Everyone has the right to their own opinion and to express themselves but some people do notice that they have crossed the line of digital etiquette. There are certain things you can and cannot say online.
Examples of these are racists remarks, especially in our country where racial tensions are always high. Being racist online is a big NO when it comes to digital conduct. You are almost certain to offend someone.
Another example is touching on controversial subjects like big game hunting. The majority of people will see big game hunting as negative. We have seen this recently when a dentist from the USA shot and killed a lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe and posted it on social media.
All of these are examples of what not to do on the internet. People are not afraid to say exactly what they are thinking and someone always suffers because of it. There is a line and its being constantly crossed.
This article highlights the social media outbreak after Penny Sparrow's racist remark.
Twitter erupts after KZN estate agent calls black people ‘monkeys’
04 Jan 2016 08:50 Jeff Wicks A Facebook comment bemoaning the “monkeys” on New Year’s Day’s beaches has left South African social media outraged.
A social media storm is brewing with the epicentre over a
KwaZulu-Natal south coast estate agent who called New Year’s Day
beachgoers “monkeys”.
Penny Sparrow had made the inflammatory post on Facebook, which prompted a mass reaction on social networking sites.
In her post she wrote: “These monkeys that are allowed to be released
on New Year’s eve and New Year’s day on to public beaches towns etc
obviously have no education what so ever so to allow them loose is
inviting huge dirt and troubles and discomfort to others.
“I’m sorry to say that I was amongst the revellers and all I saw were
black on black skins what a shame. I do know some wonderful and
thoughtful black people. This lot of monkeys just don’t want to even
try. But think they can voice opinions and get their way of dear,” she
continued.
“From now on I shall address the blacks of South Africa as monkeys as
I see the cute little wild monkeys do the same, pick and drop litter,”
Sparrow added.
The estate agent later deleted her post and apologised, saying she did “not mean it personally”.
The prominent economist came under flak earlier this year after posting a tweet that many on social media deemed racist.
Standard Bank on Monday announced that prominent economist Chris
Hart, who earlier this year had been at the centre of a storm around
tweets deemed racist, had left the bank.
Standard Bank spokesperson Ross Linstrom confirmed that Hart, “an
Investment Strategist at Standard Bank Wealth and Investment has
resigned and has left the employ of the bank”.
In early January the bank had suspended Hart, over a controversial
tweet which read: “More than 25 years after Apartheid ended, the victims
are increasing along with a sense of entitlement and hatred towards
minorities…”
This tweet has caused offense – never intended for which I apologize wholeheartedly. Meant to be read in context of slow growth
The post drew wide criticism on Twitter and Facebook, with users
calling on Standard Bank to fire him over the “racist undertones” in his
tweet.
Hart later apologised and said his tweet was meant to be read in the context of the slow economic growth.
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