My panel for SXSWi 2009: “Can the Afrosphere Survive the Age of Obama?”
I am soooo excited! My panel for South by Southwest Interactive 2009 has been approved!
Overview:
The presidency of Barack Obama will have far-reaching ramifications for politics, society, and even black identity in America. Websites such as BlackWeb2.0.com, the Blackbird browser, and a myriad of bloggers both target and ally themselves with the black blogosphere, often referred to as the “Afrosphere”. The question must be asked: In the new Age of Obama, will an “afro-centric web” begin to fade into, simply, “the web”?
10 Questions to be covered during the panel:
- Will the expected shift in racial relations under Obama’s presidency lead to a shift in awareness about racial identity on the web?
- Many people reacted to the release of the Blackbird browser with “why?”. Does anyone feel like that about the so-called “Afrosphere”?
- What trends do you see with the presence of african-americans on the web if any?
- What are your hopes for the future of the Afrosphere?
- Has being known as “black” professional per se been harmful/helpful in your career in the web industry or otherwise? Both? Neither?
- People in various industries have often hoped to be known for who they are and what they do, without their racial identity “coloring” people’s perceptions. On the web, one can remain anonymous if desired, and only judged by the quality of the work they do. What do you see as the pros and cons of approach?
- Certainly there will always be a need for building and maintaining “community”. Do you anticipate a future shift or change in virtual communities?
- Do you feel that over the course of time, that culturally, the need to identify with being black is not as strong?
- Many folks like to point out that african-americans are not a monolithic group. However, on the web (as in real life), the irony is that there is a “community” while there is no single community. Would anyone like to expand on that idea?
- Let’s fast forward 8-10 years into the future. Certainly, there will be seismic shifts with what the web is and how it is being used that no one can accurately predict. Despite that, do you have any speculations on where culture, community, and racial identity will be at that time? Dystopic view? Utopic view?
The panel is scheduled to be on Monday, 16 March 2009, although the time slot is yet unknown.
I have some really great panelists lined up so far:
- Liz Burr, of lizburr.com – blogger and social media genius
- Markus Robinson, Managing Editor at BlackWeb20.com
- Yvette Ferry, of Ferry and Company
Cecily Walker is a potential panelist, and I am still waiting to hear back from two others as well.
I hope to generate a great discussion!
19 Comments
Cecily
January 14, 2009I really hope I can participate in some way – even if only as a “sixth man” from the front row.
Denise
January 14, 2009I do too! You will have to work your powers of persuasion. If not, then we can put our heads together to cook up something for next year!
j. brotherlove
January 14, 2009Great questions! My only concern is that 10 detailed questions are probably too many for an hour-long panel (the time flies by). You may be lucky to get through five of these.
Denise
January 14, 2009I was required to come up with 10 questions for the panel submission. I agree, though, 10 is indeed ambitious. We will just have to see how it goes when the time comes.
caroline
January 15, 2009wow. you’re not tackling any big issues, eh?
would love to be a fly on the wall for this one…
Denise
January 15, 2009You’ve got to give the people what they want!
In terms of being a fly on the wall, I will see about getting this taped, so that I can put up on my site later. SXSWi often has podcasts of panels as well. I will keep you posted!
Villager
January 15, 2009Congratulations on your panel discussion plans. I won’t be in attendance … but I look forward to seeing outcome of your discussion.
The afrosphere will exist as long as people of African descent have blogs. That is a definitional truth.
Groups, such as The AfroSpear, may evolve over time. However, it is my view that Obama won’t erase issues that impact on the Black community and thus The AfroSpear and other groups of Black bloggers will continue to have issues to discuss with our online communities.
peace, Villager
Denise
January 16, 2009Hi Villager!
Thanks for the congrats. I wish you could be there, I would love to have your feedback for the panel discussion!
Your points are all well-taken. For me, the point of the panel will not be what the final answer is (if there even is one), but the conversation and thinking that is generated by it, and potentially even the growth of community through it.
I do feel, however, that the change of leadership in the country will have profound, far-reaching effects on society on every level over time. Many changes will be subtle and not readily apparent, but I think in 10 years, we may look back and realize that the the ripple effect that this presidency will cause. At least, that is my hope.
R. Mullen
January 18, 2009I am SOOOO glad to have found our site, courtesy of Black and Hispanic Women in Web Design. Wish I had know about it, I’d lend a hand. I’ve been “working the web” since 1994, and I must say, it’s been lonely. But, not anymore! PLEASE film the panel discussion for those who can’t make it! More later about some of my projects [I’m polishing up a PHP platform to manage about 150 sites from one hosting account], but I’d love to get hooked into your community!
Denise
January 18, 2009Regina, thanks for all of your wonderful words, compliments, and enthusiasm. We (your people – that is, web geeks of color) are indeed here and in force. I wish you could come to South by Southwest Interactive, you would love meeting the community and getting tapped in and connected to it!
Because you are the second to request it, I will be sure to get a recording made of the panel, and then I will definitely post it to the website. If you’ve got the rss subscription, you should be set.
I hope I can continue to write posts that you enjoy. I promise that I will get back on track and write more.
Oh Joy, Oh Joy, Oh Happiness! | Regina Mullen.com
January 18, 2009[…] How awesome is that? AND, found out about an event that I’d LOVE to attend, were it closer: SWSWi2009, thanks to the blog of Denise Jacobs. […]
Fredric
January 21, 2009Congrats. I’ll be there and will try to stream as best I can. I’ll probably also bring my tripod and get my massive memory card.
Can’t wait to meet you!
Denise
January 21, 2009That would be wonderful! Thanks for helping in the barn-raising. 🙂
Looking forward to meeting you, too. I will contact you directly so we can meet at the beginning of the conference, instead of waiting until the day of the panel.
Saba
January 23, 2009The global elements of an “Afrosphere” must be addressed in order to achieve success and progress. There must be mutual respect of Africans by Africans (first) – on every level – both on the continent and in the Diaspora.
Without this, I do not see much advancement in the context of a current and post Obama era.
Erica
February 2, 2009I am so looking forward to this. I can tell already it’s gonna be one of the highlights of SXSWi ’09 for me.
Denise, you’ve already done a wonderful job with this! Looking forward to seeing you again as well. 🙂
Denise
February 3, 2009Thanks Erica! I am looking forward to it as well. I think it will be a great discussion and a wonderful community-builder.
Tina aka laidbackchick
February 16, 2009Sounds like a great panel, would have loved to have been a part of. Might be there to check it out,haven’t finalized yet. Good luck
Denise
February 27, 2009I hope you can make it to SXSWi, Tina. It would be great to meet you and for you to all of the other black geeks. 🙂
SXSWi 2009 – Studio SX Interview on “Afrosphere” panel : denisejacobs.com
April 17, 2010[…] enthused earlier about my panel being accepted to South by Southwest (something that I have been wanting for years […]