Attitudes Driving Newsgroups
A Community Forms
How do I
Take Part in a Newsgroup
"No
wonder people drag them behind trucks": What Type of Person Could Say
This?
Conditioned Response
Unenforced Misdemeanor
Overeducated
Political Correctness
Black Humor
Lethal Injection
Dictionary and Implied
Definition
Coping Strategies
White Shaman Therapist
Hateful Jokes Encourage
Violence
Joking about "Direct
Hateful, Sickening Violence"
Well Said,
Bandall!
Mental Masturbation
Christmas Tree or Festive Bush
Lauryn Hill Interview
Criticizing Michael's
Response to Chenno
Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right
Newsgroup
Comparison with other Generation 11 Classmates
What is a newsgroup? A newsgroup is a virtual community that is policed by its "residents." A newsgroup can be described as a place to discuss topics, a place to spread beliefs, a place to find information, and/or a place to share stories.
How does one participate in a newsgroup? You can participate and post your viewpoints regarding a topic or you can participate by lurking in the shadows without saying a word.
The purpose of this report is
to discuss the psychology of Newsgroups. Other students have done this by
reporting on several different postings from different topics. In order to show
how the virtual community is built, I will use one topic thread with 19
postings to describe the many reasons authors publish their works in a
newsgroup.
I would also like to take a moment to state
that the opinions expressed within the posts are solely those of the author. By
using their messages to demonstrate how a community is built via newsgroups, I
am not endorsing any person's specific opinions or remarks. The dark red font
after the messages is my own commentary.
Subject:
What type of person could say this?
Date:
2/25/99 5:40 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
Ý
The station's general manager, Sarah Taylor,
announced Wednesday that she suspended Tracht without pay. Tracht made the
remark Wednesday during his morning drive-time show on the classic rock
station. He noted that the Grammy Awards ceremony was scheduled for that
evening and played a portion of a song by Lauryn Hill, a young black hip-hop
artist nominated for 10 Grammies. Then he commented, ``No wonder people drag
them behind trucks.''
The reference was to the torture and death in
Texas of James Byrd Jr., a black man decapitated while being dragged behind a
pickup truck. John William King, a white supremacist, was convicted of murder
Tuesday in the case. Taylor said in announcing Tracht's suspension that she
``deplored the comment and was appalled by it.''
Tracht faxed this one-paragraph statement to
The Washington Post: ``I'm truly sorry for the pain and hurt I have caused with
my unfeeling comment. I have no excuse for my remark, and regret it. If I could
take it back I would. In the course of my show, split second judgment is made
over ad-libs. This remark was a grave error in my judgment.
This is awful, what in the world would make
someone comment in such a cruel way? can you tell me? I was sickened by this,
to make light of another's death and family pain....
CHENNO ?ø?
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry
painting that speaks. - Simonides
My Reaction
Chenno
is looking for reasons that would explain why the Greaseman, a radio
discjockey, would have made the comment "No wonder people drag them behind
trucks," referring to the 'dragging death' of James Byrd, Jr. It is a
difficult to comprehend any death, but when the media attaches words such as
"white supremacist" and "racially motivated" to a crime, we
are more angered and sometimes confused. The tone of this posting is one of disbelief
- disbelief that a comment could be made that is so cruel - which leads the
readers to believe that the author is sensitive and na?ve.
Subject: Re:
What type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/25/99 10:14 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
You are an admirable example of conditioned
response. Clinton's felonies are mere crude behavior, but Tracht's crude humor
is a crime. I observed that only group members are permitted the freedom to
speak in crude terms. This is a new, privileged, ruling class.
Regards,
Lukin, Ph.D.
My Reaction
As
with any thread, this next post is in response to the one prior, by Chenno.
This writer expresses an opinion using psychological terminology (conditioned response) regarding the freedom of speech by comparing
Clinton's crude behavior, and the fact that he was acquitted of all charged, to
Tracht's crude humor, and the fact that the GreaseMan is being treated as if he
has committed a crime. I agree with his logic, however, I do not feel he has
answered Chenno's concern about how the radio personality could have said
something so cruel. As well as expressing displease at our nation's double
standards, this author represents society's frustration and prejudice.
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/25/99 12:48 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
You are an admirable example of conditioned
response. Clinton's felonies.
I hate to break it to you Sparky, but what
the President did (had done to him?) was not a felony. It was a usually
unenforced misdemeanor. Get your laws right before you go capping off at the
mouth.
