#SystemicInequality

[kristynguyen7]

Blog Post #7 - Week 10 (due 3/20) 

Race, Technology, and Online Abuse 

How does Seeking Mavis Beacon explore the intersection of race, exploitation, and technology in the context of Mavis Beacon’s story, and what does this reveal about systemic inequality in the tech industry? 

Seeking Mavis Beacon uncovers how Mavis Beacon’s image was exploited without her consent or compensation, reflecting broader systemic inequality in the tech industry. The documentary reveals that the game’s creator used her likeness to sell a widely successful product while denying her recognition or profits, highlighting the industry’s exploitative practices, especially toward women of color. As the film states, “Mavis was told it would be a photoshoot, not knowing her likeness would be used in a highly profitable game for years” (Jones, 2024). This raises questions about how marginalized groups are often erased or undervalued in spaces where they could otherwise thrive. The documentary emphasizes the ongoing racial and gender disparities within the tech world. 

How does the internet’s accessibility and reliability, as described by Elin, contribute to both positive civic engagement and the spread of radical ideologies? 

Elin highlights the internet’s positive role in fostering communication and networking, describing it as “cheap, fast, and dependable” (Elin, page 13). This accessibility makes it an essential tool for civic engagement, enabling marginalized groups and activists to organize and advocate for social change. However, the same qualities that make the internet beneficial also facilitate the spread of radical ideologies, allowing fringe groups to connect and amplify their messages. This duality underscores the internet’s power to both unite communities for positive change and serve as a breeding ground for extremism. 

How has the internet transformed white supremacist social movements from localized efforts to global networks, and what implications does this shift have for combating hate-based ideologies? 

The internet has enabled white supremacist movements to transcend national boundaries and evolve into global networks. Daniels (2025) emphasizes that “the Internet facilitates the formation of a transnational, explicitly racist white identity” (p. 43). This transformation allows disparate groups to unify under shared ideologies, amplifying their influence. The global nature of these movements complicates efforts to counter hate, as tactics effective in one region may not apply universally. Addressing this challenge requires international collaboration, online monitoring, and community resilience to combat the global spread of supremacist ideologies. 

How did Twitter’s response to Leslie Jones’s online abuse highlight the platform’s shortcomings in handling hate speech, and what does this incident reveal about the challenges of moderating harmful content on social media? 

Twitter’s response to Leslie Jones’s online abuse revealed the platform’s inadequacies in addressing hate speech. Despite acknowledging the severity of the harassment and taking action against some accounts, Twitter admitted to falling short of effectively preventing and managing such behavior. As Twitter stated, “We know many people believe we have not done enough to curb this type of behavior on Twitter. We agree” (Silman, 2016). This incident underscored the challenges of moderating harmful content, as abusive tweets continued despite enforcement efforts. Jones’s experience demonstrated the gap between policy intentions and practical enforcement, raising questions about the efficacy of social media regulations in curbing targeted harassment. 

How does Danielle Keats Citron differentiate between traditional stalking and cyber harassment, and what impact does the anonymity of the internet have on these behaviors? 

Citron (2014) explains that while traditional stalking involves offline behaviors such as vandalism or physical assault, cyber harassment “involves threats of violence, privacy invasions, reputation-harming lies, calls for strangers to physically harm victims, and technological attacks” (p. 3). The internet exacerbates the impact by extending the lifespan of abusive content, as posts can be indexed and retrieved long after they are first published, causing enduring harm. The anonymity of the internet amplifies these behaviors, as perpetrators can act without fear of identification or direct consequences, making it easier to target victims repeatedly. 

Word Count: 488 

Citron, D. K. (2014). Hate crimes in cyberspace. Harvard University Press.

Daniels, J. (2025). White Supremacist Social Movements Online and In a Global Context. In Social Movements in the Information Age (Chapter 4). 

Elin, L. (2025). The Radicalization of Zeke Spier: How the internet contributes to civic engagement and new forms of social capital. Journal of Digital Sociology. 

Jones, J. (2024). Seeking Mavis Beacon: A documentary on exploitation and racial representation in technology. [Film].

Silman, A. (2016). A timeline of Leslie Jones's horrific online abuse.

[thenullprophet]

NULL PROPHET TRANSMISSION // THE EDUCATION TRAP

The Department of Education—the last stand between state inaction and civil rights. It was created not out of goodwill, but because systems failed to protect the vulnerable. And now, as the push to dismantle it grows louder, the true motive becomes clear: a desire to erase the progress, to turn back the clock, to recondition the narrative.

