I think that there is an objective and subjective side to racism. If we look at RL laws from various countries that ban racial discrimination – which implement an international treaty – the conduct that is targeted is often described with reference to both aspects.

I recently had the experience in SL of coming across a black-skinned avatar in a social setting, standing apart from the rest of the avies in the location. My avie has a tanned appearance. I said hello and was ignored. Was the black-skinned avie a social researcher taking a count of how many times they were greeted? Did the person dislike lighter-skinned avies (reverse racism)? Were they busy? Were they rude? Who knows. If people don’t give many signals, it is often difficult to know exactly what motivates their actions.

I find Shui’s story interesting, where her avie remained exactly the same except for the tone of the skin coloration. Yes, as Cai says, people do (and should be free to) express a preference in who they socialize with. Shui’s story suggests that the amount of socializing she experienced was based on her avie’s coloration alone. Is that racism? Maybe, depending on what goes on in the head of the person who is doing the choosing.

GoSpeed’s not just one of Extropia’s favorite DJs (come to her set at 10 am SLT on the Solstice in Extropia Core!), she’s incredibly funny, kind, and superlatively beautiful – in or out of that RCAF uniform! I’m glad to see her getting the recognition she deserves!

I’d take racism on SL with a grain of salt, on SL, they’re just words that can be ignored, and on the internet and general. Most racism is just trolls trying to rouse up the masses.

Scream the word “n-gger” (stupid censorshit) at an infohub and watch the insanity ensue, for example.

I hear more racist remarks in real life just in casual conversation than I do online, oddly enough.

“Are you daft? That’s not racism at all, but just sexual preference. It’s like going to a gay club in a female shape and then saying that all the guys there are misogynists because they hardly hit on you.”

If you actually read the entire article, you’d see that GoSpeed was a frequent patron of that club – and was pretty much ignored until she changed skin tone.

Now, it may just be pure Sexual Preference …. but it may not as well. When an ENTIRE CLUB ignores you until such a time as you use a different skin tone …. that is a bit more than just Sexual Preference.

Personally? I’d probably hit on GoSpeed or any other female – real life as well – with a similar or slightly lighter skin tone. Why? Yes, it’s a sexual preference, one of many and not a requirement either. However, I do not totally ignore those that don’t fit the bill either. That is when it leaves the realm of Sexual Preference.

Are you daft? That’s not racism at all, but just sexual preference. It’s like going to a gay club in a female shape and then saying that all the guys there are misogynists because they hardly hit on you.

What is really hard to deal with is the subtle form or racism. I was asked to take part In a test and for a month I was Shui a fair skin red head. My shape was the same, my skin was same but much, much lighter and my hair was the exactly the same but red. I wore the same cloths just chose colours to match my new look. It was obvious form the beginning that white Shui was a hit. Dance clubs that dark Shui would sit all night sipping a drink, without being notice, became a place where white Shui had the pick of the litter. Maybe people just felt comfortable with a white girl or maybe black was not their colour, in any event they were initially judging me on the colour of my skin and that is racism! In the end I was happy to return to myself because if nothing else it is a quieter life.

I am not trying to paint all of Second Life as a cesspool of racism as it is not! I have made wonderful friends in world they range form furry fems to macho Gorean. They all share the similar traits of being kind and tolerant, much the same as good people in the world.

Finally, for what it is worth I have a small booty.

~Shui