Gayle King. Lisa Leslie. Snoop Dogg. Oprah Winfrey. A debacle.
Last week, Oprah Winfrey's bestie, Gayle King, conducted an interview with basketball star, Lisa Leslie, that turned sour when she brought up questions about rape charges against Kobe Bryant that he was acquitted for back in 2004.
Afterward the interview, celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Boosie Badazz took to social media to explain in no uncertain terms how upset they were about King's line of questioning. They used some deeply demeaning words to reveal how they felt about King's interview. In his post, Snoop called King a "Funky doghead b****," and told her to "Respect the family and back off b****, before we come get you."
Kobe fans weren't too pleased either. In fact, they were outraged and proved how much by posting death threats against King on social media. Their posts prompted King to hire security.
On the flip side of the coin, supporters of Gayle King also took to social media and television to express their support for King, their anger over the posts and the lack of attention from the media to respond to Snoop Dogg's comments. Oprah went on television to express that King is "not doing well," and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, took matters into her own hands and responded directly back at Snoop Dogg.
"Gayle King is one of the most principled, fair and tough journalists alive. Snoop, back the **** off. You come for @GayleKing, you come against an army. You will lose, and it won’t be pretty," she posted.
After this and other posts, the issue has taken a slight turn. Now, the anger is no longer about Kobe and King, but about black women being disrespected. Now, headlines are beaming: #IStandWithGayle to point to the notion that black women have to work twice as hard, but do not receive the support they should, and that the world today is heavily engulfed in a "dragging culture" where, when we don't agree with someone, we viciously drag their name/reputation through the proverbial mud on social media.
It's a complete mess.
Respectable people are showing sides of their character that is unbecoming. It just goes to show that people are still grieving and the magnitude of the impact that Kobe Bryant had on people's lives.
There's an adage: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt." But in this case, it seems the opposite. Words have hurt and are still hurting because people are airing those words on social media and television for all the world to see.
Last week, Oprah Winfrey's bestie, Gayle King, conducted an interview with basketball star, Lisa Leslie, that turned sour when she brought up questions about rape charges against Kobe Bryant that he was acquitted for back in 2004.
Afterward the interview, celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Boosie Badazz took to social media to explain in no uncertain terms how upset they were about King's line of questioning. They used some deeply demeaning words to reveal how they felt about King's interview. In his post, Snoop called King a "Funky doghead b****," and told her to "Respect the family and back off b****, before we come get you."
Kobe fans weren't too pleased either. In fact, they were outraged and proved how much by posting death threats against King on social media. Their posts prompted King to hire security.
On the flip side of the coin, supporters of Gayle King also took to social media and television to express their support for King, their anger over the posts and the lack of attention from the media to respond to Snoop Dogg's comments. Oprah went on television to express that King is "not doing well," and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, took matters into her own hands and responded directly back at Snoop Dogg.
"Gayle King is one of the most principled, fair and tough journalists alive. Snoop, back the **** off. You come for @GayleKing, you come against an army. You will lose, and it won’t be pretty," she posted.
After this and other posts, the issue has taken a slight turn. Now, the anger is no longer about Kobe and King, but about black women being disrespected. Now, headlines are beaming: #IStandWithGayle to point to the notion that black women have to work twice as hard, but do not receive the support they should, and that the world today is heavily engulfed in a "dragging culture" where, when we don't agree with someone, we viciously drag their name/reputation through the proverbial mud on social media.
It's a complete mess.
Respectable people are showing sides of their character that is unbecoming. It just goes to show that people are still grieving and the magnitude of the impact that Kobe Bryant had on people's lives.
There's an adage: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt." But in this case, it seems the opposite. Words have hurt and are still hurting because people are airing those words on social media and television for all the world to see.
Instructions: Read the commentary above. Click on the image to read the article and watch the social media clips that were mentioned. Once you've assessed the situation from many sides, respond to the following: What is the relationship between freedom to say/do as we choose and responsibility?
1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.
2. Your reply must be written in complete sentences.
3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student.
4. Make sure you reply with fidelity. Provide details about what you think.
5. No identical comments on different posts (i.e., "I agree" or "I disagree" or "I like your story."). Such comments will earn you a zero.
6. To post your reply, click on the word "Comment" in the top right hand corner or bottom left hand corner.
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.
WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.
Due Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST
If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.
1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.
2. Your reply must be written in complete sentences.
3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student.
4. Make sure you reply with fidelity. Provide details about what you think.
5. No identical comments on different posts (i.e., "I agree" or "I disagree" or "I like your story."). Such comments will earn you a zero.
6. To post your reply, click on the word "Comment" in the top right hand corner or bottom left hand corner.
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.
WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.
Due Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST
If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.
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