Accepting the fact that web logs (e.g. blogz) are not a passing fad but a viable medium for the exchange of ideas, where does the element of race or ethnicity play in these exchanges?
Ever since the early 1800s, the black press has been portraying alternative images of African American life, setting the issues of African Americans on the public's agenda and operating as a catalyst for change. These news outlets were the medium of exchange of ideas.
Even as hundreds of these newspapers still play this role today, the World Wide Web is a 21st century medium of exchange of ideas. Free of charge and easy to launch, Web logs have become one of the most democratic means of exchange on the World WIde Web.
Often these exchanges are over ideas that directly involve, impact or influence African-Americans. What, then, does the African-American participant in these exchanges offer that is DIFFERENT from what might be found elsewhere.
I suggest TEN (10) such things that black bloggers can and should bring to the table in their involvement in the blogosphere:
1. Black Bloggers bring a perspective colored by their own experience as a member of a historically under-represented group.
2. Black Bloggers challenge the stereotypes about the "black" point of view.
3. Black Bloggers set the stage for a rational exchange of ideas.
4. Black Bloggers promote the under-promoted within our communities.
5. Black Bloggers position the issues of the day in the context of history and offer depth where it might not otherwise exist.
6. Black Bloggers strive for the utmost in accuracy in anything they post.
7. Black Bloggers reflect the fairness of those who acknowledge multiple sides of an issue or experience while championing their own posittion.
8. Black Bloggers exercise restraint when passing along information not properly vetted or verified for its legitimacy.
9. Black Bloggers carry the spirit of black Press whenever they post.
10. Black Bloggers see the educational role they play as paramount to their practice.
DEVELOPED by Dr. George L. Daniels
July 5, 2008
1 comment:
Interesting post. Yes I agree, Black blogs can fill a necessary gap in the mainstream news, media, communications, and entertainment industries. There are things that I find in Black blogs that I can't find anywhere else. The write about things that I am interested in, not just about things that the mainstream wants me to be concerned about (i.e., whats going on with Blonde celebrities).
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