1938 Media’s distribution deal with Verizon, announced just a week ago, is history.
Yesterday a group of “civil rights activists” protested the deal and threatened to boycott Verizon. The reason? A 2007 video that Feldman created called “TechNigga” that the groups say is racist.
The video was not included on Verizon, and television reports that Verizon financed the video are incorrect. But Feldman confirmed to me that all 1938 Media videos were removed by Verizon yesterday and that they terminated the relationship today.
There is almost certainly a back story to this that may unwind over the coming days. Feldman has been in the spotlight recently for a set of puppet videos that originally mocked new media consultant Shel Israel (and later others including me, Loic LeMeur and Dave Winer). A lot of people were angry with Feldman over the parodies (and I drew criticism for covering the story) - and it wouldn’t surprise me if someone helped organize the early stages of this protest.
So what’s your opinion? Is the video racist? Should Verizon have stood by Feldman? Tell us in the comments.
That “Rat-Bastard” has some nerve pulling something like that, someone should teach that “rat” have to behave..then throw him some cheese!
1938 Media was wrong point - blank - period. As a young African American woman who works in online media, the video played into all the stereotypes/cultural assumptions/views I try to help change every day.
I would think someone of his age and knowledge of Black media/tech (check http://www.blackweb20.com - he has made a comment or two there before) he would of chosen not to go down that path of aiding in a everyday stereotypical/cultural assumptions and views AA people deal with everyday.
***Letter to people of all races, AA too - the “N” word is not ok to use - and if you choose to use this word in any form (joke, reference, etc.) - you are subject to some back lash and boycott — it’s kinda an unspoken rule.
As an African-American I found the video hilarious. It’s comedy people, stop carrying about that air of self-importance that is generally so undeserved. Now Verizon should have taken more time to review the content that they were placing on their v-cast service. Not everybody can laugh at others let alone themselves. So stupid move on Verizon’s part yes, am I offended by it no. Mainly because no one in my circle of family or friends behaves or acts that way. The ones that are angered the most by it, see people close to them in the parody.
It absolutely is racist and verizon did the right thing.Look,guy’s like this behave this way in order to get the attention he never received as a child, because there was no reason to give him any.He could also be doing this to get a buzz so that he may secure a lucrative contract with well to do companies like verizon.No matter his motive he’ll never be anything more than a clown and an opportunist who’s attempt at humor makes you wonder, is this guy an imbecile or a moron?
*Unbelievable that this filth is on the net. Racist inhumane behavior like that deserves punishment. This is smart of Verizon. I’m glad they smartened up.
Let me give you an update on what many of us are doing for our black culture. Many of us never did accept the N word. For someone to say that we “own” the N word is rediculous. It is not okay for someone black or any other race to say it whether you want to think it or not. That word has a lot of history of pain in our culture and many of us “hate” that word that we were labled with. It belongs in the obsolete file.
Thank you Verizon for stepping up to the plate.
Side notes:
It’s interesting to see that the “Leave a Reply” fields are are not vetted. By all accounts, there are simply free form text input elements of the form.
If a third party commenting systems (outside of Seesmic) were present here a bit of the confusion by people spoofing/pranking comments as other folks might be diminished. See also: loic, mike, loren “replies” above
However, another impact would be a distinct lowering of page impressions and refreshes. So, the +200 comment entries like this post (as of now) would be a bit more rare I think until visibility outside the regulars increased.
Granted, Mike and team have been better about the serial offenders that drop by and vomit spam and such but a weigh in all topic like this could really be gamed hard…
However, it is very savvy of Loic to create a reply on Seesmic. Timely. Very timely.
I love when white people screw their faces up and say “well….THEY call each other nigger. Why can’t I say it?” Because you can’t. Period. Because white people invented the word to be degrading to black people. Because when a white person says the word, its always a comeback when they’re upset with a black person. Ask Kramer. Its always the first weapon out the arsenal. That train is never late. THAT’S why you can’t say it. Just the other day, I got into an arguement with a guy at a gas station, and the first insult out his mouth is “nigger bitch”. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to be called a nigger? How painful it is, that in 2008 I’m still being called that. I’m also only 21, and missed the entire civil rights movement. I thought it was all peace and harmony between the races. And that’s not the first time. Its happened A LOT in my life. And, just to let the record show…..not all of us call each other that word. So, white people…..since you feel that its your right to use the word, I double dare you to go up to a black person and call them a nigger. But, right……you’re too scared to do that. So, if you don’t have the balls to say it to a black person’s face, why are you so upset that you can’t say it??? Or…..lets compromise. I get to call you white trailer park cracker if you call me nigger.