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Surname 1 Name Instructor Course Date “Why America is Self-Segregating” Self-segregation is a contentious issue in the United States. The article by Danah Boyd ‘Why America is Self-Segregating’ explores the topic of self-segregation in the US. Here, she analyses why this issue important and what it says about the American society. Self-segregation is studied by the author through various ways. Boyd’s exploration of these interconnected facets of self-segregation allows us to dissect this phenomenon's underlying causes and multifaceted consequences. This essay's core thesis maintains that the weakening heterogeneity of interpersonal bonds imperils the robustness of America's democratic spirit and social fabric in a meaningful manner. As Boyd meticulously dissects, the tools and platforms designed to unite people and facilitate dialogue have, paradoxically, fueled divisions and weakened social bonds (Boyd, 387). The echo chambers created by technology, encapsulated in the "filter bubble" concept, are diminishing the opportunities for individuals to engage with differing perspectives, reinforcing ideological polarization, and limiting the depth of their social connections. In such a fractured climate, where meaningful exchanges are hindered, and accord proves elusive, informed choice suffers - components all core to democracy's sound functioning. Through this, Boyd lays down his assessment of the role of technology. She paves the way for further examination of self-segregation's ripple effect, unveiling the vital need for tackling this problem to preserve the essence of American democracy.

Surname 2 The conversation about the involvement of technology, particularly online forums like Facebook, in boosting segregation brings up the intricacies of this generation. At first sight, these platforms were created to unite people who could not meet face-to-face. The result is that instead of bringing people together, “they only promote the existing divides within society and hinder cohesion as a nation” (Boyd, 388). The filter bubble, which Eli Pariser described, aggravates this phenomenon because it makes user content personalized based on their beliefs and likes. Although some may perceive personalization as a user-friendly concept, giving people information they already agree with inadvertently encourages self-segregation. This self- segregation in the digital area creates significant ramifications, causing ideological polarization in the US. Individuals with constant exposure to reflective material are less likely to come across opposing ideas and dialog with people with contrasting views (White et al., 538). This, however, results in further polarization in public discourse as people need help comprehending views from outside their echo chambers. The paradox lies in the fact that we live in a world that allows ideas and information to be freely available. Still, in some instances, these instruments facilitate an insular intellectual and social experience. However, several important matters relating to how technology shapes public conversation come into question with this dynamic. In particular, there is a need for proactive action to counter the self-segregation patterns created by these online spaces. According to Danah Boyd, one essential constituent of self-segregation is the privatization of the military. Contrary to conventional military establishments with a long tradition of actively addressing such issues as breaking down obstacles and promoting greater diversity, commercial organizations functioning in a military field have no particular social engineering aims (Boyd, 388). These military men belong to different ethnics but they have one

Surname 3 common belief. However, soldiers fighting in a time of war have to work together as one team for instance to develop that feeling of belonging while belonging to one group. The transformation toward privatization in the military has been one of the major factors that have brought the transformation within the structures and values systems of the body components of the armed forces. Economic incentives and efficiency dictate the hiring practices of private contractors, and they usually dismiss those who cannot cooperate during the shortest time possible. However, this emphasis on short-term success tends to disregard the longer-term benefits to diverse groups and the need for teamwork barriers demolition. Consequently, the military diversification project, which is pivotal and supports diversity in America, has weakened, causing one of its main pillars for promoting ethnic and racial balance to crumble (Maniece, pg. 1). In addition, this effect goes beyond the bounds of purely military issues. It influences job possibilities, professional retraining, and prospects in different fields for people with jobs and those in the middle strata. The impacts of this weakening of diversity within the military on the general health of American society are far-reaching and consequently affect the overall health of American democracy and civil society. American schools have been like special mini-societies that gather together people with different origins to live, study, and communicate together since the beginning of time. They were expected to be exposed to numerous opinions, attitudes, and experiences promoting open- mindedness and compassion. In modern times, however, the setting on a college campus is no longer the same. In her article, Danah Boyd's findings emphasize that some students already apply new modern technologies like Facebook for segmentation during their college arrival. However, this shift has far-reaching repercussions for tomorrow's American society (Boyd, pg.

