Black UM

The "Black UM" Group Chat

You can write a introduction here

Table of Contents

Conclusion

What is the "Black UM" group chat?

Comfort of Intercommunication

Digital vs Physical

Code-switching

This is the caption that describes the group chat as a whole. It outlines the main goal that it pursues and serves as the backbone of its existence

The "Black UM" Group Chat

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Uses

How many members does the group chat have?

It is a group chat in GroupMe that is composed of Black students at UMiami.

"Safe space for students of color at University of Miami"

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Click to learn more about Swales

Intercommunition serves as the base that this discourse community is built on as group chats are made for a large number of people to talk to each other

WHAT IS INTERCOMMUNICATION?

As a result, the connections that Black students make among themselves are valuable to them; not only becuase they are often sparse, but also because they allow them to linguistically and emotionally live in a way that is comfortable for Black people. These connections serve as a break . . .

Comfort of Intercommunication

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"without any means of intercommunication of any kind, there is no real community" -John Swales

More information about UM demographics

-Douglas Guiffrida and Kathryn Douthit

“from the White world and a place where they felt comfortable letting their guards down to dress, talk, and socialize in ways that were comfortable and familiar without fear of perpetuating negative Black stereotypes”

In attending a non-HBCU like the University of Miami, Black students are often surrounded by non-Black students. In this. it can be difficult for them to express themselves in the truest ways possible, due to society's lesser perception of Blackness, whether in language, action, culture, etc.

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Language Why? Effect

Switching language to become more palatable in a specific environment

Code-switching for Black Students

In the "Black UM" group chat, however, Black students do not need to code-switch as everyone in it knows and understands Black Language(BL).

This screenshot displays the usage of Black Language and the lack of judgement that ensues, creating a safe space.

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Digital vs Physical

PARTICIPATORY MECHANISMS

This screenshot is a representation of a specific criteria of a discourse community:

In addition to the communication that occurs within the group chat, members make efforts to occupy the same physical spaces as well.

EXCEPT IT IS NOT LIMITED AT ALL

Facial expressions Body Language Tone & Intonation

As a result, the impact of the discourse community on the Black student body may be limited due to its existence as simply a group chat . . .

-Lee et al.

Click to enlarge

“weak ties rather than stronger ties . . . limited . . . by physical proximity"

Despite its prominence, digital communication is seen as inferior to physical communication because it lacks real connection.

Conclusion

“I’d think there was something missing to really unite the black community on campus”-freshman

• use BL indiscriminantly in a space where it is understood

• exist in a space where the pressure of a White-dominated society does not exist

• create in-person activities to strenghthen the sparsely-populated Black community on campus

Even if just a group chat, "Black UM" is essential for Black comfort on campus It allows Black students to:

Considering the small size of the Black student body in comparison to HBCUs, it is important for Black students to connect and the "Black UM" group chat is a simple and easy way to facilitate that connection. Even after only being on campus for a semester, freshmen feel the impact of the group chat. One freshman stated:

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thank you!

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