My Reaction
And
with this post, we have someone who is really trying to make us feel like we
are in a "real" community by criticizing the previous post. There are
no facts to back up what is being said and there are no examples of what in the world would make someone comment in such a cruel way as asked by
Chenno, in the opening post of this topic thread. If I were supplying messages
from newsgroups that stand alone, this would not be one of them. It is not
enlightening, but an example of someone who just wants to be heardÖI mean read.
Subject: Re:
What type of person could say this?
Date: 2/26/99 1:11 PM Hawaiian
Standard Time
You are an
admirable example of an overeducated a***ole. The post you responded to never
mentioned Clinton at all. I hope to God you didn't (don't) have children.
My Reaction
Isavant represents the antagonizing bully
in the school yard. Profanity is not part of the proper etiquette of the
newsgroups; therefore, some careful editing on my part is necessary only when
the message belongs to this author. This author does make a good point about
sticking to the topic, which is - What type of person could say this. Chenno looks into the newsgroup daily to find the
new answers to her question.
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/25/99 11:37 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
You (and many others) have been so
conditioned by political correctness that you feel that it is your personal
point of view. Look at how the media has referred to the murder in Texas. It
was committed by John William King, a white supremacist. What if he had been a
Republican, a Democrat, a Catholic, a Baptist, a Wiccan, a member of the APA,
or any one of thousands of other acceptable affiliations? Would the media or
yourself have substituted one of these in place of "a white
supremacist?" It is politically correct to bash white supremacists. It is
perfectly correct to simply that they are all murderers. The murder of James
Byrd Jr. would not have been near as tragic, if it had been committed by a
Baptist Republican. Right? No, then we would have focussed on the murder and
not on the killer, and it would have been just another one.
As for the radio jockey and his suspension,
he was making a joke. Yes, it was in poor taste, but I seriously doubt that it
was intended as a racial attack. I remember growing up with all of the sick
jokes and the books that collected them. I remember the Space Shuttle
Challenger jokes, the Rock Hudson jokes, the Karen Carpenter jokes, the Black
jokes, the Polish jokes,...etc. And most of them were actually funny, once you
got past the tragedy that spawned them. We learned to laugh at the tragedy that
is part of life. Racial tension? Make a joke about it and ease the tension. Now
we can't make a joke for fear of offending someone. So all we are left with is
the tension, but, oh, what a better world it is! We have a world where everyone
is afraid to say what they are thinking and everyone distrusts someone else,
and now we can't even make a joke about it. What went wrong? [ Randal ]
If only God would give me some clear sign!
Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank.-- Woody Allen
More than any other time in history, mankind
faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The
other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose
correctly.ó[ Woody Allen ]
My Reaction
Randal speaks about the political
correctness that we have been conditioned by. Randal describes the impact that
terminology has on us, or rather, the writer leaves us with somethings to think
about. Would the media or yourself have substituted one of
these in place of "a white supremacist?" a Republican, a Democrat, a
Catholic, a Baptist, a Wiccan, a member of the APA. Well? Would you? I
do not refer to the convicted King as a supremacistÖ.I call him a murderer.
We
have a world where everyone is afraid to say what they are thinking. Is
this the world you want to live in? I know that I do not. My freedom of speech
is very important to me, but I will not exercise it at the expense of others.
Randal is not right or wrongÖthese are Randal's beliefs and opinions.
Subject: Re: What type
of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/25/99 5:28 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
Ý
It's called, for lack of a better term,
"black humor." [ Katrina]
My Reaction
This
post terms Tracht's comment as Black Humor. Katrina responds to the original post, which is what a good citizen should be doing. I
agree with her answer for Chenno that the comment made by the radio personality
was meant as "black humor."
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/25/99 7:12 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
ÝIt's
called, for lack of a better term, "black humor."
Why are they killing him with a lethal
injection? He may have some problem (King) and may need therapy (acupuncture?)
not injection of death. What type of person was King? How was his childhood
like? I want to ask some more specific question such as head injury etc. before
someone gives him the shot.
My Reaction
Roger
quotes Katrina's post, yet does not comment on the portion pasted in his
message. This makes the author seem like there are a few cards missing from the
deck. This commentary has nothing to do with the original post; however, in a
community, there is always someone to expand the conversation.
No one
seems to want to express any opinions on Roger's impression of lethal
injection. It is ironic that we are talking about a death that has already
taken place, and nobody can seem to talk about an impending death sentence. I
do not believe that acupuncture will help King, and I really do not care what
his childhood was like. He is an adult now, and he knows the rules of the
society in which he lives; therefore, he should be held accountable for his
actions.
