: Ethnic Online Communities. Routledge.












