(originally posted here∞)

Yellow journalism and the civil society

The rules of civil society are not that difficult to grasp. I hate the culture of PC moral superiority at least as much as any of the apologists here, but it is only polite to describe people in ways that do not offend. If Deng was upset by a comparison of his arms to the long variety found on a Southeast-Asian simian, then Sullivan should rightly apologize, and further, resolve to take more care with his words. Even if this event blossoms into the biggest mistake of his college career, I doubt any of his fellow graduates will be able to cast any stones in the final analysis.

Meanwhile, the words in question cannot be contrived to apply to a class of people under the most liberal interpretation. Any attempt to claim offensiveness by proxy, demand heads on a platter, etc. is unjustified and not worthy of the attention they so deeply desire.

All this is assuming he was writing a piece of standard journalism, where the usual rules of civility, deference, and stepwise enlightenment apply. "Shock jock" columnists abide by different standards: more leeway is given, but more responsibility must be taken in the event of a backlash. In other words, were Sullivan's position truly intended offensive, then let the editorials pour in. You merely guarantee the further disemmination of his silliness, but if that is part of the "cure" then so be it.

I doubt it is the case.

The comparisons to aliens are more apropos for this latter category, but by sheer virtue of their incredulity ("shock value," if you must) it's equally clear they were not intended to be descriptive in the same fashion as the orangutan. There existing no throwback ethnic stereotype, the basis for collective outrage is even shakier; moreover, by placing himself in the yellow crowd, we cannot honestly expect an apology. Against this kind of absurdity our weapon must simply be deaf ears, not loud mouths. (And then, only when it's patently unfunny; comparing Kris Lang to an alien is fair game.)

[tidbit: until this discussion I didn't know Livingston was black. given that HS basketball isn't televised and recruiting media is almost entirely printed, who the fuck cares?]