@LadyPGrayson Dr. Mike Robinson: What does it mean to the future of political communications with the decision by Twitter to suspend Trump’s account permanently?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: As someone working to create a third political party because the first two only care about the Black voters when it’s time to campaign, I do have concerns. Will social media platforms apply heavy rulings to us to shut us down as many are indebted to these current parties. I think had these social media platforms stopped the madness, done fact checking, and held political commentary to a standard initially, and it would not have gotten to this point. I am concerned that, as of now, they may understand their shortcomings and become a bit overzealous in their monitoring of political commentary.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is this a violation of the First Amendment?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: I don’t believe so. One must consider the spirit of the law; when the First Amendment was written, I am sure that it did not exclude this country’s leader rallying individuals to go commit crimes. Social media or any other form of free speech was not designed to encourage the people to commit crimes, promote murders, to urge citizens to break the law, and disrespect the nation’s foundational structures.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Should social media platforms have the responsibility to monitor what is said, especially by our national leaders?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: Absolutely. Had that been done, then the election of 2016 would not have been misconstrued by Russian hackers. The current president would have been restricted from putting out so many lies that did hurt citizens, such as hydroxychloroquine, which killed a couple, drank bleach, won the election, etc.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is your reaction?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: I was elated but Twitter gets no ovation from me as their efforts were a day late and a dollar short.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did Twitter move late on this?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: Absolutely. Some of their employees had been asking them for the past two years to address this. They even had to badger Twitter leadership to do something after this week’s coup.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you believe Twitter's decision to shutter Trump addresses the comments that Big Tech is driving society's thinking?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: No. Twitter is the vehicle; the commentators are the driver. And from someone who uses Twitter, they restrict everybody’s speech if they believe it is inappropriate as Twitter has shut me down before calling someone a ‘coon’…but he deserved it.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you think the use of Twitter by Trump led to his election and popularity?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: That in addition to Russia, spreading fake news to create further division and support for Trump.
Dr. Mike Robinson: How do you think Trump will communicate with his followers in the future?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: He will find other programs or means to continue to communicate. There are many social media platforms, and unfortunately, he will find one that supports his twisted points of view.
Dr. Pamela Grayson received her bachelor’s degree from an HBCU, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Her masters of Management was earned from the University of Phoenix. She earned her doctorate of Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. She currently serves as an ESL instructor and a business contractor.
Dr. Pamela Grayson: As someone working to create a third political party because the first two only care about the Black voters when it’s time to campaign, I do have concerns. Will social media platforms apply heavy rulings to us to shut us down as many are indebted to these current parties. I think had these social media platforms stopped the madness, done fact checking, and held political commentary to a standard initially, and it would not have gotten to this point. I am concerned that, as of now, they may understand their shortcomings and become a bit overzealous in their monitoring of political commentary.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is this a violation of the First Amendment?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: I don’t believe so. One must consider the spirit of the law; when the First Amendment was written, I am sure that it did not exclude this country’s leader rallying individuals to go commit crimes. Social media or any other form of free speech was not designed to encourage the people to commit crimes, promote murders, to urge citizens to break the law, and disrespect the nation’s foundational structures.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Should social media platforms have the responsibility to monitor what is said, especially by our national leaders?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: Absolutely. Had that been done, then the election of 2016 would not have been misconstrued by Russian hackers. The current president would have been restricted from putting out so many lies that did hurt citizens, such as hydroxychloroquine, which killed a couple, drank bleach, won the election, etc.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is your reaction?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: I was elated but Twitter gets no ovation from me as their efforts were a day late and a dollar short.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Did Twitter move late on this?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: Absolutely. Some of their employees had been asking them for the past two years to address this. They even had to badger Twitter leadership to do something after this week’s coup.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you believe Twitter's decision to shutter Trump addresses the comments that Big Tech is driving society's thinking?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: No. Twitter is the vehicle; the commentators are the driver. And from someone who uses Twitter, they restrict everybody’s speech if they believe it is inappropriate as Twitter has shut me down before calling someone a ‘coon’…but he deserved it.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you think the use of Twitter by Trump led to his election and popularity?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: That in addition to Russia, spreading fake news to create further division and support for Trump.
Dr. Mike Robinson: How do you think Trump will communicate with his followers in the future?
Dr. Pamela Grayson: He will find other programs or means to continue to communicate. There are many social media platforms, and unfortunately, he will find one that supports his twisted points of view.
Dr. Pamela Grayson received her bachelor’s degree from an HBCU, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Her masters of Management was earned from the University of Phoenix. She earned her doctorate of Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. She currently serves as an ESL instructor and a business contractor.