Racialization of technology use in stock images (Pt. 2)

In order to broaden my search so that I could have something that I could actually analyze (not that the absence is not worth discussion... it definitely warrants greater analysis) I altered my search. Instead of including the 'futuristic' term, I decided to look at images that were just tagged with the term 'interface.' 

This search did provide images of Black and African American models. However the visual differences between the images of white models and Black models are startling:

'Interface' (Caucasian)

'Interface' (Black)

Aside from the clear quantitative difference in amount of representation offered, there are distinct and consistent stylistic differences.

Some of these differences include:

• Black models are in images that don't actually even involve visible technology/interface
• Black models are shown as objects of white interaction
• Images including Black models have no background of any sort (vs. almost all images of white models have a background of some sort, frequently a sleek minimalist futuristic space)
• Black models are not engaging with awesome imaginary futuristic interfaces (vs. most white models with awesome futuristic interface)
• No images implied to be from the point of view of a Black subject (vs. several implying a white point of view)
• No images implying Black selection (vs. most indicating white selection)
• Black models in static poses that imply passivity (vs. white models in somewhat active poses, portrayed mostly through the act of selection)
• Black models are frequently smiling and looking directly at the camera (vs. no images of eye contact from white models, and only tight lipped smiles)
• Angles of the images of Black models suggest a camera is level with, or slightly above model (vs. images of white models from below, or with head tilted up implying a lower angle)

So what does this mean? That African American or Black models are not adequately represented in futuristic stock imagery? Definitely. That images of African American or Black models engaging with interfaces are qualitatively different from images of Caucasian or white models? Definitely. What does it mean that commercial imagery exhibits this type of racialization of technology usage? 

I think that this preliminary investigation adds great evidence to support Nakamura's conclusion about depictions of African Americans engaging with futuristic technology do not actually constitute an increased subjecthood. Like The Matrix Trilogy, there are few (or zero?) depictions of Black people as subjects interacting with an interface. Instead they are relegated to marginalized positions that are supposed to be positive, but are still distinctly outside and a diminishment of the depictions of white technology use. I hope to expand on this for a conference presentation soon!