So I was having a conversation with my partner about hive and race, and how these two things impact our individual journeys. As much as I would like to turn a blind eye to these sorts of things (because I would rather focus on things I can positively impact), I am aware of their existence overtly or covertly).
One thing I have agreed on is that location and race are also social currencies which come into play when building social capital in a space like this. It impacts how you interact with the chain and how the chain (community) interacts with you.
For instance, if you are black and from (anywhere in) Africa, chances are your journey would be a bit different. This is mainly because those in positions of power on the chain have a reality that is quite different from yours and how they perceive you would be quite different from how your kinsman would perceive or relate with you. Perception bias.
For instance, there are people here who honestly think it is easier to live in this part of the world because it's supposedly cheaper. So they believe a $2-$3 upvote is life-changing, and will most likely want you to do the most to get it–I am speaking from a curator standpoint. It is almost similar to having foreign relatives. Some of them would have you do the most for the barest minimum because they know or think they know what it(whatever currency they are sending) is worth back home.
Obviously, not everyone here has such bias towards certain groups (and even those who do don't do so in a malicious way), but then most people here do not have agency or any real power to impact the chain. It all boils down to stake–which is your voice and most people from this part of the world do not have enough, neither are they willing to work collectively, they would rather settle to be bottom feeders.
If there is anything I have learnt in life it is that people will treat you how you portray yourself. Unfortunately, certain groups have a reputation that precedes them. It doesn't matter how much they familiarise themselves with other groups, that stereotype still exists, consciously or unconsciously.
Unlike most people, I do not clamour for equality because I am of the opinion that if I have to demand to be treated equally or as a human being who is contributing (in my little way) to the development of a global community then I have no agency.
Ultimately we are all equal on hive considering we all have the opportunity to earn, network and build. However, there is no such thing as equality in terms of outcome and it is not merit-based. This isn't something that is upsetting in any way or considered to be unfair because I know where I stand and I can say the same about my community. Even the most successful individual from my continent on this chain is still a bottom feeder like most of us, so why would I be offended? As long as we can have some luxuries/opportunities we can circumvent the negative narrative attached to our name, faces and skin, right?
I have no issues with someone seeing me as sub-human (it simply means I have no business or interest in your life or opinion), especially when we do not have a shared reality, but I do cringe when people like myself do not about these stereotypes or worst live up to them. This is because whatever affects my community impacts my life directly or indirectly. This is a truth I have come to accept. For instance, I know being Nigerian is going to present a challenge for me anywhere I go, however, I do not and will never have to prove my worth to anyone, especially in situations where it doesn't further my interest.
So in a nutshell, perception bias is a thing; racism is a thing; favouritism is a thing and I am of the opinion that we all, despite our differences need to learn how to navigate through things. It is all part of life's many struggles. I am learning to navigate through life aiming for what I want and not necessarily having an opinion or agenda on things (it is also a dilemma of some sort considering I make opinion pieces for a living).
