Buried in a story in the Commercial Appeal yesterday that was wrought with various confusing items from former Mayor Willie 
Herenton, we read the quote ” to hell with all the bloggers.”
I had to really take some time to chew on that one from Herenton. On one hand, it’s probably good to see him actually say it. Many politicians have great disdain for bloggers and if he’s being transparent about it, at least we know where we stand. On the other hand, he probably just alienated quite a few folks. The sad thing is that he doesn’t really think this one through because he apparently doesn’t understand online communities, blogging and social media.
It’s an unusual time for bloggers. Twitter and Facebook have replaced some long-form blogging for some writers. Social networking should not be confused with blogging per se. Those platforms are instant. They are filled with digital communication for that very moment. Sharing over the sporting events as they happen, talking of the pop culture new du jour as it happens and, most importantly, creates communities. Let me add different communities that talk about a variety of things, including politics.
The thing that Herenton, and other politicians, sometimes don’t get is that these online conversation many times create relationships offline and those are the ones that candidates need to be wary of. Bloggers are not adults wearing bunny-printed pajamas living in the mom’s basement. The political bloggers in this state are, for the most part, professionals with a passion for politics or other issues that impact day-to-day life. I have met bloggers in Tennessee that are small business owners, former journalists who have been downsized, radio hosts, activists, nurses, professional writers, college graduates and students, book editors, and more who are part of a larger conversation in their various on and offline communities.
To alienate bloggers for the sake of alienating bloggers wasn’t a very smart move for Herenton.
There is no doubt that blogging is in transition now with the addition of new and quicker online tools, which anyone running or serving in office need to be aware of. The way we communicate online is changing and it’s just as fierce, for lack of a better word, than it ever has been. Bloggers are going more with niches but the conversation remains wide-open. Barely a week goes by that cities and towns all across this state are holding BarCamps, Fresh meetings, Drinking Liberally gatherings and the list goes on. With that said, online relationships are becoming face-to-face friendships and relationships. Even here at Speak to Power, we are targeting a niche for democrats in Tennessee. Willie Herenton is a democrat. ‘Nuff said as we say in the South.
Another thing that Herenton didn’t put any thought into is that he can learn from blog posts about what is on the minds of a select group of people. Politicians who understand social media understand that within just a few minutes they can see what is “trending” amongst constituents who take to the Internet. Yes, some folks are reactionary as is life, but then on the other hand those working in politics can gauge what’s on the minds of bloggers.
Is it health care? Is it social issues? Are there concerns about unemployment? Is it the future education of our children? Is it fear of long-term ramifications of the current economic situation? The list is endless.
I go back to that politicians can also be a part of the conversation. Not everyone lives in Washington and Nashville so those areas may not always be privy to what’s happening outside the capital bubble. Bloggers and social media are a source in some respects on what real, average people are talking about. With so much distrust in government right now, isn’t having a conversation with people who basically self-publish a good thing?
I’m going to go to two different things that were discussed at ABC and the New York Times yesterday.
First of, these words of wisdom for Jay Rosen of NYU.
“I think what might be happening is that something [that] blogging wasn’t very good at – instant notification, status updates, quick conversation – is shifting to the platforms where it is better handled,” says Jay Rosen, a professor of journalism at New York University. “People who once started blogs to be part of the online conversation probably wouldn’t do that today. They would use Facebook or Twitter. But the combination of a Twitter feed for constant contact and a blog for persistent writing over time is too effective for it to wholly disappear.”
Not only are politicians dealing with bloggers, they are dealing with everyone. Anyone with a Facebook or a Twitter account could be the next person to break a big story. A lesson they might want to learn because politics in this case is being discussed online in real time. Old school politicians didn’t have to deal with that.
These days, they do.
Also, if you want to totally irritate bloggers, in this case parenting bloggers, write something like this from the New York Times called “Honey, Don’t Bother Mommy. I’m Too Busy Building My Brand.”
Want to see the reaction from working mothers? You can go here. From what I’ve seen, they didn’t care much for that article although some did try to dissect it down for its positive and negative elements but the first initial responses I saw didn’t care for it much yesterday.
From Mom 101
I guess it could also have been titled Honey Don’t Bother Mommy. I’m Making Ends Meet for Our Family in a Tough Economy but that doesn’t seem as enticingly condescending. Also, then it would have to go in the business section and not fashion + style and that would just mess up everything!
She hits on the head something that applies here very accurately be it parenting bloggers or political bloggers, hell, even knitting or movie bloggers, they get when they are being condescended to. I also would like to remind Herenton and the slew of politicians that think bloggers are unimportant is that we all vote. There are mothers in Memphis so I’ve been told. (Yes, that was snark for those who don’t get it.)
The bottom line is that when you say “to hell with all the bloggers” you have automatically stopped the conversation, a discussion that might have served you down the road.
