digital rhetoric critical race theory and cyberspace j. santoy spring 2008

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Critical Race Theory andCyberspace

J. SantoySpring 2008

Spring 2008 J. Santoy 2

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Frameworks Critical Race TheoryTheories of Online

Space

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


6 tenets of CRT• Racism is endemic • Questions objectivity and

neutrality• Insists on contextual and

historical analysis • Acknowledges experience of POC • Interdisciplinary • Seeks to change physical

conditions

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


Saco’s Theories

of space created via

the use of digital technologies

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


Perceived

Conceived

Lived

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


PerceivedRealm of physical

experience produced and reproduced

through spatial practices and

movement

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


ConceivedRealm of mental

experience constructed as

representations of spaceSeek to order

movement

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


LivedPassively experienced; realm

of dominated spaces of

representationPossibility for Resistance and Rearticulation

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


Critical Race Theory

Theories of Online Space


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Scholarship

Race Digital

Technologies

Digital DivideAccess


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Digital Divide

No participation by POC in

Digital Rhetoricwithout access


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EBSCO

1477

Digital Divide


D

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ric Academic Search

PremierDD 1477 Economics 252 Gender

60Race 50 Culture 48

430428176

U. S.


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Who has access?

What type?

What factors influence access?


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strategies and programs

toprovide more

access?


D

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on Power dynamics

Computer Tech = Power


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Computer Tech = Power

Who has power?Who is being left out of the power

structure?How? What can we

do about it?

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


Power Dynamics

Race

Online Spaces

will work to keep

out of

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


Useful frame

Saco’s Theories

PerceivedConceived

Lived

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


Perceived spaces created via spatial

practices

Conceived spaces constructed as representations

Lived spaces dominated spaces of

representation

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


CRT #1Racism is endemic. Racism is occurring

onlineWhat does

examination of space(s) reveal?

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


Perceivedwhat interaction is

happening

understudiedRhetoric of DD

focuses on access not examining those who are

interacting

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


ConceivedAccess affects how digital technologies are conceived; the

perspective and experiences of POC not included during

design

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


LivedThe ongoing cost of

technological access makes it out

of reach for POC

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


lived

perceived

conceived

People of

color

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


CRT #2

No objectivity or neutrality.

How is design of space(s) not objective?

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


Conceivedrepresentation

constructed does not help POC when they

do get accessthe perspective and experiences of POC not included during

design


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Technologies by POC

Already restricted

Design limits the possibilities for

racial representation


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Design limitations


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Only acknowledges certain identity

constructions.

Design functions to demonstrate

what is privileged

and what is not deemed important.


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Check off the box

blackplanet.commigente.com

asian.com

which doesn’t acknowledge the

complex racial and ethnic identities


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lived

conceived

conceived

People of

color

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


LivedHow are lived

spaces affected?Despite inroads in

access no significant progress

has been made

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


CRT #4

Acknowledge experience of POC. How can the

perceived and conceived spaces

do this?

S

pace in

C

yb

ers

pace


lived

Resistance

POC

C

ult

ura

l W

ealt

h


a. Education / language / literacyb. Social

i. Networksii. Connections

c. Economici. money ii. material possessionsiii. Property

Digital Divide & rhetoric of deficiency

C

ult

ura

l W

ealt

h


perceived

Have

Education

LiteracyConnecti

onsMoney

Deficient

NO EducationLiteracy

NetworksMoney

Digital Divide & Cultural Capital

C

ult

ura

l W

ealt

h


Deficiency modelTeach them

functional literacy skills derived from

dominant definitions of

digital literacy.

C

riti

cal R

ace

Th

eory


CRT #6Seek improvement

of material conditions. How can our

research not support hegemony

and resist deficiency model ?


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As POC gain accessand

Use digital technologies

Study rhetorical strategies used and to what ends they

are used

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ult

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New Framework for Cultural Capital

•Aspirational

•Linguistic•Familial

•Navigational

•Social•Resistant

C

ult

ura

l W

ealt

h


New Framework• Aspirational maintains hopes

and dreams for the future; despite low outcomes; high expectations

• Linguistic• Familial• Navigational• Social• Resistant

C

ult

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h


• Aspirational• Linguistic intellectual and social

skills attained through communication, experience in more than one language or style

• Familial• Navigational• Social• Resistant

New Framework

C

ult

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• Aspirational• Linguistic• Familial cultural knowledge nurtured

among family carry sense of common history; commitment to community well being, concept of family more broad

• Navigational• Social• Resistant

New Framework

C

ult

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New Framework• Aspirational• Linguistic• Familial• Navigational skill of maneuvering

through social institutions not created with people of color in mind; social and phychological; critical navigational skills to maneuver though structure of inequity; acknowledges individual agency within institutional constraints and connects to social networks

• Social• Resistant

C

ult

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New Framework• Aspirational• Linguistic• Familial• Navigational• Social: Networks of people and

community resources; provide emotional and instrumental support to navigate through society’s institutions

• Resistant

C

ult

ura

l W

ealt

h


New Framework• Aspirational• Linguistic• Familial• Navigational• Social• Resistant--Knowledges and skills

fostered through oppositional behavior that challenge inequity; legacy of resistance to subordination

C

ult

ura

l W

ealt

h


Further Study

• Education– Language, literacy

• Social – Networks

• Economicmoney material possessionsProperty

• Aspirational• Linguistic• Familial• Navigational• Social• Resistant

digital rhetoric critical race theory and cyberspace j. santoy spring 2008

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