# Is internet shaming a good way to combat racism and bigotry? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082 "2017-05-07T19:39:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/21 "2017-05-07T23:26:59Z")
There’s a huge difference between shaming someone in person and immediately after they do something like littering and shaming someone anonymously online. ---
**Author:** ![Fredescu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/73ab20/32.png) [@Fredescu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredescu)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/22 "2017-05-07T23:29:30Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > The default assumption so far seems to be “what if the behavior being shamed isn’t bad enough?” I’m not 100% sure that’s the question to ask. It’s a question to ask because if the answer is no often enough, the result is a reactionary movement. Some things are plainly wrong and should be shamed. Sometimes the line between bigotry and ignorance is not clear though, and you can’t fix ignorance by shame. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/23 "2017-05-07T23:29:36Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I don’t care about the feelings of people who are bigoted. They don’t care about my feelings, so why should I care about theirs? i thought you might be better than they. mc ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/24 "2017-05-07T23:53:26Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > i thought you might be better than they. > > mc I am better than they are because I don’t act like they do. I have the decency to hide my lack of empathy. They do not. You will not be able to shame a person into thinking like a decent person. But shame is an effective way of controlling behavior, and “good” behavior goes a long way to creating a civil society–one where people act in decent ways to one another. So no, I don’t care how a bigot feels. But I do care how the victims of bigotry feel. If you want to liken me to a bigot because I’m intolerant of racial or religious intolerance, go right ahead. But I don’t think that’s a very thoughtful accusation. It’s a stupid accusation–one that is often made by people who are privileged enough to be able to sit around and talk about bigotry like its no different from any other political view. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/25 "2017-05-07T23:54:54Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > i thought you might be better than they. > > mc And use some capital letters, man. I feel like I’m talking to a little kid. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/26 "2017-05-07T23:55:05Z")
I have been branded a racist, sexist misogynist pig even on this board. That would be shocking to everyone that actually knows me in real life because it simply doesn’t fit. I make dark jokes about every single group including my own. Those are aren’t grounds for a lynching. There are a lot of good people out there plus a few scattered assholes. As the great philosophers Bill and Ted once said “Be excellent to each other”. That is all it takes. Divisive politics simply does not work. Hang out, be cool and listen to the opinions of people that disagree with you even if you find them abhorrent. It is really that simple. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/27 "2017-05-07T23:55:07Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > i thought you might be better than they. > > mc - Nothing but Net. - ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/28 "2017-05-08T00:10:19Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > And use some capital letters, man. I feel like I’m talking to a little kid. If he did that then how would he stand out from others here? It’s part of his online identity. Unique. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/29 "2017-05-08T00:10:43Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > As the great philosophers Bill and Ted once said “Be excellent to each other”. That is all it takes. Divisive politics simply does not work. Hang out, be cool and listen to the opinions of people that disagree with you even if you find them abhorrent. It is really that simple. Personally, I think it’s the side that says “I don’t think you should live” that’s being the divisive ones, not the side that protests that they should. Do you belong to any demographic that the “alt right” doesn’t like? If so, how many? I’m sure you don’t see yourself as a collaborator to the alt right, but there are those who see the points above as “now, now, it’s important to let the people who want you dead advocate your death. Free speech, don’t you know.” It’s a bit like the health care debate going on with Bricker in GD right now: the lines of larger rights versus individual life. It can be a toughie, to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/30 "2017-05-08T00:11:53Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > As the great philosophers Bill and Ted once said “Be excellent to each other”. That is all it takes. Divisive politics simply does not work. Hang out, be cool and listen to the opinions of people that disagree with you even if you find them abhorrent. It is really that simple. So not only is it wrong to shame bigotry, but so is refusing to be around it? What bullshit! No, it isn’t that simple. If someone is telling me to “go home” when my home is the USA, there is no point in me listening to them any further. I give respect only when it is warranted. People flapping their gums but saying absolutely nothing don’t deserve the respect of my time or attention. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/31 "2017-05-08T00:18:05Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > If he did that then how would he stand out from others here? It’s part of his online identity. Unique. If by unique you mean “obnoxious”, I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/32 "2017-05-08T00:20:20Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I just watched the video in this [article](http://wjla.com/news/local/woman-told-shopper-i-wish-they-didnt-let-you-in-the-country-reportedly-in-va-store). A lady is recorded making vile statements about Muslims and Obama. What’s worse is that she was directing her hatred towards a person who let her cut in line. > > Not gonna lie–I hope this woman catches some shit. I hope she gets fired from her job. I hope her friends ghost her. I hope she gets the cold shoulder at PTA meetings. I hope people point and laugh at her. Not forever. But for at least a few months, though a year or two would be great. I don’t believe in karma, but I do think there should be consequences for shitty behavior. She’s entitled to as many shitty opinions as she wants. But I believe once she started spouted off in public, in front of a camera, she gave everyone permission to judge her and thus act on those judgments. > > But I know there are probably people who think she should be left alone. > > My question: > > Do you think spreading videos like this around one does anything to deter ignorance and bigotry? Or does it just inflame tensions? You’re not looking for debate. You’re looking for approval of what you already want to do. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/33 "2017-05-08T00:22:50Z")
