Race Switch

Second Life is a virtual world, a world apart from reality, yet many things seem to carry over.  For example, there is still a currency in Second Life just as there is one in real life.  But do the intangible and sociological borders carry over as well?  This question is difficult to answer as a whole, but one may examine one sociological aspect at a time.  In this particular study, I examined whether or not race issues carry over from real life to Second Life.  My study, however, was twofold.  I studied Second Life racism in places where diversity is common as well as where most people are of the same race and ethnicity.

When approaching this subject, I must admit that I did have an initial bias.  I thought that in places where most people are of the same ethnicity, there would be more prejudice against someone of an obviously different ethnicity or race than their own.  For this reason, this is where I started my research.  I teleported to Plaka, Greece in order to start observing people's reactions.  Greece is a country where 98% of the citizens are ethnically Greek.  Also, the virtual version of Greece in Second Life is a very tight-nit community.  Everybody knows everybody else, and it is not common for others to visit because almost all of the conversation is in Greek.  For this reason, I thought that if they came into contact with someone who is black, they would be a little uncomfortable.  I visited this virtual site several different times and came into contact with different avatars at different times.  I firstly tried just standing or sitting around without saying anything and observing the conversation.  I figured they would assume that since I am black I do not understand Greek so they may talk about me in Greek through the local chat.  After observing the conversation for around thirty seconds or so without having them say anything about me, some avatars greeted me.  What I found interesting is that they greeted me in Greek, though they also knew English.  They did not assume that because my avatar is black I do not know Greek.  I responded and we eventually got into a descent conversation which was not affected at all by my race.  

Me sitting and chatting in virtual Greece.

My next stop was Dublin, Ireland.  Dublin has visitors who live outside of Ireland in first life, so the diversity is somewhat greater than that of virtual Greece.  I stopped to talk to the first person whom I encountered.  I first greeted the avatar, who very politely reciprocated my greeting.  Next, I asked him if he knew of a good place from where I can get some freebies.  He responded by giving me at least ten freebies himself. I continued the conversation, observing what he says and how he acts. Not once did he do or say anything that could be construed as racist.  After making normal conversation for a while, I revealed to him that I am a university student researching racism in Second Life.  He thought the subject was very interesting and noted that the virtual Dublin community is not very racist in his experience.  After asking him if I could take a photograph of him, he said yes and then suggested that I take another photograph of his other avatar.  He then transformed into an animal and then said something incredibly interesting.  He said that if I am looking to see how people react differently based on the appearance of an avatar, that I should try changing species.  He then noted that women avatars seem to be much more welcoming to an animal avatar than do male avatars.

Me in virtual Dublin chatting with a local about racism.

My research next brought me to Lilly's Irish Pub, which is an Irish Pub but apart from the virtual Dublin simulation.  I began my conversation how I began all of the other ones, with basic salutations.  I observed the conversation and there was nothing at all that was derogatory in any way.  Everyone was very friendly and when I asked where I can get some freebies the responded with suggestions.   I then told everyone that I was conducting in-world research on Second Life about racism and they also were all interested in the subject.  After some more interesting discussion, the conversation eventually came to an end and I teleported out of this simulation and into my next location for research.

Me dancing in Lilly's Irish Pub

My final stop while conducting in-world research on racism in Second Life was at the Cup of Goodness Cafe and Bakery.  This is where the most interesting conversation took place.  I again started with salutations and asking where I could get some good freebies while enjoying a virtual doughnut.  This was again reciprocated politely and helpfully.  As the conversation progressed, I revealed to the other avatars that I am a university student researching racism in Second Life.  Everybody responded excitedly with sincere interest.  One avatar quickly stated, "of course there is racism in Second Life, there is racism everywhere."  Another person said that he researches virtual worlds at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, and that there is a PhD candidate at the university currently researching virtual worlds.  All were interested in reading the work of my class.  The conversation eventually came to an end and we all went our separate ways.  

Me talking with the regulars at the Cup of Goodness Cafe and Bakery

After researching racism in Second Life in at least four different virtual locations, it is evident that there is not a strong presence of racism in the virtual realm, or at least in Second Life.  Others may say otherwise, such as the avatar that I met at the Cup of Goodness Cafe and Bakery.  I, however, encountered nothing that could in any way be construed as racist or an act of racism.  The jury seems to still be out on the topic, given the differences in opinion and experience of myself and the avatar at Cup of Goodness.  Perhaps only more time in-world will tell.

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