[DMEC] Essay Quotes: In/tolerance
While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of In/tolerance.
People can meet people and share their ideas without their race, religion, or physical attractiveness becoming a factor. This optional facelessness allows true freedom and interaction without bias.
Nick C., nik385 Doesburg, Teen Second Life:
I'm going to talk about Second Life, a massive online game where you can interact with friends!...There are a lot of gay and bi people, and unlike in real life, they aren't taunted by jerks and mean people very much. Me and a few friends hold little parties for everyone usually shunned by society, like nerds, gay/bi, disabled, and just about anyone else that feels bad about themselves.
Lucky S., Teen Second Life:
With racism all around us, inside and outside the internet, there is little we can do about it. But if every one person is a bit less raciest toward one another, maybe it will stop.
TheCoolLeader B., Teen Second Life:
From my experience people are more social and open when they are on the computer than when they are in real life.
Alisha D., Belpre, Ohio:
When you meet someone new on the computer you ask the usual: name, age, where they live. When race comes into the conversation some people won’t talk to you anymore because they don’t like what race or religion you are. This is pathetic really. Who are they to judge?
Adam S., Louisville, Kentucky:
People can be hurtful on the internet to women, calling them names and saying they have no opinion on important topics. The racist people on the internet may send mean messages... People are hurtful because they will never see the others they are being racist or sexist against… The only positive thing about gender or ethnicity on the internet is you can find a web page or chat room of people that are like you or who share the same interests as you.
Veroo E., Teen Second Life:
In real life, you're set with a certain gender, a certain skin color, and other things that you can't change. … When you're online, you are safe from prejudice. But when you leave it comes back. You might as well keep it with you when you're on an IM or in a game.
Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:
One of the greatest aspects of these [gaming] groups is that no one sees what the other people look like, but they respect each other in the same. These guys could have completely different backgrounds, different ethnicities, and totally different religions, but all of these variables dissolve when you are shooting virtual enemies as a team. Clans and guilds are microcosms of the business world in that people must learn to work together to achieve goals systematically.
Jackson K., Jackson Widget, Teen Second Life:
…there is little discrimination in the digital world.
