Conference explores culture, technology

With virtual reality, the Internet and robotic surgery revolutionizing the world, some critics say people must pay close attention to the ramifications of this new technology on race relations. In a recent conference sponsored by Penn's Center for the Study of Black Literature and Culture, some of those critics gathered to predict how the technology of the new millennium will change society's cultural outlook. The conference "Virtual Nation: Tec(know)logy, Culture and 'Colored' Citizenship at Century's End" brought together three keynote speakers: Duke University Professor George Elliot Clark, Professor Austin Clark of Ontario's Guelph University and Kali Tal, a professor at the University of Arizona. The roundtable discussion, held last Tuesday and Wednesday, was moderated by Penn English Professor Houston Baker, who directs the center. Clark began his address by stating that African Americans must always remember their heritage in order to find their place in a high-technology world. Knowledge is free for all people to pursue and should not be governed by race or societal status, he added. "In spite of the growing underclass, African Americans can still profit from the increase in technology and engineering," Clark said. "Their future definitely is bright." Tal focused specifically on the Internet, stating that it has the power to liberate one's gender or race. Specifically, on-line "chat rooms" can twist race relations by allowing users to pretend to be white, black or a member of any other group. Finally, Austin Clark gave a speech on how technology can act as an oppressive force for black people, since it often tends to destroy artifacts of the past. Most of the 12 audience members present were Penn faculty members or members of the CSBLAC. "It was a very eye-opening experience, and it changed my my conceptions of how I understand race and the impact of technology on race," English graduate student Adam Hotek noted. The conference marked the 10th anniversary of the founding of the CSBLAC, which has sponsored numerous speakers and classes dealing with black culture in America. Recently, the center has experienced a lack of funding from the School of Arts and Sciences, according to Baker. He blamed the shortfall on the revolving door of top SAS administrators in recent years, particularly in regards to SAS deans. Current SAS Dean Samuel Preston was appointed in December. Baker, however, said he still has high hopes for the future. "In the last couple of years, the pot of the center has been dampened," Baker said. "It has to do with the transition of the dean and the provost. If you want to launch a developmental initiative for a program like ours, you need someone with a vision, and I think we are ready to go with Sam Preston."