Examining the Problem of Racism on Medium.com
In today’s digital age, it can be easy to forget that racism still exists in our society. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Racism…
In today’s digital age, it can be easy to forget that racism still exists in our society. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Racism has been an issue throughout history and is a problem today, especially in online spaces like Medium.com. Many Black writers on the website use their experiences as a platform for racism and prejudice without consequence. So why do these writers get away with blatant racism? Let us take a closer look at this issue.
Reframing Discrimination as Perspective
One reason why some Black writers get away with racism on Medium is that they reframe discrimination as perspective or opinion instead of bigotry. For example, a writer might express their views on race relations or discuss their personal experiences with racial discrimination in a way that is framed as “my perspective” or “my experience” rather than simply being racist or discriminatory towards other people. This allows them to avoid potential backlash while still making their point about race relations in our society.
Racism Normalized by Popular Culture
Another factor contributing to Black writers getting away with blatant racism is that it has become normalized by popular culture. With shows like “Black-ish” and “The Boondocks” gaining widespread popularity, it has become increasingly common to see racist jokes and comments made by Black actors or characters without repercussions or consequences. This same attitude has been applied to Black writers on Medium, who often make similar jokes or comments without facing any backlash from readers or editors alike.
Using Race as an Excuse for Bad Behavior
Finally, some Black writers get away with blatant racism because they use their race as an excuse for bad behaviour. These writers will often make sweeping generalizations about particular racial groups while claiming that they are simply speaking “the truth” or giving their opinion on the matter rather than actually being discriminatory towards anyone else. This allows them to hide behind the veil of free speech while avoiding potential criticism from other users on the website.
Racism is still very much alive today and unfortunately, it extends even into digital spaces like Medium where many Black writers get away with blatant racism without consequence due to various factors such as reframing discrimination as perspective, normalizing it through popular culture, and using race as an excuse for bad behavior. All of us need to recognize this issue and take steps to address it head-on so that we can create a more inclusive online space for everyone, regardless of race or background. Only then can we ensure that everyone feels safe and accepted when sharing their thoughts online.