This week, CNN did the right thing.
It isn’t too often that I say that, but the network responsibly handled an inflammatory situation after Photo Editor Mohammed Elshamy’s anti-Semitic past came to light. No, Elshamy’s offensive wasn’t just insensitive jokes or insulting words (which usually deserve forgiveness after many years) but rather a disturbing celebration of “jewish pigs” killed by Palestinians. After this revelation, CNN rightfully parted ways with Elshamy.
Hey @CNNPR. You should have @KFILE look into the social media activities of your employees. He might find things like this gem from CNN’s @elshamyme talking about “Jewish pigs” killed by Palestinian terrorists. pic.twitter.com/NwL2d78RME
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) July 25, 2019
Just in from @CNNPR: “The network has accepted the resignation of a photo editor, who joined CNN earlier this year, after anti-Semitic statements he’d made in 2011 came to light.” https://t.co/IPHu4b0XKl
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 26, 2019
This is the correct response from CNN. However, it reminds me that another prominent liberal network, MSNBC, has still failed to address a similar situation with homophobic host Joy Reid. Their failure to sanction or fire Reid is disgraceful and hypocritical, and must not be forgotten.
Hey @msnbc how is Joy Reid doing these days? Y’all ever find that hacker? ? https://t.co/6gCiccR0NW
— Brad Polumbo (@brad_polumbo) July 26, 2019
In the 2000s, Reid ran a blog called the Reid Report. On this blog, she mocked public figures for their perceived femininity and gayness, attempting to “out” political opponents who she suspected were gay. The list of homophobic content Reid authored is extensive, but Vox has a helpful summary:
and that ‘adult gay men tend to be attracted to very young, post-pubescent types’ One post acknowledged, ‘Does that make me homophobic? Probably.’
Reid, to date, has still not owned up to her past behavior, flatly denying that she authored some of the posts and peddling in a baseless conspiracy theory that her blog was hacked. She has not taken full accountability for her actions nor offered a sincere apology.
MSNBC should have fired her.
Reid is clearly a liar, and can’t be trusted. How are MSNBC viewers supposed to believe anything Reid says? Her bigoted past, and more importantly, her utter dishonesty, completely destroy any credibility the host had to act as a fair or trustworthy member of the media.
MSNBC’s failure to fire Reid reeks of hypocrisy. From Harvard’s rescinding conservative activist Kyle Kashuv’s acceptance over past inflammatory comments to outrage over outlandish comments Fox News’ Tucker Carlson made on shock-jock radio, the political Left has consistently activated for and defended a culture that “cancels” anyone who doesn’t adhere to liberal orthodoxy. Thus, MSNBC’s refusal to abide by the same standard its left-wing allies and contributors have largely pushed is nothing short of unacceptable.
Now, to be clear, I believe in a culture of grace and forgiveness, and that we should give people with objectionable pasts a second chance in many circumstances. But this requires expressing regret and making amends, which Reid has refused to do — the MSNBC host won’t even admit she authored some of the posts. This is what makes her continued denials and dishonesty so unacceptable. As others continue to abide by our current cultural standards and pay the price for their actions, MSNBC’s rank hypocrisy must not be forgotten.
