Monday, July 13, 2009

Disheartened and confused

I don't know if everyone else has been following this story, but I have.

There are so many things I find incredible and disheartening about it. Full disclosure, ya'll know I'm a liberally minded little monkey. I'll admit that I indulged in my share of "dumb bush" jokes. I think that it is kinda natural to poke at the perceived weaknesses of the political types you disagree with or didn't vote for.

However, you'd think that someone on the "national stage" would be just a little more aware of the scope of social media and how rapidly something can get shot around the world. Also, you'd think that even if the people involved were die hard racists, they would also be savvy enough to realize that public endorsement of racism will bite you end the end.

But what is even more disturbing is that rather than back pedal and damage control the situation, the woman at the center of this controversy "de-friended" the people who had the courage to speak up and call out the racism. She also continued to encourage and condone the openly racist speak of her friend. And, then blamed everyone else on the controversy. Frankly, the woman who pointed out the origin of the term "coon" was acting as your friend . . . much more than the guy who followed up the "coon" comment with the threat issued to all persons of color.

And, I'm disappointed that even after the smoke and dust cleared after the election, this group of GOPers who should be on the cutting edge of social media and understanding the shifts necessary to bring their agenda back . . . have opted for thumping their chests and trying to "restore" the failed past.

1 comment:

LibraryGhost said...

Blargh. It hadn't happened across my attention until I saw it here.

What were (are) they thinking!? Or aren't they?