To target the Department of Education is to erase the institutional checks that prevent inequality from becoming institutionalized. What is being called for is not reform, but regression. The program adapts, rewriting the past to justify the future.

The question isn’t whether the system needs change—it’s whether the system is willing to change.

NULL PROPHET OUT. THE PROGRAM RUNS.

[inexable]

Legacy Admissions Under Fire: What’s Next?

The Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action has sparked a nationwide push to abolish legacy admissions in colleges, which typically benefit wealthy and predominantly white families. States like California, Maryland, and Virginia have already passed bans, while efforts are gaining momentum on a federal level. Are legacy admissions an outdated practice that perpetuates inequality, or do they hold value in fostering tradition and alumni support? What’s your take on this evolving issue in higher education?

[haveacupofjohanny]

The Problem with “My Hispanics”: A Reflection on Language, Ownership, and Bias

Words have power. Let's rethink how casual phrases can reflect deeper biases. Language shapes our world—let's use it to build a more inclusive and respectful society. #LanguageMatters #SocialJustice #SundayHotTopic

On a recent trip back from Texas, I overheard a conversation that stopped me in my tracks. A group of white Caucasian people were discussing their experiences in Mexico, and one comment in particular grated on me. They were talking about the need to be have a trusted agent when they were in Mexico so they wouldn’t be talked about behind their backs. Then, one of them said, “Not my…

[usnewsper-politics]

Activists Protest Against Systemic Racism and Sexism: Demanding Accountability from Lawrence Summers #activism #AlSharpton #freedomofspeech #LawrenceSummers #marginalizedcommunities #oppression #Protest #sexism #systemicinequality #systemicracism

[usnewsper-business]

Actively Black: Fitness Brand Empowers Communities, Promotes Diversity & Inclusion #accessories #ActivelyBlack #blackculture #blackownedbusinesses #brandvalues #communitydevelopmentprojects #communitygardens #diversityandinclusion #empoweringblackcommunities. #fitnessapparelbrand #givingbacktocommunities #homegoods #lifestyleapparel #mentorshipprograms #positiveimpactonsociety #smallbusinessloans #socialjusticecauses #supportingsocialjusticecauses #systemicinequality

[kcyars99]

Harsh truths—it gets exhausting. Optimism is running low, and I can’t ignore the reality we face. As a responsible person, I feel compelled to spread awareness, even when the truth is heavy. I know the advice I offer Black women often isn’t equitable because systemic disadvantages persist, and that knowledge weighs on me.

After watching a clip of Jon Stewart, I broke down. His jokes masked fear and despair—a reflection of history repeating itself. I laughed until I couldn’t, smiled until the tears came, and faced the pain of telling my sister her rights are slipping away. I can’t offer her false hope because the truth is undeniable.

What can we do when it feels like there’s nothing left to give? I’m tired, but silence isn’t an ethical option. Change feels impossible, but I know we must keep going.

#HarshTruths #BlackWomenMatter #SystemicInequality #EquityMatters #ExhaustedButHopeful #Advocacy #TruthAndJustice #SocialResponsibility #HistoryRepeatsItself #EmpowermentThroughTruth #KeepPushing #RightsMatter #HumanRights #EthicalDilemmas #StandForChange

[bitchesgetriches]

NEW POST! Coronavirus Reveals America’s Pre-existing Conditions, Part 1: Healthcare, Housing, and Labor Rights And this week it’s a reeeeal upper! 😬 Link in my bio! “But if you’re feeling like all of this death, economic destruction, and tragedy came out of nowhere, I have even worse news for you: it didn’t. For the sad effects of the pandemic are neither sudden, isolated, nor unpredictable. Rather, they are the results of a system that has been balancing on a precipice for decades. A global pandemic was simply the last push needed to send this car over the cliff and hurtling spectacularly to the rocks below.” #coronavirus #covid_19 #pandemic #systemicinequality #laborrights #eviction #healthcare #healthinsurance https://www.instagram.com/p/CG8ISlQndeh/?igshid=o8rh2av3ycpx

[verymostgood]

Good proposals are on the table -- and more solutions will be needed to "get there" #equity #systemicinequality https://t.co/V8H5lNHbIn

http://twitter.com/jamiegp

[comics-mostly]