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/26/99 1:22 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
That is not the dictionary nor the implied definition
of black humor. You need a better understanding about the nature of Tracht's
remarks and what black humor is.
My Reaction
Once
again, we are hearing from Isavant. The author is telling Katrina that she is
wrong for calling such a thing "black humor" but he fails to support
his ideasÖas usual. I do not believe I have much more to say on this author.
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/26/99 9:09 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
Ý
That is not the dictionary nor the implied
definition of black humor. You need a better understanding about the nature of
Tracht's remarks and what black humor is.
I have noticed that you are spending more
time criticizing others remarks than presenting your thoughts about the
original thread. Why don't you spend some time responding to the question
instead of downplaying what the rest of us are saying.
Also, I think that you have the meaning of
"black humor" mangled in your own mind. I am quoting the following
definition and example from a text book chapter entitled "Humor Therapy:
Comic Relief," in Brian Luke Seawards Managing Stress: Principles and
Strategies for Health and Wellbeing. "Black humor is based on the fear of
death. Typically, during national tragedies, black-humor jokes surface as a way
to cope with the gruesome reality of death, as was the case when jokes
circulated immediately after the Space Shuttle crash."
Please, check facts before you type.
My Reaction
Katrina
is supporting her previous post due to Isavant challenging the validity of it.
This author does not get rude but states simply that Isavant spends more time
criticizing others remarks than presenting original thoughts. By giving the
Title and Author of the work she has cited she appears to be a very credible
contributor to this newsgroup. She presents a new point of view regarding the
nature of Tracht's comments that the remark was an attempt at "Black
Humor."
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/27/99 8:45 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
ÝI am
quoting the following definition and example from a text book chapter entitled
"Humor Therapy: Comic Relief," in Brian Luke Seawards Managing
Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Wellbeing. "Black humor
is based on the fear of death. Typically, during national tragedies,
black-humor jokes surface as a way to cope with the gruesome reality of death,
as was the case when jokes circulated immediately after the Space Shuttle
crash."
The remark about dragging black people behind
trucks was not a coping statement. Tracht has a history of making racist remarks.
There is a chasm of difference between the average person's attempt to deal
with a random and tragic incident like the Challenger explosion and an
"entertainer" like Tracht broadcasting invitations to act violently
towards blacks [you do know about the Martin Luther King remark?] Those are not
coping statements my dear dullard friend. Huh? You would even try to put
Tracht's racist trash in the category of "Managing Stress" and
"Principles and Strategies for Health and Wellbeing"? Please identify
one mental health professional who will claim that they would use a statement
like Tracht's in a treatment plan. One more ludicrous assertions of yours is
that Tracht and his very narrow white audience were somehow trying to
"manage their stress" over the incident. I guess Tracht was the white
shaman/therapist overseeing a communal grieving process by which people over
the horror of the incident. Don't make me laugh.
Please pull your head out of youíre a**
before you type.
.
My Reaction
The
first thing that strikes me, is Isavant's use of profanity. This author seems
incapable of posting a message without insulting other contributors. I can
understand his point of view, and I may tend to agree with his line of
reasoning if it were not for the smart comments madeÖsuch as, "Oh yeah,
one more thing, there is a KKK convention on the Healing Power of Humor--you
might want to attend" and "Please pull your head out of yourÖ"
Well, you get the point. I believe that Isavant's true personality is revealed
to us through his postings and the more he writes the less believable he
becomes. He does stir up the emotions within because people continue to respond
to his remarks.
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/26/99 1:20 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
You really are clueless. Jokes about the
space shuttle didn't involve direct hateful, sickening violence. No hate was
directed at the space shuttle crew. The Neanderthal Tracht has a history of
making violent hateful statements that encourage his listeners to act
violently, i.e. the remark about the King Holiday.
Your complete misuse of logic in a most
bizarrely convoluted attempt to make an non-point about what the media calls
someone is not even worth my having to take the remedial steps to educate you.
My Reaction
Once
was not enough. Isavant could not wait for someone else to say anything before
having to attack once more. Isavant, what about the remark about the King
Holiday? Obviously no one cares, or they would have asked. Notice the word
choice in the last sentence. At a first glance, the writer appears to make a
good sentence filled with meaningful words, but upon closer inspection, this
sentence does not say anything that can be supported.
