|
|
After the Civil War, African-Americans were free from slavery, but they weren't free in other ways. They weren't free from bigotry or prejudice. They were looked down on and still treated as if they weren't as good as other people. They were made to use different drinking fountains, different public restrooms, different buses, and different restaurants. People called them disrespectful names.
Today, people who have just joined Whyville are free to go almost anywhere on the website and do almost anything they want to, but they aren't free in other ways. They aren't free from bigotry or prejudice. They are looked down on and treated as if they aren't as good as other Whyvillians. These new Whyvillians are made fun of, kicked out of rooms, and ignored. Whyvillians call them Newbs.
Recently I was trading in the Trading Post and without thinking I put a Dell Mini Laptop in my trading panel. I realized that I had put in a free item and I quickly took it out and apologized. Nevertheless, the other Whyvillian called me a Newb and left the room.
I have been on Whyville for years and just because I made a small mistake I was branded a Newb. I was very disappointed in Whyville's quick judgment on new people. We were all new at one point! We all new how it fells to be made fun of! We are making the same mistake we did decades ago by mistreating other people. This is a clear case of prejudice. Make a difference in Whyville and be nice to new people.
Editor's Note: The prejudice that faced African-Americans in the past and still face today is very disgusting, and unacceptable, but important to remember so we can learn for the future. This article is not meant to belittle the struggles that African-Americans have had to deal with, but rather to show that prejudice can be felt in real life or even online -- and is damaging and hurtful on all levels.
|
