This is not the diary I intended to publish today. Seriously, I had written a nice little diary about the need to laugh from time to time. Then I came back from some time away from the computer to come up with some Top Comm noms of my own. I opened up the Rec List for the same reason Willie Sutton robbed banks. It’s where the comments are. Let’s just say, my tone changed quickly.
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My Sundays always start with Denise Oliver Velez’s Front Page diaries. Today was no exception. 'Left,' 'progressive,' and 'working-class' do not mean 'white'. Even when the subjects of her diaries are difficult, I leave them feeling a little better about the world. Today’s diary did not disappoint and really made me feel good about the work we are doing on the left and the work we are doing here at Daily Kos.
So John, what’s the problem? Did Denise’s diary make you angry enough to scrap a perfectly good diary and bang out this one? No. Her diary was, as always, amazing.
It was another diary that made me angry. It wasn’t the diary either. It was the comments. For the first time in nearly nine years here, I found the tone of the discussion ugly enough to consider applying the “Stay away from the comments” rule to Daily Kos.
I’m working very hard to censor myself here so that I don’t veer off into something truly divisive that might turn any of you off to the Top Comments series. I’m working very hard to not swear vociferously and scream to the rooftops. So bare with me …
There are two diaries currently on the Rec List covering the response to HBO’s announcement of a television show called Confederate. As they are both on the Rec List, I don’t need to link them or worry about calling them out.
I don’t give two shits about The Man in the High Castle right now. I’m not sure that Handmaid’s Tale applies to the discussion. I don’t even want to hear about the Martian right now.
The concept of Confederate has triggered almost every African American voice I have seen discuss the show. That’s all I need to hear. And it apparently isn’t enough for far too many of my fellow Kossacks. Reading the comment threads of these two diaries, I had to double check to make sure I wasn’t on Facebook.
Instead of telling people that they shouldn’t upset and leaving it at that, at least tell us why we shouldn’t be upset. When someone who isn’t in the majority tells you something is offensive, listen to them.
We can do better …
If you want to comment on this topic tonight, feel free. I suggest reading this take from Damon Young at VSB before engaging though.
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist and/or Comment Formatter. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down.
Note: Please remember that comment inclusion in Top Comments does not constitute support or endorsement by diarist, formatter, Top Comments writers or DailyKos. Questions, complaints or comments? Contact brillig.
TOP COMMENTS
from Puddytat:
Tara the Antisocial Social Worker outlines the only difference between Trump and every other Republican in government from last night’s Top Comments.
from elfling:
grumpynerd offers thoughts on the use of the term identity politics in Denise’s FP this morning 'Left,' 'progressive,' and 'working-class' do not mean 'white'.
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, February 18, 2017, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
Top Pictures for yesterday, February 18, 2017. Click any picture to be taken to the full comment or picture. Thank you jotter!
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