Just DNFTT. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/34 "2017-05-08T00:26:43Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > You’re not looking for debate. You’re looking for approval of what you already want to do. And what are you looking for? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/35 "2017-05-08T00:26:45Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > If by unique you mean “obnoxious”, I agree. I do. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/36 "2017-05-08T00:30:24Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Personally, I think it’s the side that says “I don’t think you should live” that’s being the divisive ones, not the side that protests that they should. > > Do you belong to any demographic that the “alt right” doesn’t like? If so, how many? I’m sure you don’t see yourself as a collaborator to the alt right, but there are those who see the points above as “now, now, it’s important to let the people who want you dead advocate your death. Free speech, don’t you know.” It’s a bit like the health care debate going on with Bricker in GD right now: the lines of larger rights versus individual life. It can be a toughie, to be sure. I am certainly not a fan of the newly minted alt-Right but I am a free speech purist. That means that everyone gets to have their say as long as they do it in a public forum. I would oppose anyone that blocked that even if it was the “New Communist Party”. The thing that irritates me most is that most Americans become hopelessly confused when it comes to the way the country works at all. Few people understand basic civics and even fewer understand federalism. We have the biggest economy in the world, the biggest military that has ever existed by a long shot and yet the major struggles are petty cat fights. It is pathetic. We should be united on the important issues but we can’t because a bunch of retards elected a bunch of people in charge with special needs (mostly lots of money). For example, the current healthcare debate is completely solvable. It would just cost a whole lot of money of money to major corporations so we aren’t going to do much of anything. Anybody with any sense already knew that. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/37 "2017-05-08T00:30:27Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > So no, I don’t care how a bigot feels. But I do care how the victims of bigotry feel. If you want to liken me to a bigot because I’m intolerant of racial or religious intolerance, go right ahead. But I don’t think that’s a very thoughtful accusation. It’s a stupid accusation–one that is often made by people who are privileged enough to be able to sit around and talk about bigotry like its no different from any other political view. i’m sorry if you thought I was likening you to a bigot. you asked why you should care about the feelings of others when they, seemingly dont care about yours. and my answer is because youre better than they are - its the right thing to do. how does filming the event and posting it on line do anything to assuage the victims of bigotry? the filmer isnt doing anything to stop the assault at the moment. if you dont feel safe intervening, there are ways to get your point across and use the moment as a teaching tool. you could possibly put the video on the net with the person’s identity obscured and use it as an example of the kinda of behavior you find unacceptable. but by just posting the video as a chance to ridicule someone, making her feel the repercussions of her actions, you foster an environment where its ok to be mean to someone because they did something you dont like. and just because this is a clear example of unacceptable behavior, the next one might not be, but now its ok to shame someone for something theyve said or done. and i mentioned the potential harm that could come from shaming not to protect the feeling of the transgressor, but to point out that if someone is so removed from everyday reality that they they think public outbursts like these are acceptable, then how are they gonna deal with all that public shame? its not their feelings that i’m most worried about, its the people around them that could feel the outburst from it. if someone is acting like an ass, it doesnt make anything better to ridicule them, and it may make it worse. mc ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/38 "2017-05-08T00:36:59Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I give respect only when it is warranted. I like to see it from the opposite perspective: I _lack_ respect for someone only when it’s warranted. I enter into any situation or relationship respecting everyone involved. It is only when they give me a reason not to that I don’t respect them. Respect is the default. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/39 "2017-05-08T00:54:44Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > So not only is it wrong to shame bigotry, but so is refusing to be around it? What bullshit! > > No, it isn’t that simple. If someone is telling me to “go home” when my home is the USA, there is no point in me listening to them any further. I give respect only when it is warranted. People flapping their gums but saying absolutely nothing don’t deserve the respect of my time or attention. I have not ever witnessed that happening even once in my life. You are a Southerner right? I am too. I always thought that the homeland for black Southerners was the South just as it was for me. Granted, I am white but black Southern heritage is integral to the region. There is no HOME (Africa) for you anymore than there is for me in medieval Europe. It simply doesn’t exist. I think everyone understands that. Southern blacks and whites formed their own commingled culture over centuries and there is no other place to point back to. It is a personal preference. I personally love listening to kooky ideas, outlandish thoughts and whacked out theories. It doesn’t say anything about me because I think they are crazy but occasionally someone will get something right. You just have to pay attention and apply critical thinking skills. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082/40 "2017-05-08T01:04:15Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I like to see it from the opposite perspective: I _lack_ respect for someone only when it’s warranted. I enter into any situation or relationship respecting everyone involved. It is only when they give me a reason not to that I don’t respect them. Respect is the default. I think that is a very good answer for dealing with people in general. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-internet-shaming-a-good-way-to-combat-racism-and-bigotry/786082.md?page=3)