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[not psycho]

On the one hand, we have the fact that "racist" is not, and should not be, a protected class. And the fact that expressing yourself in public, by your own name, on the internet should not be a magic shield to protect you from the nature of your expressions. Nor should expressing yourself on the radio, television, etc. If not for the problem mentioned in the next paragraph, there would be zero problem with notifying employers.

On the other hand, we have the special pitfalls of internet detectives. By special pitfalls, I mean this: when the police first investigate an accusation, they don't have to broadcast it to the world. If they discover early it is a mistake, they never need broadcast it. Internet detectives broadcast with impunity, early, and without legal standards. This could result in innocent people being identified with name and location and threatened, fired, expelled, harassed, terrified, or worse.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but here are some ideas:

1. Have a government agency whose job includes investigating these things. Then the early evidence could be sent to them instead of broadcasted to the world, and the accused would have a chance to defend themself before being outed. This would work well, except that it costs money. Most people in the US would probably not consider it worth it.

2. Notify an employer, but do not give the information to the general public. The employer is in a position to ask their employee personally about the issue, while the general public may threaten/harass without the facts.

3. No change. It is incumbent on social media to police their own accounts, false or mistaken accusations can happen elsewhere too, and in any case if a mistake is made it can likely be rectified.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

So, "Stating X thing has consequences" isn't a lesson they'd be learning? Just let them be? Huh..

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Maybe it's a mental Illness?

Is willful ignorance a mental illness?

 

[iMax]

Nobody is getting "hacked" (and that's a laughable assertion anyway; if your post isn't redirecting me to some product, you didn't get hacked). Did you not look at any of the Facebook pictures in this thread? Every one has their employer right there. I think you're doing an about-face because Big Bad Bishop is here.

I did look at them but didn't see any commentary about how they were linked, so it was a reasonable conclusion to come to. Plus, the discussion widened to the ethics of such things which was why I spoke to the topic of doxxing and social engineering. I haven't changed face either but nice try

 

[heliosRAzi]

Oh yeah, they know it's wrong for sure. I just don't think they know how wrong it is and to what degree. Surely they don't know the implications of saying such things, otherwise they wouldn't say them in public if they knew their job was at risk. Mind you, they might just be incredibly stupid.

They know how wrong it is. If not, with them getting fired, they know it's very wrong.

 

[iMax]

They know how wrong it is. If not, with them getting fired, they know it's very wrong.

I hope you're right. I remain unconvinced.

 

[Byakuya769]

Is willful ignorance a mental illness?

Haha.

Hey, I'm just trying to find more ways to not hold racists accountable.

 

[Novocaine]

I like that people are being held accountable for what they say on the internet, but I hate that internet vigilantes are the ones doing it. I also wonder if they had said something that was just as disgusting yet wasn't racist, would they still have lost their jobs? Probably not, and that's a problem.

 

[iMax]

Haha.

Hey, I'm just trying to find more ways to not hold racists accountable.

They're absolutely accountable.

 

[Lothar]

What if a racist couldn't afford to get their kids christmas presents this year because they were fired? Would you still want them to be fired then?

 

[iMax]

What if a racist couldn't afford to get their kids christmas presents this year because they were fired? Would you still want them to be fired then?

Irrelevant. That's on the employee.

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

What if a racist couldn't afford to get their kids christmas presents this year because they were fired? Would you still want them to be fired then?

Is there a point to these posts?

 

[Foaloal]

I'm sure somebody's already shared similar sentiments in the 2,000 or so posts in this thread, but my initial reaction is that I like this.

It really annoys me seeing people spew whatever hatred they're too afraid to say in real life all over the internet. I see hatred towards all people of any race, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle, political affiliation, hobby, etc.

We all know that the vast majority of these people would never dare to say these things out loud in public, but for some reason they decide it's cool to have their little power trips on the internet where they can say "those bad things they can't say in real life".

Personally, I don't think there's any excuse for these people. Even if you want to try to pull the "they're not really racist, they're just acting that way on the internet!" card, I still think if you're acting that way on the internet you're not the kind of person I want to talk to, work with, or interact with at all.