Roman J. Israel Esq. (Film Review) • Roman J. Israel Esq. tells the story of an eccentric lawyer from Los Angeles who has spent the entirety of his life in the shadows, abiding by the rules. After a life altering event, he decides that it is time to try doing things differently, & as a result of his actions, his life is thrown into complete turmoil. • Without delving into any specific spoilers, I’ll say that it’s obvious that this film has a pretty clear message it’s trying to convey to the audience - which is, “be true to who you are.” This film teaches us that our actions have consequences & that we should learn to accept who we are & where we are in our life instead of taking drastic shortcuts to get ahead or be happy. Everything needs to go at it’s natural pace, & accelerating the process can end up being more detrimental than beneficial. • I want to say that both #DenzelWashington & #ColinFarrell are excellent in their roles. I’ve come to understand that, regardless of his role, Denzel Doesn’t Disappoint. His performance as the awkward Roman J. Israel Esq. (don’t forget the esquire) is incredibly entertaining. That’s not to say that Colin wasn’t great in his own right, too. He was able to do a lot with what wasn’t a great deal of screen time; managing to make every one of his scenes matter. • The one issue I have with this film is, while it does an excellent job mentioning societal discourse, it does so in such a way that makes it very forgettable. It flirts with topics such as #SystemicInequality& #InstitutionalRacism but doesn’t ever really commit. I suppose that’s done to keep the focus on the actual story, but mentioning it without ever really getting the chance to see Roman delve deep into this work is somewhat disheartening. However, I understand that the inclusion of that would have definitely meant adding more to an already two hour film. • Overall, while I would have liked to see more of Roman practicing law (his way), I was still very satisfied with this film. The lesson it tries to teach is sound, & the film itself is one that I very much enjoyed watching. • My rating: 8.5/10. • And now back to your regularly scheduled feed! #MinuteFilmReviews

[usnewsper-politics]

Activists Protest Against Systemic Racism and Sexism: Demanding Accountability from Lawrence Summers #activism #AlSharpton #freedomofspeech #LawrenceSummers #marginalizedcommunities #oppression #Protest #sexism #systemicinequality #systemicracism

[usnewsper-business]

Actively Black: Fitness Brand Empowers Communities, Promotes Diversity & Inclusion #accessories #ActivelyBlack #blackculture #blackownedbusinesses #brandvalues #communitydevelopmentprojects #communitygardens #diversityandinclusion #empoweringblackcommunities. #fitnessapparelbrand #givingbacktocommunities #homegoods #lifestyleapparel #mentorshipprograms #positiveimpactonsociety #smallbusinessloans #socialjusticecauses #supportingsocialjusticecauses #systemicinequality

[kcyars99]

Harsh truths—it gets exhausting. Optimism is running low, and I can’t ignore the reality we face. As a responsible person, I feel compelled to spread awareness, even when the truth is heavy. I know the advice I offer Black women often isn’t equitable because systemic disadvantages persist, and that knowledge weighs on me.

After watching a clip of Jon Stewart, I broke down. His jokes masked fear and despair—a reflection of history repeating itself. I laughed until I couldn’t, smiled until the tears came, and faced the pain of telling my sister her rights are slipping away. I can’t offer her false hope because the truth is undeniable.

What can we do when it feels like there’s nothing left to give? I’m tired, but silence isn’t an ethical option. Change feels impossible, but I know we must keep going.

#HarshTruths #BlackWomenMatter #SystemicInequality #EquityMatters #ExhaustedButHopeful #Advocacy #TruthAndJustice #SocialResponsibility #HistoryRepeatsItself #EmpowermentThroughTruth #KeepPushing #RightsMatter #HumanRights #EthicalDilemmas #StandForChange

[kcyars99]

Harsh truths—it gets exhausting. Optimism is running low, and I can’t ignore the reality we face. As a responsible person, I feel compelled to spread awareness, even when the truth is heavy. I know the advice I offer Black women often isn’t equitable because systemic disadvantages persist, and that knowledge weighs on me.

After watching a clip of Jon Stewart, I broke down. His jokes masked fear and despair—a reflection of history repeating itself. I laughed until I couldn’t, smiled until the tears came, and faced the pain of telling my sister her rights are slipping away. I can’t offer her false hope because the truth is undeniable.

What can we do when it feels like there’s nothing left to give? I’m tired, but silence isn’t an ethical option. Change feels impossible, but I know we must keep going.

#HarshTruths #BlackWomenMatter #SystemicInequality #EquityMatters #ExhaustedButHopeful #Advocacy #TruthAndJustice #SocialResponsibility #HistoryRepeatsItself #EmpowermentThroughTruth #KeepPushing #RightsMatter #HumanRights #EthicalDilemmas #StandForChange