Back in the day, we were taught to make eye contact when speaking; that face-to-face conversation was how you shared big news and that the important things in life should be shared in person, not even over the telephone. In today’s world, Facebook and Twitter have taken the place of that personal exchange, making it easier to write the things we would hesitate to say to someone’s face. The screen provides a level of distance from our words, relieving us from the responsibility associated with the thoughts we share.
Last week, Ted Nugent (aka Uncle Ted, Motor City Mad Man, The Nuge), a rocker whose music I loved as a kid and a man I now call a friend, posted something I still cannot believe. His post depicted several known government figures: all pushing for gun control and all Jewish. The meme branded the Flag of Israel next to each person with a post saying that any Jew against the second amendment is essentially a Nazi. Having known Ted for a decade as we share a passion for the outdoors, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and reached out to him. We spoke and texted, and I hoped he would pull the post down, yet he has not done so as of the time I’m writing this blog.
When Ted and I spoke, the most telling part of our conversation was around how he excited he was that his Facebook numbers were climbing. I know Ted is not an anti-Semite. But he is fueling anti-Semitism with this post and alienating a tremendous number of people. I know the first amendment protects Americans even in regard to hate speech, I’m beyond disappointed in his decision to maintain this stand. I understand the post was viral and an attention grabber, but at what cost?
Here’s the thing: I believe if Ted had to look any of those people in their face and have a discussion about gun control, his passion would be clear, minus any personal attacks. I understand a piece of it: I love seeing a post go super viral. From personal experience, I know how it feels to add followers by the hundreds or watch as a post generates hundreds of thousands of likes. It’s a very cool thing; it’s staggering to watch the viral move take place. And it’s addictive as hell which is why we keep playing on that virtual playground.
But there are limits, there are lines and Ted Nugent willingly crossed one. My hope is Ted will own his responsibility on this one, take the post down and apologize. The flag of Israel is the declaration of independence for the state of Israel, something for which the Jewish people fought valiantly. I know Ted knows and admires any person’s quest for freedom which is why he is such a big proponent of the second amendment. But he is letting the screen and the numbers blind him to his moral obligation as a public figure and a human being. There are serious consequences that come from posts like this. And what I know from experience is the screen and social media, followers and likes won’t be there when the chips are down. And it’s not about the fans you gain for the wrong reasons, but the ones you lose for the right ones