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Surname 4 389). As a result, incoming college students can communicate with the people they will live and study with even before the semester begins in an increasingly digital-connected era. Due to this, students have been forced to search for equally-minded friends, creating virtual communities catering to their established beliefs and interests. Although it seems natural and desirable for individuals in a community to seek out fellow minds, it undermines the essence of having diversity in college communities. This leads to children failing to gain something from people who see things differently or have a unique story, which ultimately inhibits development and prevents rich cultural exchanges. The consequences of "self-segregation" are not only restricted to universities. These attitudes and behaviors that the students develop while in college remain with them as they graduate and join the workforce and the larger society. Such a component brings broader implications for society as some have yet to be taught how to mix with people from diverse nationalities and thus find engaging in this aspect challenging (Walker, pg. 35). The social segregation that starts in college may make it harder for people to find areas of agreement and build a united nation as they create different communities that will grow even more distant with time. Undoubtedly, diversity forms an integral component of learning and sociability. It gives people a glimpse into other viewpoints, experiences, and ways of life, which broadens one's horizon, making them more intellectually open-minded. Nonetheless, according to Danah Boyd, accepting diversity is not without its difficulties, which many people struggle with. Unfortunately, people seek safety in familiar and friendly places, thus searching for a "culturally fit" environment. Hidden comfort which attracts homogeneous environments. Human beings feel comfortable among those with similar values, beliefs, and cultures. These kinds of settings make

Surname 5 it unlikely for conflicts or misinterpretations to occur; this provides a feeling of safety among people in such surroundings (Mariana, pg. 534). Nevertheless, in trying to create such safe places, people accidentally reduce their interaction with various opinions that enrich life, develop their personalities, and make them understand real diversity. Segregation is the self-separation of people due to existing differences, which further divides a country into sections where each part feels more united with each other than with others from a different section. Moreover, technology has further exacerbated these challenges. Boyd's essay highlights how personalized algorithms and social media platforms allow users to create echo chambers of their beliefs. People can quickly mute or block those with differing opinions, reinforcing their existing worldview. By filtering information to cater only to personal interests, this customized environment risks distorting one's perspective and insulating them from realities that are varied, intricate, and, at times, challenging to confront (Boyd, pg. 390). The discomfort and emotional challenges associated with engaging with diverse viewpoints are significant hurdles to overcome. Engaging in discussions with those who hold opposing beliefs can be mentally taxing and emotionally draining. Cultivating an understanding of views beyond our comfort requires we meet discomfort with empathy, patience, and openness to perspectives outside our usual experience. While challenges can divide those who retreat into isolation, unity emerges by facing adversity together through understanding across differences. In conclusion, Danah Boyd's article "Why America is Self-Segregating" underscores the consequences of self-segregation for American democracy and social cohesion. The erosion of diverse social connections, fueled by technology and changes in military and collegiate structures, threatens the nation's social fabric. Thus, to address this issue, the essay suggests the importance of building new infrastructures for connection that encourage. The goal is to bring

Surname 6 different Americans to work together voluntarily to overcome the challenges brought about by diversity and ultimately bind them permanently together. The essay suggests that because the public seems to be moving towards more auto segregation, it is one of the issues that should be taken care of about the future of American society and democracy.

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Surname 7 Works Cited Boyd, Danah. "Why America is Self-Segregating." Medium, 5 Jan. 2017 points.datasociety.net/why-america-is-self-segregating-d881a39273ab. Accessed 1 May 2020 Maniece, Christopher A. Staff Perceptions of Students’ Racial Self-Segregating Behaviors in a Middle School. Diss. Edgewood College, 2021. https://www.proquest.com/openview/84f9cce99e228e3393c844cc87ec3a56/1?pq- origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Mariana Shimpi, Priya, and Sabrina Zirkel. "One hundred and fifty years of “the Chinese question”: An intergroup relations perspective on immigration and globalization." Journal of Social Issues 68.3 (2012): 534-558. https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2012.01762.x Walker, Kyle E. "Political segregation of the metropolis: Spatial sorting by partisan voting in metropolitan Minneapolis–St Paul." City & Community 12.1 (2013): 35-55. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cico.12003 White, Rita, Lee Jerome, and P. Cunningham. "Self-segregating social groups in a super-diverse university." Identities and Citizenship Education: Controversy, Crisis and Challenges (2013): 538-51. http://www.cicea.eu/docs/PROCEEDINGS/2013/2013_51_White_Jerome_Self- segregating%20social%20groups%20in%20a%20super-diverse%20university.pdf

3705492.edited (1)

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