Subject: Re: What
type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/26/99 5:41 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
Well I diotsavant,... Tracht's
"joke" didn't involve "direct hateful, sickening violence"
either, although it was about it. There is a difference, although from your
rather narrow, limited point of view I can understand how you would have
difficulty seeing it. Nor was it obvious that he was directing "hate"
at anyone. If he has a history of such behavior, I was unaware of it, and my
post was in reference to what can and cannot be said in our "politically
correct" society.
I am also sorry that your lack of
intelligence stops you from following a rather simple discussion about
political correctness, but why don't you just admit that you are incapable of
educating your betters, instead of throwing up smoke about it not being worth
the effort? Please post back sometime when the savant half of your personality
kicks back in. [ Bandall]
My Reaction
Bandall
clarifies the circumstances that lead him to his previous post. Once again, commentary is given regarding Isavant's
careless disregard for others' opinions. Everyone seems that they must justify
themselves so that Isavant does not make them look badly. I do not agree with
this type of exchange, but I do recognize it as a normal part of socialization.
Subject: Re: What type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/26/99 9:23 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
Well said, Bandall!!
I am also sorry that your lack of
intelligence stops you from following a rather simple discussion about
political correctness, but why don't you just admit that you are incapable of
educating your betters, instead of throwing up smoke about it not being worth
the effort? Please post back sometime when the savant half of your personality
kicks back in.
My Reaction
There
are strength in numbers and Katrina is giving positive reinforcement to Bandall
for standing up to Isavant. This is also a normal part of the social psychology
that surrounds building relationships within a community. I too may have
congratulated my defender.
Subject: Re: What type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/27/99 8:52 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
ÝIf he
has a history of such behavior, I was unaware of it, and my post was in
reference to what can and cannot be said in our "politically correct"
society.
Yup, there is a lot you don't know Bandall.
Do a little research on the man you uphold as your Lenny Bruce. You clearly
exist in a haze of mental masturbation.
My Reaction
Isavant
has run out of things to say and by now has really strayed from the topic of
discussion. Bandall never stated that he held the GreaseMan on any type of
pedestal, and who is Lenny Bruce? Maybe Isavant is sexually frustrated. He has
heads in places they shouldn't be and now he is talking about mental
masturbation. I definitely do not agree with putting down other contributors,
however, I feel I have a lot to say about Isavant, which I will do in my conclusion.
Subject: Re: What type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/27/99 10:53 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
In our "politically correct"
society the only thing good about political correctness is when it's a good way
of not offending people of another race or religion, but the problem with that
is this...
WORD: Christmas Tree
P-CORRECT TRANSLATION: Festive Bush
what is offensive about Christmas Tree? just
because a ton of religious minorities and groups are not Christian, they would
have to be discriminative against Christianity to take such a term as
"Christmas tree" to be offensive. what, you don't think some
Christians aren't offended when they see "x-mas" everywhere?
My Reaction
This
topic is about political correctness and how the author feels the term is
misused. The purpose of political correctness is so that we have "a good
way of not offending people of another race or religion." I agree with
this definition as it is explained through an example. I find this post on the
humorous side and no one appeared offended. I would categorize this author as
the philosopher of the group.
Subject: Re: What type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/25/99 9:56 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
I read a interview of Lauryn Hill in either
Spin or Rolling Stone a while back, and she made some kind of comment along the
lines of "I would rather go broke and starve than have white people
listening to my music". I believe that's what triggered Tracht's remark.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Radio shock jock Doug
Tracht, known as ``Greaseman'', has been suspended indefinitely for a
race-related remark made on station WARW-FM.
Tracht made the remark Wednesday during his
morning drive-time show on the classic rock station. He noted that the Grammy
Awards ceremony was scheduled for that evening and played a portion of a song
by Lauryn Hill, a young black hip-hop artist nominated for 10 Grammies. Then he
commented, ``No wonder people drag them behind trucks."
My Reaction
Sometimes
we remember things that seemed insignificant at the time, but the memory
surfaces due to some external stimulus. This is what happened to Michael. He is
not condoning or condemning the GreaseMan's remarks, but simply stating why he
felt the radio dj was able to say, "No wonder people drag them behind
truck." Michael's justification is valid if he has remembered the
interview with Lauryn Hill accurately. This is a direct response to Chenno's
original post, part of which is quoted by Mr. Graves for the sole purpose of
reminding us the topic of discussion.
Subject: Re:
What type of persoN could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/26/99 1:25 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
Nice justification attempt but that is not
what Tracht says. In addition we need a real citation on the quote and even
then so f***ing what?
My Reaction
I
am not sure what Isavant is talking about here, but notice the profane manner
of speaking.
Subject:
Re: What type of person could say this?