Herenton has sought to alienate Whites, Jews, Gays and Lesbians, and just about anyone who doesn't support blatant racism…its no surprise that he wouldn't care about the blogger constituency.
You are absolutely correct. We wrote about that yesterday as well and Grand Divisions has a great post about it from yesterday on LGBT issues.
Herenton: The Alienation Candidate
Comments like that don't hurt him a bit. Of course they don't help him either. Like Sean says, he's alienated himself into a corner.
To hell with all the stupid, one-trick politicians: How's that sound? Keep up the dumpster-diving with your cash-cow lobbyists of choice until bloggers (sic) lower the boom. Bumwads.
You don't understand Willie Herenton; he's convinced that he is a viable candidate precisely because he makes such statements (and believes them). He is a blatant racist, which is the only campaign rationale he has.
> “I also would like to remind Herenton and the slew of politicians that think bloggers are unimportant is that we all vote…”
But unless you vote democrat you will soon become irrelevant except to the extent that you foolishly continue to earn money to pay for the welfare state that purchases the votes of the emerging permanent voting majority. Unless you blog in as many languages as those in which ballots are printed, nobody will care what you blog about because they won't be able to read it anyway.
“Down the road,” we will be roadkill. Bloggers are interesting, but will soon be politically irrelevant. Herenton will, upon his taking office, be set for life. Blogging Mommy is trying to make the ends meet while her husband works until November to pay the family's taxes.
Charles Laughton as Henry VIII, stuffing his face,
tossing the bones over his shoulder to his dogs,
and replying to criticism of his manners:
'Manners are dead.'
Mayor Willie …. black
Just wondering… did any of those bloggers investigate whether non-blacks were (allegedly) ever allowed to be among the officers guarding Mayor Willie's home or if there was a pattern of discrimination?
Or did they investigate whether he (allegedly) threw delegations from companies and the like out of his office because they didn't contain blacks?
Just sayin', maybe these are things they should look into if Mayor Willie rubs them the wrong way.
Willie W. Herenton, the former mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, who's running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 is admired by many. And for good reason. Not just because Willie had the audacity to say, “to hell with all the bloggers. ” I say, “Mr. Herenton, good for you. You call em' like you see em”. Last I looked, freedom of speech was still a constitutional guarantee. Moreover, I especially admire the fact that so far most 80% of the money Willie's raised comes from whites. I admire the fact that Mr. Herenton stood up to the sex harassment claims while a school superintendent in his earlier days. Granted, she was his employee, but also white. Mr. Herenton said, “Sue me you white bitch. I have enough lawyers to drain you. Plus you got the part of me you wanted.” The woman was fired and Willie resigned, but not because he was on the verge of being indicted. Because he had bigger fish to fry. Fact is, Mr. Herenton is all man. When Willie had an out of wedlock child, Herenton crowed,”heck the world needs some whiter babies, even if they can't jump. Willie Herenton. A man's mad who knows how to whip women into shape. ” You don't have to marry 'em says Willie, just put 'em on their hands and knees. When they not cleaning the floor, they can clean the pipes.” Mr. Herenton, thanks for the interview. “Just between you and me.”
Willie W. Herenton, the former mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, who's running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 is admired by many. And for good reason. Not just because Willie had the audacity to say, “to hell with all the bloggers. ” I say, “Mr. Herenton, good for you. You call em' like you see em”. Last I looked, freedom of speech was still a constitutional guarantee. Moreover, I especially admire the fact that so far almost 80% of the money Willie's raised comes from whites. I admire the fact that Mr. Herenton stood up to the sex harassment claims while a school superintendent in his earlier days. Granted, she was his employee, but also white. Mr. Herenton said, “Sue me you white bitch. I have enough lawyers to drain you. Plus you got the part of me you wanted.” The woman was fired and Willie resigned, but not because he was on the verge of being indicted. Because he had bigger fish to fry. Fact is, Mr. Herenton is all man. When Willie had an out of wedlock child, Herenton crowed,”heck the world needs some whiter babies, even if they can't jump.” Willie Herenton. A man's mad who knows how to whip women into shape. ” You don't have to marry 'em says Willie, just put 'em on their hands and knees. When they not cleaning the floor, they can clean the pipes.” Mr. Herenton, thanks for the interview. “Just between you and me.”
@rachelpeepers
You have your facts wrong. The lady was black and still works for MCS. Get your facts straight because you sound as stupid as Herenton does. Womens rights have changed in the years and no women are on their hands and knees doing nothing they don’t want to do. Herenton is a drunk idiot and you’re just as ignorant to be a follower. If you want him in congress embarrassing the city of Memphis with his thuggish ways, then you vote for him. It’s not a black and white world. There are many more catastrophic situations going on that over rule your fore-fathers being slaves.
[...] exposed us to a bit of political theater in Memphis today according to the stream on Twitter. It’s not like he hasn’t done this before. I’m sure Steve Ross will have something to say about Willie saying he doesn’t give a [...]