Facebook is facing more than a small bit of backlash today, in light of a group formed to bash the families of autistic children, blaming them and persons of autism with shootings in America.
http://www.forbes.com/...
Over the weekend, a Facebook page appeared that claimed it existed for families united against “autistic shooters.” It’s unclear whether or not the administrator of the page was attempting satire or parody or being serious or somewhere in between, but the entire page used a jocularly vicious tone in its extended series of false claims that could have had no other effect but to cause harm and damage to autistic people.
Given the glee that the administrator evinced over the negative response to the page, the intent could not be in doubt: to compound for the autism community the pain that we all feel over yet another national tragedy.
The page, which at my last check was up, but has went down twice over the last twenty four hours takes great pleasure in indicting autistic individuals with claims that they are the heart of the problem with shootings in America.
Over the last week, and truly for the last several years, the idea of blaming those who have mental disabilities or illness has become quite trendy among a certain group of politicians. Now, that message is beginning to sink in with a more vocal and often angry base that does not care greatly for reason.
In the past, the idea of blaming large groups or persons based on their physical being or belonging in a class have been the hallmark of the worst kind of societal hatred.
Facebook, however, has responded to families who protested as such:
You anonymously reported Families Against Autistic Shooters. for displaying hate speech.
REPORT REVIEWED
Our update
Thank you for taking the time to report something that you feel may violate our Community Standards. Reports like yours are an important part of making Facebook a safe and welcoming environment. We reviewed the Page you reported for containing hate speech or symbols and found it doesn't violate our Community Standards.
Note: If you have an issue with something on the page, be sure to report the content (ex: a photo), not the entire page. That way, your report will be more accurately reviewed.
Hate speech, it appears, is still OK at Facebook. Let's be clear: Facebook isn't the government, and their business is in providing content - which they then put ads and associated money making engines on every page. To sell you items, games and more.
Facebook's decision here isn't a matter of censorship (which comes from the government) it is a decision that values the money from hate groups over the concerns of millions of families who care for a person with autism.