Just Another Fake News Meme

So, the above meme was posted on Facebook by a friend of mine. My first reaction to it was, That makes no sense. Why would a black man be complaining that a company he's worked with for years wasn't racist enough? The meme came with a link to an article from Esspots, which, according to their "about us" page, is "your one-stop destination for satirical news and commentary about the United States of America. Our team of writers and editors is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in fake news and absurdity, all with a healthy dose of humor and satire."

I found that out after I had already I googled "Michael Jordan Nike." One of the first things that popped up in the Google search was a fact-check article from the AP explaining that this was indeed fake news, detailing the origin, and explaining that the impetus for the article was transphobic backlash (not racism) after a popular transgender TicTok influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, promoted Nike products on her Instagram.

My incurious friend posted the meme with the caption, "Good for him". 

 

First Reaction: The Family Defense Edition

Yeah, but you've also complained about compulsory masks, so I'm not sure I believe you.

First Reaction: Cuba

The caption on Facebook reads, "Communist Cuba sure looks a lot like Democrats in 2019!"

...unlike the Republicans, who are actively opposed to all of that.

First Reaction: False Equivalency Edition

I can see the headline now: 

"25 HIGH SCHOOL KIDS KILLED BY MAN WITH CELL PHONE"

First Reaction: Gun Control Edition

Soo... if the Government tells me they're going to tear down my house to build a highway,

who do I shoot? 

First Reaction: Pray for the President

Putting aside the massive hypocrisy presented by this suggestion after seeing what several of my Facebook friends posted over the EIGHT SOLID YEARS of the Obama era, quietly tolerating the unbridled cruelty, utter incompetence, outspoken bigotry, and shameless self-dealing of this administration is not an option. standing up to Fascism is a civic duty, and silence is complicity.

First Reaction: Muslims Coming To America

If Fascist ideology rests, as it has been said, on the idea that being born into a particular country and with a particular genetic heritage places certain people in a special category apart from the rest of humanity, and that the lives of certain other types of people are markedly less valuable than theirs, and that these lesser people pose an existential threat to the purity of their superior race and culture, then perhaps Muslims came here to give our local fascists someone to hate.  

How To Respond

Snagged off Tumblr:

When you receive a message like this you can respond in a number of ways.  Because my writings tend to run a little hot I decided to base my response on a letter by Bertrand Russell

To you, and all the others that can only feel superior by insulting others because in reality they are too small to see the world beyond their little existence,

I have given some thought to our recent correspondence. It is always difficult to decide on how to respond to people whose ethos is so alien and, in fact, repellent to one’s own. It is not that I take exception to the general points made by you but that every ounce of my energy has been devoted to an active opposition to cruel bigotry, compulsive violence, and the sadistic persecution which has characterised the philosophy and practice of fascism, or whatever name you choose to call it by now.

I feel obliged to say that the emotional universes we inhabit are so distinct, and in deepest ways opposed, that nothing fruitful or sincere could ever emerge from association between us.

I should like you to understand the intensity of this conviction on my part. It is not out of any attempt to be rude that I say this but because of all that I value in human experience and human achievement.

Sincerely, archatlas

First Reaction: Goldfinger

Ooh!  I saw that movie!

(I honestly didn't realize decompression was such a problem in public high schools.)

First Reaction: Background Checks

Well sure.  That's easy.  The second part is entirely untrue.

First Reaction: Ideological Groups

Conservatives think that this is a Liberal/Conservative issue.

First Reaction: From the false equivelency file...

Wait... You're saying that a Muslim broke the law by using his religion as an excuse to discriminate against... alcohol?

First Reaction: Love of God

Uh...
I've seen your Facebook page and... no you don't.  You use your faith to justify your personal prejudices and to advocate for Fascist policies and the politicians who champion them.  That's hardly what I would call the Love of God.

First Reaction: Remember...

One should also remember that four times that number have been killed by guns this year alone, and that it's only the beginning of October.  More than 1,500 were accidents, and more than 3000 were children.

First Reaction: Where Evil Resides

...which, compared to the number of gun deaths in other countries,

would make the United States of America the most evil place on earth.