Huffaker & Calvert (2005) view that physical constraints become more flexible. Allowing gender and racial identities can be exaggerated or revealed easier online than in person. Grasmuck, Martin & Zhao (2009) focus a lot more on race presence in CMC. When the internet started there was a notion that people would not be racially profiled creating a “raceless” cyberspace. However, with elements such as activist groups, photos, and web-sites asking for race as a demographic tore down the idea of a “raceless” cyberspace.
Huffaker & Calvert(2005) note that the use of emoticons can determine the attitude of a person online. There are certain emoticons that would indicate more male than female persona in CMC contexts. Males are less likely to use emoticons versus females, primarily because females are more open about their feelings. Another finding was that if a male uses emoticons they tend to use them when in conversation with females versus other males.
Grasmuck, Martin, & Zhao(2009) used Facebook to conduct their studies because it does not focus on race. Facebook provides a number of avenues for an individual to disclose who they are: photos; emoticons; check in feature; map locator, etc. I think that these avenues provided by Facebook support the multi faced pallet that the internet gives users to present their self and disclose what they wish on different sites to fit in accordingly in a diverse way.
I think sites focused on race such as “Black Planet” or religious “Christian Mingle” are ridiculous and only contribute to racial and religious profiling.
Yes, I have thought of race more than gender primarily because they have unique names that indicate different races/cultures. My main assumptions are age. The comments from my class mates appear to be views from younger individuals just getting out into the world, and that we have a diverse class that is not from Memphis, TN, a place in our country that is not known for high diversity in races.
Despite personal feelings about the existence of dating websites that unite people based on ethnic backgrounds or religious choices, they have value in being studied by communication scholars. From a research perspective, we can learn by observing how these individuals communicate with each other, not only based on a wish to appear attractive, but also because they will be under certain assumptions about the other parties on the site.
America tends to be a bit of an enigma in the world because so many cultures share a nation, whereas most countries in the rest of the world have a relatively homogenous population. By studying these types of online dating sites, we might have a more accurate picture of how CMC plays out in other areas of the world.
I do agree that sites that focus on religious or race leaves room for profiling. I thought it was amazing that Grasmuck, Martin, & Zhao(2009) conducted their study on Facebook because the site display so many identities. Although race is not a focus on the site it is evident through photos and comments in general.
There are numerous statements in your blog that I agree with. For instance, I admit that I am usually not as open with my feelings as I probably should be. Unfortunately, that comes naturally with me being a male. Also, racial profiling sites seem pretty well pointless to me, since they pretty much counter most positive attempts made on racial equality. Racism probably would not be as big of an issue today if sites like “Black Planet” didn’t keep bringing up issues from several decades ago. As on various television networks, the programming or content often does more harm than good.
Although some sites focus on race, religion or other specific aspects of a person, I think they are helpful in the fact that people can feel a part of something because the people on these sites share something in common. On these sites, they can be assured that this specific trait will be accepted and this can help people become more comfortable with who they are and what aspects of themselves they identify with.
I absolutely agree with you about how people form certain groups online in order to speak to people that are similar to them. Hate groups and other forms of groups are always popping up online and they release their identities about how they perceive life and their surroundings. Every identity is not accepted nor complimented due to people who feel they are obligated to against others. Physical identity also plays a role in how people perceive others and that should never be the case.