Marlowe
I’m just becoming fully aware of how presumably well-meaning people can be easily manipulated into amplifying right wing extremist messaging. Within the last few days this has been expressed through sharing memes supposedly intended to ridicule the absurd allegations of immigrant pet-eating in Springfield, Ohio. For example, one depicts a carful of dogs and cats driving away from Springfield to escape. While many of us understand this to be satire, it suggests and reinforces the malicious message that Haitian immigrants are actually committing the alleged horrendous acts. It’s astounding that many who should know better don’t understand their complicity in placing the Haitian immigrant communities, and all immigrant communities in the United States, at risk. This is deeply disheartening.
#uspolitics #uspol
Sep 13, 2024 at 11:01pmWeb
Show thread"Mediocre Bunny" EvelynSep 13, 2024

@GlennMarlowe This.^

I'm trying to be careful in my own comments on the subject (I'm not much of a meme-er). I generally only talk about the "eating habits" or "culinary choices" of "immigrants," not Haitians specifically, because a) that drags race into it, & 2) Haitians have been taking it on the chin for 200+ years, they don't need me piling on.

Show threadjz.tuskSep 14, 2024

@Gorfram @GlennMarlowe

Maybe just skip it entirely, especially for now?

Show threadJargogglesSep 13, 2024

@GlennMarlowe
A pretty reliable litmus test - "Is this indistinguishable from something an actual racist would post unironically?"

If so, don't fucking post the thing.

Nobody cares if you were totally just kidding. That excuse provides cover for actual racists to claim they're also just joking.

Want to make fun of the ridiculous shit that racists believe? That's fine, just don't be lazy. Come up with an actual punchline that makes it clear who the butt of the joke is.

Show threadMarloweSep 13, 2024
@jargoggles Well put!
Show threadJargogglesSep 13, 2024

@GlennMarlowe
Quick follow-up: the reason why something like "A Modest Proposal" worked is because it went way above and beyond the actual rhetoric used by the people it was satirizing.

How the hell can you do that when the group you want to satirize literally believes that immigrants are eating people's pets? Can you honestly write *anything* that's so vile that you couldn't imagine someone like that saying it for real? No? Then that kind of satire doesn't actually fucking work in that situation, does it?

Show thread✨buff dog himbo✨Sep 14, 2024
@jargoggles @GlennMarlowe yes thank you!!
Show threadSue is Writing Solarpunk 🌞🌱Sep 14, 2024

@GlennMarlowe yep.

I had a nightmare the night that I saw the memes spooling up, about what would happen. I posted about it on FB, but it buried it. People *have* to be more more aware than this.

Otherwise, this is what (reliably) happens: https://time.com/7021289/bomb-threats-springfield-ohio-trump-haitian-pets/

Bomb Threats Disrupt Springfield, Ohio for Second Day Amid False Right-Wing Claims 

Two elementary schools were evacuated and a middle school was closed in Springfield, Ohio on Friday due to bomb threats in the wake of unfounded claims about the city’s Haitian immigrant community.

Time
Show threadMarloweSep 14, 2024
@susankayequinn Thank you. I too posted about it on FB, but suspect it was de-prioritized. FB doesn’t seem to like substantive discussions. Plus I’m afraid most of my FB friends don’t want to read more than a meme. Consequently, it’s not easy there to call attention to serious concerns. This really bothers me.
Show threadKevin LeecasterSep 14, 2024

@GlennMarlowe @susankayequinn
I happened to catch Ari Melber interviewing an Israeli historian that has published a new book on information technology disruptions to societies.

I think his new book is called 'Nexus', but anyways he viewed the clip of DonOld talking about dogs and cats from the debate.

He described it perfectly imo. It was a masterful move by Trump to get the issue of immigration front and center of national dialogue.

Show threadCamille Winds DownSep 14, 2024
@GlennMarlowe
Yeah, the media had people thinking that misinformation was a function of Russian Mind Control. I spend enough time with people who have only middling education to know that most misinformation is spread by people who mean well and think they are just getting the word out about Pressing Social Matters.
Show threadMarloweSep 14, 2024
@camille Great observation! Thank you
Show threadpatcanfieldSep 14, 2024
@GlennMarlowe I'm sure Haitians are Just like the Majority of people/ Americans and limit their meat intake to Large animals, Fat animals, and Birds--and fish.--as long as they're no one's pet, possibly. Come October Trump will claim the Immigrants from Africa(They shipped all their prison inmates out) are cannibals and specifically like republican suburban wives!
Show threadpatcanfieldSep 17, 2024
@GlennMarlowe Saying 'TRUMP' is antithetical to Our Heaven--from now on we all need to refer to that POS as DUNG(or make up your own-'shit' works fine.) Not like we can't figure out who we mean!
Show threadjz.tuskSep 14, 2024

@GlennMarlowe

I've tried things like this:

https://mastodon.social/@jztusk/113125631327822795

I think she took it down, so maybe "point it out politely" sometimes works?

Show threadKid ManiaSep 14, 2024
@GlennMarlowe
Thanks for the heads up. You made me rethink some shit.
Show threadMarloweSep 14, 2024
@clintruin You’re welcome. I hope I didn’t come off as too harsh. Just airing thoughts that have been incubating for awhile. Take care.
Show threadKid ManiaSep 14, 2024
@GlennMarlowe
Not too harsh. Showed empathy. Firm. Concise. Clear. If anything, you came across as disappointed...and rightfully so.
Show threadMarloweSep 14, 2024
@clintruin Thank you.
Show threadErik NashSep 14, 2024
@GlennMarlowe about 50 years ago, the same satire trope was used on Vietnamese immigrants after the war in Vietnam and also on Koreans
Show threadMarloweSep 14, 2024
@Crazy_Erik Yes, I remember well. I’m that old 🙂
Show threadLinda Sgoluppi ArtistSep 14, 2024

@GlennMarlowe It is important that the underlying messages of hate are shown to be as hateful as they are. However I will never underestimate the power of humour to air something totally absurd and that humour has a place in demolishing the Emperor with his new clothes. The main thing here is that Trump is being laughed AT not laughed with. He's an appalling example of a human being and the sooner he's beaten the better even if it means he's laughed out of the election.

#Mastodon #Fediverse

Show threadMarloweSep 14, 2024
@lindasgoluppiart I absolutely agree. We must understand how to make certain that our humor/humour clearly focuses on him and his movement without inadvertently causing harm to their targets. Unfortunately, the Ohio town at the center of this week’s controversy is now experiencing bomb threats and other hate messaging. So we must be careful. Thank you. I appreciate your comments.
Show threadLinda Sgoluppi ArtistSep 15, 2024
@GlennMarlowe I've just seen some of the reports about what the town is experiencing but I am also hopeful because one of the reports shows local people getting together with the Hattians that the hate has been targeted at. It's the sort of reaction that is good to see. Even so I agree, we must be careful with the messaging.
Show threadMarloweSep 15, 2024
@lindasgoluppiart I saw a photograph of Springfield residents gathering at a Haitian restaurant to support their neighbors. Yes, great to see. I’d love to see this type of imagery become the dominant message. In general, the positive tone of Kamala Harris’ campaign has helped to lift the mood here. But we have a long way to go to break the MAGA spell. I believe the future of the world depends on it.
Show threadLinda Sgoluppi ArtistSep 16, 2024
@GlennMarlowe I agree. We need to learn to do things in a better way. If each of us changes a little about ourselves then that change becomes a big change.
Show threadLuuk_AaldersSep 14, 2024

@GlennMarlowe

Richt-wing people are to stupid to think for themselves! That's why they believe all the lies of Trump!