The only thing I don't like is that "vigilante justice" can be a slippery slope. But, personally, I don't think I've ever posted anything on the internet that would cost me a job so I don't really see this ever affecting me.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

What if a racist couldn't afford to get their kids christmas presents this year because they were fired? Would you still want them to be fired then?

...Then they shouldn't have been racist shit heads?

Oh wait, I forgot.

 

[iMax]

I'm sure somebody's already shared similar sentiments in the 2,000 or so posts in this thread, but my initial reaction is that I like this.

It really annoys me seeing people spew whatever hatred they're too afraid to say in real life all over the internet. I see hatred towards all people of any race, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle, political affiliation, hobby, etc.

We all know that the vast majority of these people would never dare to say these things out loud in public, but for some reason they decide it's cool to have their little power trips on the internet where they can say "those bad things they can't say in real life".

Personally, I don't think there's any excuse for these people. Even if you want to try to pull the "they're not really racist, they're just acting that way on the internet!" card, I still think if you're acting that way on the internet you're not the kind of person I want to talk to, work with, or interact with at all.

The only thing I don't like is that "vigilante justice" can be a slippery slope. But, personally, I don't think I've ever posted anything on the internet that would cost me a job so I don't really see this ever affecting me.

That's sorta one of the things I was trying to get at. If they truly show legitimate remorse for what they've done, that could be indicative of their own ignorance to their social privacy online and what is (and what isn't) viewable in the public domain.

 

[JasonS]

What if a racist couldn't afford to get their kids christmas presents this year because they were fired? Would you still want them to be fired then?

Yes.

 

[Bold One]

I'm sure somebody's already shared similar sentiments in the 2,000 or so posts in this thread, but my initial reaction is that I like this.

It really annoys me seeing people spew whatever hatred they're too afraid to say in real life all over the internet. I see hatred towards all people of any race, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle, political affiliation, hobby, etc.

We all know that the vast majority of these people would never dare to say these things out loud in public, but for some reason they decide it's cool to have their little power trips on the internet where they can say "those bad things they can't say in real life".

Personally, I don't think there's any excuse for these people. Even if you want to try to pull the "they're not really racist, they're just acting that way on the internet!" card, I still think if you're acting that way on the internet you're not the kind of person I want to talk to, work with, or interact with at all.

The only thing I don't like is that "vigilante justice" can be a slippery slope. But, personally, I don't think I've ever posted anything on the internet that would cost me a job so I don't really see this ever affecting me.

you were doing really well.

 

[Lothar]

Is there a point to these posts?

A person losing their job affects more than that person. Do you really need that spelled out for you?

 

[Ties]

What if a racist couldn't afford to get their kids christmas presents this year because they were fired? Would you still want them to be fired then?

yes

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

A person losing their job affects more than that person. Do you really need that spelled out for you?

Thats on them. Don't shit the blame for that persons horribly dated thinking.

 

[Foaloal]

you were doing really well.

I'm genuinely curious what was wrong with thinking vigilante justice can easily get out of control?

I was trying to say there's a point where you can go too far. For instance, what if all of our bosses were told we spend too much time posting on a videogame-based internet forum and that that should be a reason to consider firing us?

 

[Enzom21]

A person losing their job affects more than that person. Do you really need that spelled out for you?

So people who do shitty things shouldn't face consequences because they might not be able to buy their kids Christmas gifts?

 

[gmilh]

"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

I don't agree at all with these racists... but I agree even less on the fact that a corporation should be let able to control its employees' freedom of speech in their free time.
I mean really? Do we really want to give to the corporations this kind of power?
I'm a big fan of capitalism, but this to me seems just ridiculous.

 

[iMax]

A person losing their job affects more than that person. Do you really need that spelled out for you?

That responsibility falls solely on the employee.

 

[heliosRAzi]

I'm genuinely curious what was wrong with thinking vigilante justice can easily get out of control?

It's not really vigilante justice when the people that are getting fired are posting under their real names and posting their work place.

 

[iMax]

"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

I don't agree at all with these racists... but I agree even less on the fact that a corporation should be let able to control its employees' freedom of speech in their free time.
I mean really? Do we really want to give to the corporations this kind of power?
I'm a big fan of capitalism, but this to me seems just ridiculous.

That quote doesn't really apply in these cases. They do have the right to say it. Just like companies have the right to fire them for it.

