Comments on: Open letter to Facebook

By: Paco

Paco — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:34:30 +0000

Here’s something we should support http://yieldtolife.org/ they can also be found on Facebook

By: Skanger

Skanger — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:38:49 +0000

It is worth reporting these hateful groups to Facebook. There was one recently called ‘just want punch cyclest in the head when they wont move out your way’ [sic]. It had similar content to this one. It has been deleted.

Refer in your report to Facebook’s term at http://www.facebook.com/terms.php – in particular look at section 3 (“Safety”), items 6, 7, and 12:

“6. You will not bully, intimidate, or harass any user.
7. You will not post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic, or that contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence.
…
12. You will not facilitate or encourage any violations of this Statement.”

Thanks for posting about this.

By: jeffbean

jeffbean — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:03:04 +0000

Raymond, thanks for the note and best wishes on your recovery. A bike versus a car does not favor the person on the bike. I’m glad you’re on the mend — and hope the distracted driver only makes that mistake once. JB

By: Martha Van Inwegen

Martha Van Inwegen — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:45:32 +0000

Great letter Jeff – to the point and heartfelt. I think if we can bring a small group of cyclists together for a small event such as a tweetup in Las Vegas, we can certainly bring far more to disband the group. Keep the voices raised!

By: jeffbean

jeffbean — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:30:55 +0000

Ian, thanks for your comment. BikeCrave values all opinions. The only way things change is when people get involved. Unfortunately, it also usually comes down to laws and lawsuits. I drew links to both for this particular post. I support the cycling community and write about cycling on this bike blog. That’s the focus. If you have a passion to change other things, I recommend you stand up, take a clear position and lead the way.

By: Allison Peacock

Allison Peacock — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:19:22 +0000

Ian, you expressed what I left incomplete. The great service that THIS type of hatred can serve is to motivate us to react similarly to the real thing. I plan on using what I was inspired to learn about Facebook’s policy of reporting abuse to ensure that I don’t pass by the other stuff (race, religion) without speaking up in the future. In fact the last time I personally faced this kind of overt hatred I was so overcome that I remained mute. (See my post at http://bit.ly/8F8BG5) I detest intolerance. And when it’s used to incite violence, whether against cyclists or against immigrants to this country we should speak up. Bravo to all that have commented. And thank you, Jeff, for helping to ensure that I don’t ever remain mute against this stuff again.

By: jeffbean

jeffbean — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:46:49 +0000

Markus, thanks for the referrals to sites of Jeff Helfand and Simon Tucker. I will do my best to help promote and encourage readers to engage. See you soon in San Diego. Safe travels. JB

By: Ian Greenleigh

Ian Greenleigh — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:29:33 +0000

Nothing against bicyclists that bike responsibly. But I can understand the irritation caused by the San Francisco, Austin type critical-mass bicyclists. Certainly not enough to start a FB group threatening to kill them.

But, come on, folks. This is NOTHING like the hate associated with race, color, religion or national origin. Facebook letting Holocaust denial groups go on undisturbed, now that’s an issue of hate. Roots run deeply there.

There’s no hate here anywhere near the level of viciousness, dark history or discrimination we see in so many other places. Rally against it, sure. But don’t compare it to REAL hate. Please.

By: Allison Peacock

Allison Peacock — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:10:49 +0000

Well expressed. Bravo! Sadly this is only one of hundreds of similarly venomous so called “fan” pages set up for the express purpose of spreading hatred.

I’ve been a FB user for almost 5 years…ever since my oldest child went to college and urged me to join to stay in touch with her. And I’ve watched it bloom into something – like most any other tool – that really demands mindful management.

Thanks for speaking up. I urge everyone who reads this to send along similar sentiments.

Allison

By: Raymond Parker

Raymond Parker — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:49:42 +0000

I also alerted the Facebook “authorities to this “group” of cretins, using the “Report” links.

30,000+ members! Though I notice an increasing number are cyclists who are tangling with its supporters. Waste of time IMO.

Incidentally, I’m recovering (slowly) from a catastrophic injury sustained last summer, after an unplanned “meeting” with a distracted driver.