Being called to account ...

November 11, 2012 11:12 AM

In the days following the reelection of President Obama many people have been called out by the media and members of the public for posting racial slurs and even threats against him. Jezebel (and other websites) have publicly identified a number of teenage students and contacted their schools to bring notice to their 'tweets' and Facebook postings. Some are asking: "Should teenagers have their racist election tweets in their Google results for life?"

In related news: A California woman, Denis Heilms, is currently being investigated by the Secret Service for calling President Obama a 'nigger' and suggesting he be assassinated on her Facebook page. She has also been fired by her employer.

posted by ericb (8 comments total)

Mapping racist Tweets: where post-election hate came from.
posted by ericb at 11:12 AM on November 11, 2012

There are thugs and idiots on all sides. Some people really *are* to stupid to be engaged. I'd be a lot more impressed by this effort if it had taken place prior to election day and aimed at exposing all who promote violence in the name of politics. Twitchy.com is the place to see plenty of examples of this horrid behavior on the part of left-leaning folks...and they're just as guilty of pretending that it's only the "other side" who does this.
posted by Infinity_8 at 11:15 AM on November 11, 2012

The GOP is supposed to be the party of personal responsibility, yes?

Well then. Time to take responsibility.
posted by The Whelk at 11:17 AM on November 11, 2012 [7 favorites]

The racism in this nation will NEVER go away. It goes back to our founding days, and has continued on since. The day is coming when there will be substantial numbers of mixed people--Hispanics, Asians, Blacks intermarrying and producing blended children, but then there will be hatred of those types of children. I am no Nate Silver but so it will be
posted by Postroad at 11:19 AM on November 11, 2012

"Should teenagers have their racist election tweets in their Google results for life?"

I think explaining it would make a fascinating interview question. It wouldn't per se stop me from hiring someone ever, but I'd want really want to hear about why they posted it, and how they felt about it now.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:19 AM on November 11, 2012 [3 favorites]

Welcome to the 21st C. Technology has changed the social rules, and now you really do have a permanent record. No, you don't get a vote in the matter.

Ready? Set? ADAPT!
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 11:20 AM on November 11, 2012 [2 favorites]

I think explaining it would make a fascinating interview question. It wouldn't per se stop me from hiring someone ever, but I'd want really want to hear about why they posted it, and how they felt about it now.

Those kids will never make it to interviews. They'll get weeded out well before that point.
posted by winna at 11:22 AM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

It's a good thing no racists ever make it to middle or upper management, or else they might be able to use these "permanent records" to weed out people who don't think the way they do.
posted by chavenet at 11:22 AM on November 11, 2012 [2 favorites]