Race Carves a Niche in Online Socializing

The virtual world apes the real world, in all aspects. After all, those interacting in the virtual world are real human beings, with the same instincts, attributes, and the basic need to socialize.

As people end up spending more time online, social networking sites seem to keep them busy in their own virtual space, connecting with people across the globe, dating online or just sharing thoughts and interests. Today, networks such as NewsCorp.’s MySpace , Google’s Orkut and Hi5 have become so overcrowded, that members are now looking to make smaller groups, to identify with, in the sea of unknown names and faces.

This need for people to ‘belong’ has resulted in themes for social networking sites, ranging from ‘ school or college students’, ‘ Family trees’, ‘ vampire freaks’, to ‘Race and Ethnic Minorities’. The last of which is particularly intriguing, owing to the vast number of issues that come tied in with it. A slew of new social networking sites have cropped up on the Internet that is “tailored for people of African American descent, people of color and Ethnic minorities.”

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Some Race themed social networking and video sharing sites include MyBlackFriends.com, MyPeopleTV.com, BlackPlanet.com and Interracialoasis.com (previously known as ColorDates.com).

A majority of online social network users we interviewed believed these sites to be mildly offensive while some are of the opinion that these sites represent the diversity of human race. Race, they say, is just another category for social networking sites, and there is nothing objectionable about it. The fact that the Internet is a free space and one can choose to be part of any website makes it a fair deal. However, an opinionated 22 year old asks, “Why create unnecessary boundaries on the free internet space? We seem to be building walls around ourselves, trying to shut out those who don’t ‘belong’. This is an unhealthy trend. Race is already a sensitive issue in the real world, so why are we letting it haunt us in the virtual space as well?”

This opinion raises the question of the shrinking trend in the social networking space. According to Madhuri Raijada, Professor of Sociology, St. Zavier’s College, Mumbai, “People online are looking for identity. There is a strong urge to make smaller groups and communities because people find comfort in familiarity and small, cozy environment.”

Jon C. Coward, owner and President of Interracialoasis.com agrees, “Just go to any major social networking site. People are separating themselves by race because they want to feel included and not ignored. The phenomena are not just occurring online. People made the same argument about cable television and niche networks that are ‘race-based’. Race-based channels celebrate heritage that is ignored on regular television channels. This is the same thing, except just on the Internet. People don’t question social networks based on hobbies, why question ones based on social affinity?”

Coward adds, “I believe the social networking space is indeed contracting. To be viable and have relevance, the social networks are breaking down into interest groups. People want to feel they belong and no one really wants to be lost in a crowd. When a web site tries to be everything to everyone, it ceases to be valuable to anyone. Even advertisers lose out because they are pushing a targeted message at a general crowd and paying for the useless traffic. I don’t believe we are building unnecessary barriers by creating race specific sites.”

A 19-year old user of MyBlackFriends.com says, “Connecting with a complete stranger who belongs to the same race, halfway across the globe gives a strange sense of belonging. We share so much in common because of the same ethnic background, like similar culture, values even tastes in music. It’s a strange, interesting connection.”
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But what is most important about these social networking sites, is the content. Pearl N. Professor of Psychology, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, says, “We must scrutinize the content of the sites, but with an open and objective mind. Content is the key factor that will decide whether the site is objectionable or not. As far as the concept of race in social networking sites is concerned, I don’t see any problem with it. In the case of ethnic minorities, the sense of identity becomes an even more crucial factor. But if the content in these sites has a hint of jingoism or negative propaganda, then it may be problematic. However, I personally believe these sites are innocent until proven guilty! This trend may even be a stepping stone to something positive in future. I think they should be encouraged!”

Regulation of content becomes another sore point here. Who decides what is politically correct or incorrect? Especially in the case of a sensitive theme such as race, varying notions of ‘objectionable and permissible content’ may prove to be disastrous for members. In fact, if content is not regulated properly here, people may try to propagate their ideologies on the site, turning members into fanatics. This trend may potentially harm the social fabric, because most of these sites are either monitored by the members themselves or by the site owners.

Coward says, “Since the site has a targeted social group, they know what they do and do not want to read. Each member can report objectionable content and the site administrator will deem it either acceptable or non-acceptable. One complaint will not mean removal of content unless it violates the law or our terms of use agreement. Since no one has paid to be a member, the basic rule is if the content offends you and most people find it okay, just (to borrow again from television) change the channel.”

Change the channel? Sure, we could do that but objectionable content or no, this trend is a stern reminder of the fact that we have not shirked from milking revenue out of that one last sore spot called racial diversity. Touch