 

[Darksol]

I'm fine with people who wear their racism on their sleeves, and I'm fine with companies who choose not to employ them.

 

[Foaloal]

It's not really vigilante justice when the people that are getting fired are posting under their real names and posting their work place.

Ah. I guess I might not fully understand the meaning of that term then. My apologies if I misused it.

Is there a point to these posts?

Sometimes playing devil's advocate can lead to an interesting discussion.

In this case though, there are tons of people who get laid off for reasons that are not really their fault (company goes bankrupt or downsizes, etc.), and their families still have to deal with the financial blow that entails. In the case where your own actions directly lead to losing your job, you have nobody to blame except for yourself thinking that it was "safe" to be a racist on the internet. And your kids probably have bigger issues than not getting christmas presents if their parents are racists who think their actions on the internet are anonymous when they are posted under their own names.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

A person losing their job affects more than that person. Do you really need that spelled out for you?

Maybe they should think about their families over the giddy thrill of being shrilly racist on accounts with their place of employment visible

Of course, you found blackface Ray Rice costumes hilarious, so maybe the thrill means more to you

 

[JC Lately]

So people who do shitty things shouldn't face consequences because they might not be able to buy their kids food?

Fixed.

 

[Enzom21]

Fixed.

So people shouldn't face consequences because their actions might hurt their kids? So we shouldn't fire anyone for any reason? Or is racism a passable offense to you?

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Oh..the children..

 

[heliosRAzi]

So people shouldn't face consequences because their actions might hurt their kids? So we shouldn't fire anyone for any reason? Or is racism a passable offense to you?

Isn't there a Key and Peele skit about a guy using his kids as protection?

 

[Htown]

"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

I don't agree at all with these racists... but I agree even less on the fact that a corporation should be let able to control its employees' freedom of speech in their free time.
I mean really? Do we really want to give to the corporations this kind of power?
I'm a big fan of capitalism, but this to me seems just ridiculous.

 

[Dabanton]

Disturbing, but sadly not surprising to see so many people making excuses for racist dolts.

Frankly people really should know better. The fact some of these prats were arrogant enough to think they can post this stuff on social media and not expect repercussions is shocking enough. More scary is the sad reality that their colleagues, friends and family in most cases seem to lack the courage or backbone to actually confront them, says much about how modern racism is sadly implicitly agreed with and is alive and well.

It's all good crying puppy dog tears and 'apologising' after they get called out and in some cases fired. But If their families were really of any concern they'd be setting a decent example, not writing about "niggers" on social media.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Disturbing, but sadly not surprising to see so many people making excuses for racist dolts.

Frankly people really should know better. The fact some of these prats were arrogant enough to think they can post this stuff on social media and not expect repercussions is shocking enough. More scary is the sad reality that their colleagues, friends and family in most cases seem to lack the courage or backbone to actually confront them, says much about how modern racism is sadly implicitly agreed with and is alive and well.

It's all good crying puppy dog tears and 'apologising' after they get called out and in some cases fired. But If their families were really of any concern they'd be setting a decent example, not writing about "niggers" on social media.

 

[Enzom21]

Isn't there a Key and Peele skit about a guy using his kids as protection?

It was a baby suit. In here it is just another reason to excuse racism.

 

[JC Lately]

So people shouldn't face consequences because their actions might hurt their kids? So we shouldn't fire anyone for any reason? Or is racism a passable offense to you?

Just intejecting some honesty in your post. If you feel this doxing is appropriate response to the racist words of these individuals, then by all means do so/support others who do.
But lets not kid ourselves into thinking the only repercussion to doing so will be little Suzy doesn’t get a shiny new copy of Captain Toad for Christmas.

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

Can we stop using the word doxxing? A lot of you don't seem to know what it means, or you wouldn't be calling pulling of information from Facebook and Twitter doxxing

 

[Enzom21]

Just intejecting some honesty in your post. If you feel this doxing is appropriate response to the racist words of these individuals, then by all means do so/support others who do.
But lets not kid ourselves into thinking the only repercussion to doing so will be little Suzy doesn’t get a shiny new copy of Captain Toad for Christmas.

You're not providing anything meaningful with your little edit. What you're doing is trying to use kids as a way to excuse racism.

