Banks Response

-Why focus on the intersection of race and technology? What do we learn that we would not have learned without a focus on race?

Technology is another way in which Whites and Blacks differ. Statistically, Whites have more access to technology, like computers, than Blacks. This helps underline White privilege and highlight the fact that Blacks might be using technology less or in different ways because they feel inferior. Strictly Black sites were created as an outlet for Blacks to share their thoughts and feelings on the matter and be in the majority. By just focusing on race, technology might be easily overlooked, in that the repercussions of ignorance are not immediately apparent.


-What is Banks hoping to argue/show through looking at BlackPlanet?

Banks is arguing that Blacks use BlackPlanet as a way to create/uphold/share their identity individually and as a whole (race). This is a place that Blacks are supposed to feel safe in sharing their thoughts and feelings, and they take comfort in knowing they can identify in at least one way to everyone on the site. He may also be arguing that BlackPlanet is proof that technology is a force to be reckoned with; it makes it incredibly easy to connect with other people, strangers even, thus making it easy to create a community.


-On page 83, Banks offers three things writing teachers can do in light of his findings.  Which of the three seems most important to you? Why?

I liked point #1 the most because it kinda tied in with the Buck piece. It reminds me of how we talked about social media is not as detrimental as we think it is to academic writing. Banks says, "we might worry far too much about the negative results of student behavior in recreational spaces and not enough about how they might benefit from them." This recreational space can be an outlet for sharing and expanding thoughts, ideas, and experiences which, like Banks says, opens up "multiple opportunities for feedback." Discussing topics like race and associated struggles is a great topic for recreational settings as opposed to educational/academic settings because it makes it seem like less of a chore or assignment and makes it seem more like real life, something they can relate about. I think this communication is crucial for maintaining a community.