Abstract
In this article I focus on the dynamics of interracial electronic communication by studying the asynchronous posts made by 75 students from across the country to an online Affirmative Action/Diversity discussion forum. Drawing from my textual analysis of the posts and from my interviews with the most active participants—five students from four institutions—I examine the misunderstandings that arose in this interracial discussion, situating the causes and consequences of the students’ discourse within both the local context of the electronic forum and within wider cultural patterns. I show that flaming cannot be easily identified as destructive communication because posts that seem to be violent attacks intended to shut down dialogue may be attempts by writers to educate other, and posts that do not seem to be violent attacks may actually perpetuate an “othering” that is more destructive to interracial communication than online shouting. I conclude by suggesting strategies for facilitating more productive electronic discussions about race and racism.
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