Be careful: The camera's rolling
First, there’s Helen Thomas, the long-time member of the White House Press Corps with United Press International (UPI). In late May, at a Jewish Heritage Celebration Day event at the White House, when asked if she had comments on Israel Thomas said, “Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine,” and later that they should go home, to Poland, Germany, America. The comment was made to Rabbi David Nesenoff – a filmmaker and blogger who runs the site RabbiLIVE. The video was posted on numerous websites the following day. Less than two weeks later, Thomas resigned from her current gig with Hearst Newspapers and ended a 57-year career in journalism. Commentators have denounced Thomas’ comments and labeled her a racist. The Camera was rolling, Helen.
Next, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC-2) is filmed manhandling a young man with a camera on the streets of D.C. The video spread virally like wildfire and again, commentators and pundits are calling for the head of Etheridge. Etheridge has apologized for his reaction –a reaction which has likely galvanized his opposition in an election year. The Camera was rolling, Bob.
Lastly, caught on tape is a police officer in Seattle, WA. A confrontation with two teens escalates after the officer stops a young lady for jaywalking. The scene ends with Officer Ian Walsh punching one of the teens in the face. The Camera was rolling, Officer Walsh. In fact, more than one person was seen right next to the whole event, with their camera phones snapping away. And one of those videographers immediately sent their video to local TV station KIRO, posted to YouTube and sold the footage to Inside Edition. So far the NAACP and ACLU have called for action against Officer Walsh while the Seattle Police Department is continuing investigation.
In all of these incidents those involved knew they were being filmed. Whether you have the ability to adjust your actions or comments based on the presence of a camera is hard to say, especially for the officer in Seattle. But you have to know the world is watching, or soon will be.
The other problem is context. Helen Thomas’ comments were clearly wrong, but the point she was trying to make (in a less-than-artful way) was that Israel shouldn’t be occupying Palestine. We don’t get that on the video clip. Rep. Etheridge’s reaction, or overreaction, was wrong – even he’s said so. But, how would any of us react if a camera was put in our face and the person doing so wouldn’t identify themselves. As for the officer in Seattle, probably nothing can explain the need for a grown man to punch a teenage girl in the face, but a 30-second video clip from a more than 20-minute interaction provides little context for the situation.
Comments
This post suggests we play Red Light, Green Light with the Golden Rule. I disagree.
The best reason for us to not act like a bunch of asshats isn't because a camera is present. It's because treating others with respect and kindness is the right thing to do regardless if any kind of recording device is being pointed at you.
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