More than dichotomies of the Web
I’ve been thinking a lot about the topics of yesterday’s blog post, where I fretted about actions and reactions, and a whole bunch of other dichotemies. In the end, however, the thing that bothered me the most was from one of tech blogger Corvida’s recent posts:
Disappointments
To the people who agree with this bulls*** that [Loren Feldman's] doing, I feel sorry for you. However, I feel even worse for those that won’t take a stand against him. I’m disappointed with some parts of the tech community that have let him get this far [by publishing potentially offensive videos] let alone this popular without saying something intelligent to this moron to stop his progress thus far. It’s making me feel some sort of way about the tech community that sits in silence rather than speaking out because of fear. It’s saddening and disappointing on so many levels.
The thing I don’t like about this paragraph is that it creates a dichotomy (or trichotomy, I suppose):
- The people who chose to speak out against things that they find offensive
- The people who don’t find these things offensive, whether or not they chose to speak up
- The people who find these things offensive but are afraid to speak up.
Are these the only scenarios? Or is there a fourth:
4. The people who find these things offensive, but are practical or pragmatic enough to realize that best way to quiet some people is to ignore them.
Is group 4 brave? Afraid? Insensitive? Pragmatic? Callous? Smart? Ignorant? I guess that’s open to interpretation. Maybe 3 and 4 can coexist.
But here’s another thought to consider: where does it end? Are we now obligated to call out every person who makes objectionable material? Do we just focus on those people who criticize our own religion, ethnic groups, orientation, economic class, gender, or nationality? Do we take on the battles for those groups who are disadvantaged but that we don’t belong to? Do we take on some or all?
Personally, I’m just not geared up for that. I would not know where to draw the lines.
I will settle for trying to be civil and respectful towards the people that I encounter. Even that can be a challenge on some days. But it’s something within my power and sphere of influence. Otherwise, I can only handle those situations of which I have a good, detailed knowledge of the facts on all sides. It’s just too easy to make a mistake.
Sorry, readers, but that’s the way I see it. I mean no offense to anyone, especially Corvida, who followed her heart and logic and did what she thought was right in a given situation. But, again, where do we draw the lines?
Corvida:
“If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.”
I don't think there's anything wrong with people ignoring things. However, I don't think racism isn't something to be ignored because in doing so you only allow room for it to grow. It doesn't just die down because people choose to not talk about it. It sits, festers, and spreads.
However, I completely understand where you're going in this post. People don't have to say anything. Personally, I expected people to be more vocal. That's personally though. It doesn't mean they have to or that they're right and I'm wrong. However, it was a personal disappointment for me to not see more people speak up about the situation.
19 July 2008, 12:03 pmMark Dykeman:
Thanks for your comment, Corvida. I would like to suggest that I am not ignoring racism as a whole, but, even after a lot of thought, I have a somewhat different take on Feldman's work than you probably do. That's natural: we have different backgrounds, different experiences, and probably different views on a lot of things.
I think he hurt himself as much as anyone else with “Affirmative Action” and, though it was probably “in character” for him to make a video like that, it really hasn't done anyone any good. Do I think that video makes him a racist? I'm not ready to suggest that, but it does show that he's willing to shock people, offend, and insult them. I'd be more ready to believe that he was a racist if he refused to hire people based on race, ethnicity, etc. or if he was abusive to them in person, but who knows? I'm not comfortable with drawing conclusions based on a video, although I may be giving him the benefit of the doubt where it's not warranted.
I've elaborated on my thoughts further, so I've accomplished what I wanted to with this. But I will leave one closing thought: you've got a soapbox, you've got an audience, and you've got some cred. Have you given any thought as to how you might use these things to further acceptance, understanding, tolerance, and, most importantly, ways for communication and technology to help bridge the gaps between people?
19 July 2008, 12:30 pmCorvida:
I have but there are issues with this. I'd be more than happy to discuss it with you via email or the phone.
Great reply and thanks for providing me with this perspective of the situation.
22 July 2008, 3:45 pmMark Dykeman:
Drop me a line if you like: contact@broadcasting-brain.com.
25 July 2008, 8:38 pm