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Celebrity

Everything That Upset the Internet This Week

By Meghan McKenna

Date October 5, 2018

What is the web-o-sphere angry about this week? A movie star who wants more African-American representation, a president who mocks sexual assault survivors and a Youtuber who diagnoses other YouTubers with mental illness.

Michael B. Jordan says there isn’t any “black mythology”

THE STORY: In the November issue of Vanity Fair, cover star Michael B. Jordan is quoted saying: “We don’t have any mythology, black mythology or folklore. Creating our own mythology is very important because it helps dream. You help people dream.”

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Once again, we have an example of a pull-quote taken out of context. Read through the entire Vanity Fair profile, and there’s a good chance you’ll take away a different meaning from Jordan’s quote. Given the images that writer Joe Hogan paints the scene with both leading up to and surrounding the quote—they’re cruising “past billboards for Atlanta and HBO’s Ballers”—it seems that Jordan is likely speaking to black mythology being represented in film and television. But that doesn’t mean the statement doesn’t deserve to be critiqued. The quote has brought attention to how these stories discovered and shared, and as Stacy Whitman writes, “Those of us who are white should be watching this conversation, especially those of us who work with children. We need to understand that white supremacy has created this idea that there is no “black mythology,” and work to correct it by listening & sharing black voices.”

She then shares a Twitter thread from Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, an Associate professor who studies how people of colour are portrayed, or not portrayed, in children’s literature. Take a read through that, and then scroll through Reagan Gomez’s African-American folklore booklist.

Donald Trump mocks Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony

THE STORY: While on stage at a rally in Mississippi on Tuesday, Trump mocked Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony from the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, saying, “36 years ago, I had this happen, I had one beer — well, you think it was. Nope! One beer. You think it was one beer?” In the video footage, Trump is seen discrediting Dr. Ford’s allegation against the Supreme Court nominee as he pokes fun at gaps in her memory. The crowd erupts in applause, pumping signs that read “Women For Trump” into the air, and The President continues: “What neighbourhood was it in? I don’t know. Where’s the house? I don’t know. Upstairs. Downstairs. I don’t know. But I had one beer. That’s the only thing I remember.”

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Perhaps the most harrowing aspects of this video is the laughter that ensues from Trump and his supporters. One of the most poignant parts of Dr. Ford’s testimony came when she described the vivid memory of her assault: “the uproarious laughter between the two and their having fun at my expense.” The irony of her now being mocked by the most powerful white man in the world is likely lost on Trump.

And this probably goes without saying, but just in case: it is completely unacceptable to mock any and all survivors of sexual trauma. Trump’s victim-blaming rhetoric not only places shame on survivors, it gives power to the stigma of coming forward with stories of assault.

One YouTuber diagnoses another YouTuber as a sociopath

THE STORY: Shane Dawson, an American YouTuber with over 18 million subscribers, has created an eight-part documentary video series that seeks to explore the psyche of his fellow YouTube stars, Logan and Jake Paul. In the videos, he takes a deep dive into the stunts and gags of the controversial brothers, claiming they exhibit “sociopathic” behaviour. Dawson says he’s “fascinated” with the “darkness” of the Pauls, commenting specially on their willingness to hurt themselves and others for the sake of views and follows.

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Unless you’re an individual’s therapist, you aren’t in a position to diagnose or speculate about their mental health—particularly if you plan on sharing those thoughts with millions of YouTube viewers. This is exactly how mental illness becomes stigmatized. And, for the record, sociopath is a term that’s now rarely used in medical practice, with professionals now referring to antisocial personality disorder.

Here’s what Shane Dawson had to say in response to the backlash: “i’ve suffered from bulimia, body dysmorphia and depression for the last 15 years. i would 100% consider the feeling i have when talking about those things to be “creepy” “gross” and “icky”. it’s not me that’s icky. it’s the feeling i get when describing them. i totally understand why people are upset but i think it’s important to see it from all sides. are sociopaths gross? no. does it feel gross when u think about a sociopath acting out one of the symptoms? depends on who you are. but once again, i shouldn’t have made it scary 1000%.”

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