Oklahoma Representative Sally Kern is feeling the full force of an active, creative media community.
Over the weekend, Rep. Kern went on an anti-gay tirade during a meeting with an audience of only 50 people. Her slanderous, hate-filled speech was leaked onto the internet swiftly:
It is frightening to think that only a few years ago, this kind of frightening, bigoted language would go unnoticed. Today, thanks to creative, grassroots media groups, people like Rep. Kern must account for their ignorant, irresponsible actions. Already, nearly 300,000 people have submitted their names to a register condemning Rep. Kern's speech.
It's easy to see websites like YouTube as frivolous outlets for humor and gags; but in this case, I believe YouTube made all the difference.
2 comments:
This woman may be a representative of the religious community she is from in Oklahoma. Although you may not agree with what she says, she has every right to express an opinion. I imagine this was in front of a small group who were familiar with her views. But as a representative in the congress, she should know that she needs to be more politically correct. I'm sure she will be more careful in the future.Some of her ideas are definately misguided and incorrect to say the least.
Thanks.
As a journalist, I would never disagree with the assertion that Congresswoman Kern has the right to say whatever she chooses and to assemble whatever group to which she feels allied. What I find so reprehensible is that an elected official--someone who is professionally responsible to set a positive example for her community--would make such slanderous comments. Comparing homosexuals to terrorists? Arguing that the gay community will be the downfall of our society? These are hurtful and dangerous comments. While I would defend to the death her right to say whatever she chooses, as an elected official she must be held accountable for making threatening and ignorant statements about an entire community of people. She may or may not be a religious leader--regarless, the separation between church and state mandates that she not let her religious convictions impede her duty to be a conscientious and responsible public servant while she is in office.
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