Ý
Date: 2/28/99 1:14 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
Mr. Graves,
I would hope that you are not endorsing or
validating the greasemans racist remarks by bringing up something that Ms. Hill
said over 3 plus years ago.
As for both her and the Greaseman, 2 wrongs
don't make a right and not every comment needs a response.
Proud to be Black,..... FMG.
My
Reaction
FMG feels
that the Greaseman's remarks are wrong but does not give Chenno any reasons why
he would have said them. Isn't what Hill said at any time important? In the end
of his message he clarifies his first statement so that he does not appear to
be condoning what Hill said. I agree with the statement that "2 wrongs
don't make a right and not every comment needs a response." FMG is the
rational thinker in this bunch.
As a follow up to this thread,
I found Chenno's response to what everyone thus far.
Subject: How could someone say this...comment from original poster
Date: 3/1/99 7:06 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
My only feeling to all these responses are...you can coat it all you want!! It was a racist comment and not only that, a cruel thing to say....Yes, many have made comments about all tragic events in life and I question there character as well! I would not make a comment about a black, white or purple persons pain and suffering! Not only that, the DJ who commented did not do so at home, he did it over the air to the public...and abused that forum....I am all for freedom of speech.. But, not for racism or human cruelty. I ask you how you would of felt being that poor mother of the child killed in such a fashion,For what? being black? my god! that is scary and should not be tolerated at any level!
SO call it what you like!
I call it as I see it!
WRONG!
CHENNO ?ø?
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry painting that speaks. ñ Simonides
Subject: Re: How could someone say this...comment from original poster
Date: 3/1/99 9:51 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
I see your point, kinda.
BUT..... I want to have the right to teach children about all the evils of niggers and all the good that can come from dragging them down a road till they die, AND I want to have the right to broadcast it from every television and radio station that I can, AND I want to have the right to make jokes about it afterward. Especially if I think someone might try to take that right away from me. In other words I want to have the right to be racist in public. Even though I dislike the idea of racism, in all its colors.
don't hate me
Subject: Re: How could someone say this...comment from original poster
Date: 3/7/99 9:09 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
This really, really saddens me. Even if you are posting as a joke think of the pain your words cause and how they cheapen the lives lost to ignorance and hate.
Subject: Re: How could someone say this...comment from original poster
Date: 3/2/99 10:31 AM Hawaiian Standard Time
My only feeling to all these responses are...you can coat it all you want!! It was a racist comment and not only that, a cruel thing to say....Yes, many have made comments about all tragic events in life and I question there character as well! I would not make a comment about a black, white or purple persons pain and suffering! Not only that, the DJ who commented did not do so at home, he did it over the air to the public...and abused that forum....I am all for freedom of speech.. But, not for racism or human cruelty.. I ask you how you would of felt being that poor mother of the child killed in such a fashion, For what? being black? my god! that is scary and should not be tolerated at any level!
SO call it what you like!
I call it as I see it!
WRONG!
CHENNO ?ø?
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry painting that speaks. - Simonides
If you didn't want to hear any other opinions, then don't post yours in a newsgroup where people are going to disagree with you!
Subject: Re: How could someone say this...comment from original poster
Date: 3/2/99 1:57 PM Hawaiian Standard Time
If you didn't want to hear any other opinions, then don't post yours in a newsgroup where people are going to disagree with you!
uhmmm, hello? I did not say I did not want to hear anyone's opinion...lol re-read hon. smile it makes you look younger;)
CHENNO ?ø?
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry painting that speaks. - Simonides
A community has formed within this one topic thread. The original poster does not comment in the original thread because she wants to know what others think about the remark. However, Isavant posts 6 of the 18 original messages. Most of his are criticizing the other posters and he never quite gets around to answering Chenno's original question, What type of person could say this. He presents an ego centric personality, and he must be at the center of all the attention. His rudeness and abrasiveness did not seem to stop others from feeding into his need for attention. They, in their responses, are not rude or profane in their attempt to belittle him.
As a matter of fact it is quite subtle until you read Bandall's post, which is #12 and listed in the contents as Joking about "Direct Hateful, Sickening Violence. Here the community rallies around Bandall when Katrina gives him a "Well Said Bandall." She posted 3 messages. The first was a simple answer to Chenno's question, Black Humor. The second was an attempt to clarify herself to Isavant because he says she has no idea what she is talking about. There is a hierarchy of dominance presented throughout this exchange between the 9 contributors. Others really do try to answer Chenno's question, but their responses seem lost within the messages of and revolving around Isavant.
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