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In 2016, when covering his rallies, sometimes I was put in a pen with other reporters. When he would get to his "fake news" skit, people would turn around and get riled up. Curse, yell, hurl insults etc.
Once when it was over, ppl spat at me or asked me why I hated my country.
Once when it was over, ppl spat at me or asked me why I hated my country.
I would just hope as I walked to my car, no one would follow me or harass me further.
But I lay in bed some mornings and I think about 2020 and all that has happened over the last few years.
I *genuinely* worry about these forthcoming rallies.
But I lay in bed some mornings and I think about 2020 and all that has happened over the last few years.
I *genuinely* worry about these forthcoming rallies.
Our reality TV star president loves an audience, and his base loves to love him. As such, they also love to hate reporters. This tweet, the ones before it, and the ones to come, they deepen that hatred a little more each time for those vulnerable to the messaging.
I wonder, will they throw things this time? Will they actually follow us to our cars? Will they start calling for violence? Will someone actually get hurt? Could someone be killed as a result of this? The children at these rallies, what if one of them is hurt?
How far will it go?
How far will it go?
I dont know.
This post will probably attract his followers, where some may leave a snide remark or whatever other blather, but the Twitter-only trolls are not my concern. I am concerned, however, about the Cesar Sayoc's of the world.
This post will probably attract his followers, where some may leave a snide remark or whatever other blather, but the Twitter-only trolls are not my concern. I am concerned, however, about the Cesar Sayoc's of the world.
If you build and build tension, not curiosity, but tension - then one day that energy must find release. Every tweet like his today pushes that tension up a little more. When is the day it boils over? Will I be there when it does? Who gets hurt? Who will takes responsibility?
His language emboldens. He may have a right to criticize, it is his 1A and I advocate for 1A. But what is legal and what is right arent always the same. He is POTUS. He has powerful, outsized influence. He may hate reporters. OK. But that there is *no one* who can convince him:
"Mr. President, this isn't good for our country. Innocent people could get hurt because they are easily influenced by your provocative words." ---- Because No One can seemingly convince him of this, then all we have left is what we, as a people, can do to mitigate the damage
Don't feed the trolls. Don't be manipulated like that. Don't advocate an eye for an eye. Don't generalize everyone or everything. Nuance is your friend. It keeps you honest. Aim higher. Ignore the bait. Chart your own path. Avoid group think. Remember your better aspirations.
If you have zero love for the press, I just ask that we remember who will attend these rallies. It isn't all red hat wearing, slogan chanting adult voters.
I stood behind a 6 y.o. at the last rally I covered. There are children at these events, folks. They dont deserve trouble.
I stood behind a 6 y.o. at the last rally I covered. There are children at these events, folks. They dont deserve trouble.
Let me lastly say: if my tweet spurs outrage in you, please take 30 seconds to think about what you will do or say in response. My point is not to agitate negatively but to spur thoughtfulness about the impact of our words/acts. We all contribute to the greater dialogue here.
