CNN: if you’re white, you may be guilty of “Digital Blackface”

[Fuffy 1,049]

1 hour ago, PunkTheFunk said:

I know everyone wants to laugh this off but I see some truth in this. The gifs you use online are meant to be an extension of your own expressions and emotions. Using a gif of a POC is not inherently wrong but it becomes a problem when that gif usage begins to caricaturize a segment of the population. I find gifs of women, especially black women tend to be prevalent on these forums, especially in contexts of humor or anger, and I often wonder if there is some underlying bias there. I am not saying I am not guilty of this because I use plenty of gifs too. Just something to think about.

I understand and mostly agree with this logic, it’s likely an innocent but hidden bias because of black people being portrayed as comedic when society was segregated, though I’d argue some of that bias is reversed if the poster uses it with an empowering intent (e.g. powerful black woman gifs). 

But I’m wondering, would a similar logic apply to other uses of gifs we use? I know we there's redneck stereotypes, which tend to be a negative caricature of working class white people in rural communities, which are less economical affluent. 

In a more extreme case, I guess even Karen memes could be considered sexist and ageist because another other demographic wouldn’t be stereotyped for making a complaint. It’s especially relevant since we’re having discussions about menopause struggles and aging in women.

[Controversiaga 16,098]

The title of this thread is missing a key word that the person used, “MAY” 

[MAC 1,963]

[Emvee 8,831]

Not gonna lie, I personally made a conscious effort to dial back the “black” gifs because we definitely had this conversation in like 2015. Although this is valid conversation to have, you can tell CNN has done this to stir the pot. They are a corporate news organization whose main motive is profit. 
 

It is IRREFUTABLE that having this discourse in 2023 will add to the idea that the “woke mob” is out to police your every thought and it will get people arguing. Ultimately, it will result in more Republicans in congress, the Supreme Court, or state governments; and more real life, government censoring and banning taking place. 

[badfaith 5,716]

This is so fcking stupid. Who else thinks of race when picking a gif when it's purpose is to provide a visual for an expression 

[Guest]

I agree with this mostly but a also see a huge problem in discussing this bc a majority of white people will just take this for another reason to instrumentalize that kind of discussion. So I'm quite hesitant to make it a bigger issue because there are certainly topics that need more attention right now...

I think it's similar to algorithms that recommend new content on YouTube for example. If you are not logged in and visit the main YouTube page your feed probably looks like most of the feeds in that region. And it's quite scary. Because most of these recommendations move around "funny" topics like prank videos or entertainment like music videos, car reviews, or video games etc. And what they all have in common is that they are misogynistic af. Thumbnails with female bodies in bikinis besides cars or "meme" videos like Prisha Paytras that completely fall into the "hysteric woman" stereotype are quite popular and it's honestly very concerning that companies have created these algorithms that use these kind of misogynistic, racist and often homophobic stereotypical content just because it is somehow the most lucrative. Otherwise these recommendations would look differently

 

I think these sort of internet contents work extremely close to our bias' so I can totally see why people start to look into it and question the popular use of black bodies in memes that are mostly used by a white demographic

[Yuko 1,010]

I found this video interesting. I think it's kinda nuanced and isn't one of those (I hate to use this word but) "wokescold" type discussions... it's not like we're capable of restricting ourselves and everyone else about using said gifs. A discussion of stereotypes more or less runs on the same thread regardless of any medium.

 

I do, however, absolutely hate and am repulsed by the tone of ragebait titles and find it sad what the atmosphere of these discussions has come to.

[weed 78,957]

I mean.. I am aware of this and I try to not use WOC in a large portion of my response gifs for that reason. I think they're right in a sense. No one is trying to ATTACK you and make you ASHAMED, it's just something to think about. 

[ProfessionalClown 10,647]

The way even a lot of hardcore activists don’t even believe this 

[Debithius 6,056]

Guys...come on...when I thought America couldnt get more ridiculous...

 

 

[Roughhouse Dandy 13,614]

The #CancelAllCaucasians2k23 initiative is going swimmingly.

(In all seriousness, look beyond the bait headline and a lot of the points presented are valid.)

[Neroneau 1,017]

CNN recycling a BBC piece from like 4-5 years ago ? 

[tomdsgn 1,916]

4 hours ago, Borisapillar said:

I’m crying 😂

There could honestly not have been a more perfect gif

[4BLAiNE 1,393]

Headlines and articles like this only serve to keep us even more divided. It’s the exact opposite effect of what someone writing the article will claim to want achieve. So tired of it. 

[Bat 6,162]

8 minutes ago, 4BLAiNE said:

Headlines and articles like this only serve to keep us even more divided. It’s the exact opposite effect of what someone writing the article will claim to want achieve. So tired of it. 

THIS

Media (right and left) are equally part of the racism problem in America, they need to take a look in the mirror and question themselves ''Does this contribute to the fight in a helpful manner?''