 

[JC Lately]

Can we stop using the word doxxing? A lot of you don't seem to know what it means, or you wouldn't be calling pulling of information from Facebook and Twitter doxxing

Fair enough. Was never sure of the meaning anyway.

 

[Foaloal]

Like I said earlier, I like the idea of people being more accountable for what they post on the internet (especially if they don't even try to post it anonymously)

But I find it a little offputting that the writer of this blog feels the need to mention the race of the racists who are getting fired:

Just wanted to share another lil victory of racist white people getting fired

White folks need to learn there’s consequences to their disgusting behavior and beliefs.

Some might say I'm just seeing things, but you do have to admit that that blog has only targeted white on black racism, and doesn't seem very concerned about other forms of racism or hate speech.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Like I said earlier, I like the idea of people being more accountable for what they post on the internet (especially if they don't even try to post it anonymously)

But I find it a little offputting that the writer of this blog feels the need to mention the race of the racists who are getting fired:





Some might say I'm just seeing things, but you do have to admit that that blog has only targeted white on black racism, and doesn't seem very concerned about other forms of racism or hate speech.

You can start your own if you want

 

[SillyEskimo]

The last thing I want to see is racists go into hiding. I like the ones that wear their hatred proud on their sleeve because then they're easy to avoid.

 

[JC Lately]

You're not providing anything meaningful with your little edit. What you're doing is trying to use kids as a way to excuse racism.

And you’re saying its permissible to punish kids for the racism of their parents.
If you’re okay with that, then there is nothing I can do or say to sway your mind. Just have the intellectual honesty to say you’re okay with that.

 

[ASIS]

A person being fired because of their personality is not abnormal. But on the other hand people should be able to separate their work life from their personal life no? I mean, if these people said these things on work then yeah I have no problem… Otherwise I don't know. I'm confused.

And you’re saying its permissible to punish kids for the racism of their parents.
If you’re okay with that, then there is nothing I can do or say to sway your mind. Just have the intellectual honesty to say you’re okay with that.

What about employees who don't have kids though? Do they really have less rights than parents?

 

[not psycho]

Fixed.

You should consider the employer's point of view, and the points of view of those the employee affects, as well.

If I'm an employer do I want a racist working for me? A racist cop? A racist teacher? A racist high up enough to decide promotions? It would be bad for me, and bad for anyone they are in a position to harm with their racism. That would certainly outweigh the racist's (and yes, their kids) self interest.

At the same time, an employer is not forced to fire them. If the job in question has no way to be used for racist purposes, maybe it's better to leave the racist there. It's not a cut and dry situation. Racist cop, I want millions of phone calls, pressure until he is gone. Racist garbage man, I'd personally prefer a notification but no further pressure, because it doesn't seem like the kind of job that would do damage.

 

[Foaloal]

You can start your own if you want

Indeed.

I could see it being extremely time consuming though, as there is literally more hate speech on the internet than I could possibly read, let alone track down the identities of the posters and alert their employers about.

Either way I still hope that maybe some of those people posting all that vitriol will hear about this and perhaps think twice before posting hate.

The last thing I want to see is racists go into hiding. I like the ones that wear their hatred proud on their sleeve because then they're easy to avoid.

This is a good point. It would be sad if all that came out of this was that a few people lost their jobs, and a lot more racists realized they could continue posting their hate consequence free if they just do it more anonymously.

 

[Enzom21]

And you’re saying its permissible to punish kids for the racism of their parents.
If you’re okay with that, then there is nothing I can do or say to sway your mind. Just have the intellectual honesty to say you’re okay with that.

You're saying people with kids should not have to face consequences for their actions, right? What do you deem a fireable offense? Remember now, these people have kids.

 

[M3d10n]

I don't think anyone can seriously argue it's the victim's responsibility to educate the aggressor but I believe some form of educational intervention, no matter from whom, is the only long-term solution to ironing out the issue, at least internally.

I struggle to believe that these people truly understand the context of what they're saying. If they did, they surely wouldn't say it. As I speculated earlier, I think a large degree of this stems from desensitisation from a person's upbringing, for example, if their parents are highly racist at home, children may perceive it to be normal behaviour—and without any education to the contrary, won't know any better.

You keep parroting this nearly every page, but what do you propose exactly to be done with these adults? Internment camps?