Ignorance, HIV, Racism, Social Media and other things...

This was major news over the weekend. Justine Sacco, an employee of the popular media company IAC tweeted the above while she was on her way to South Africa. Although Justine has since been sacked and forced to tender a public apology, many people are seriously outraged and shocked at her level of ignorance. Twitter absolutely went viral with the hashtag #HasJustineLandedYet

I mean, this was someone who held the position of Director of Corporate Communications and working in PR so I cant help but ask this question; shouldn't she have known better? What sort of expensive ''joke'' was that? Isn't she educated?

This is a good example of how one tweet could actually change your life. At first I did feel bad for her and all but then thanks to the power of social media, her old tweets were actually dug up and see a few of them below;

I had a sex dream about an autistic kid last night. #fml

— Justine Sacco (@JustineSacco) February 24, 2012

 

I can’t be fired for things I say while intoxicated right?

— Justine Sacco (@JustineSacco) January 30, 2013

Maybe what I really am, Is wanting AIDS #GIRLS

— Justine Sacco (@JustineSacco) April 23, 2012

I don’t understand why this ugly chick from England has become such an inspiration.

— Justine Sacco (@JustineSacco) April 18, 2009

As I sit and eat a bagel with lox, i would like to send love to my jews who are all starving themselves right now. #hungryhungryhebrews

— Justine Sacco (@JustineSacco) October 8, 2011

“Weird German Dude: You’re in first class. It’s 2014. Get some deodorant.” -Inner monologue as I inhale BO. Thank god for pharmaceuticals.

— Justine Sacco (@JustineSacco) December 20, 2013

 

 

 

 

Now is it okay for me to think that perhaps this woman might actually be somewhat mentally retarded? C'mon a PR Executive for that matter? Well I hear that her Father is a popular South African Billionaire so maybe she's just an extremely spoilt brat. But is that ever an excuse really?

 

 

What have I learned from all of this? Well I have learned that you could very well be educated but still remain completely ignorant. As Martin Luther King once said; ''Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity''. And it looks like, that for Justine, her ignorance, no matter how sincere, has truly turned out to be dangerous. And Justine dear, if you are reading this, here is a quote from Harlan Ellison; “You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant''.

 

 

On a lighter note, I think there are different levels of ignorance, no? what's your take on this then?;

 



LOL seriously I think I died after I saw this picture. Condiments, Continents, Countries, oh boy, I am actually confused...


FNLP
xoxo