this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2024
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United States | News & Politics

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[–] [email protected] 159 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (6 children)

That is Elon Musk not believing that Elon Musk is racist.

It took me 35+ years to realize I have a huge racist streak. And all that behavior was so similar to mine before I was told that I am a racist POS.

It sucks. And it is almost impossible to break out of it if you get that old with it.

All i can do is hope that I investigate enough of myself and don't micro/macro-aggress on Black Americans.

Elon Musk, my guess, hasn't had anyone break that news to him successfully.

[–] [email protected] 83 points 8 months ago

Too few people grapple with this level of self-awareness. Fewer still make the hard choice when confronted with the ugly truth.

Salute, fellow investigator.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, I think everyone is a bit racist. When people don't look or behave like you, it's easy to treat them differently, sometimes a lot differently.

I work with people from a variety of backgrounds (race, language, nationality) and I'm married to someone with a different race, language, and nationality as well. Even so, when I read articles online, I picture the other person as my race, background, and gender, even though that's unlikely to be the case. I also catch myself thinking less of someone who is different from me, before I catch myself and really think about what they said/did (usually it's just the accent or mannerisms throwing me off).

I think that's normal, and you're doing the right thing by acknowledging it and trying to catch yourself. The next step that works for me is to build trust with my co-workers who are different from me, and ask them if I'm being insensitive or something. It takes time to build that trust, but my spouse calls me out all the time and I express my gratitude each time. I still make mistakes, but hopefully those around me know I don't mean anything by it. I also catch my spouse being racist, and they're a bit more defensive about it but appreciative nonetheless.

Good luck! Life is all about continually improving ourselves. I don't think we'll ever reach a point where racism is dead, but hopefully we can get to a point where it's at least manageable.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I think you are describing biases, which we do indeed all have. They don't (necessarily) make you racist, they make you human. The folks who refuse to make any attempt to acknowledge that (or who openly revel in it), and won't do the work to mitigate those biases - those are the racists and bigots.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Right. I'm just saying that statements can be racist, but that doesn't necessarily make me racist because it all comes down to intent. I want people to call me out because it's not my intention to say racist things.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Being able to sit with discomfort is key to teaching oneself to be better. The hardest part is realising that there's never a point where you have fixed the problem and can relax - the deeper you dig, the more things you find to be uncomfortable about.

[–] unreasonabro 3 points 8 months ago

The way out is in. Not around and around. ;)

[–] [email protected] 21 points 8 months ago

Good on you for noticing, and not just going 'meh it's how I am', 'it's how I was raised' or a bajillion other cop outs.

Realizing you need to change, having the impetus to do so, and actually rolling up your sleeves and fucking doing something about it are three very difficult things to do. Their difficulty increases as you proceed down the path from realization to action.

It isn't easy. You'll fall on your face several times; you may not ever even reach your goal, but eventually you'll look over your shoulder at the person you were and realize how far you have come.

That's sure a lot better feeling than sitting there doing sweet fuck all about it.

Everyone owes it to themselves to try.

[–] Lifecoach5000 77 points 8 months ago (2 children)

So he had a “show” on X and now it’s been cancelled. But Don Lemon wasn’t banned from X, so the interview is on his personal account.

I guess I’m just not too informed, but what does it mean to have a “show” on X vs. just being a person who posts videos? Is there some kind of more monetization if you have an official “show” on there?

[–] [email protected] 55 points 8 months ago (1 children)

They have some kind of revenue sharing in place but I doubt it pays much seeing as the company is bleeding money and advertisers want nothing to do with it.

[–] TheKingBee 27 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Yeah it's not good.

you could average around $0.0000085 per impression.

and it should be noted actual numbers are hard to find, which is sketch.

compared to youtube's ~55%

[–] xantoxis 18 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Ashley St. Clair saying 7 G's for 840 M I L L I O N impressions is an "awesome payout number" and "really cool stuff" is the most out of touch shit I've ever seen.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

eLon goosed the payment for Mr. Beast or something did he?

[–] Crack0n7uesday 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It didn't even get canceled because of the content he wanted wanted to produce, he was demanding like an $800 million dollar salary and a brand new Cyber Truck, lol.

[–] SkyezOpen 2 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 37 points 8 months ago (1 children)

That's the sort of hard hitting journalism we expect from Don Lemon. Billionaire with daddy issues is thin-skinned, more at 11!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I don't think many people equate Lemon with journalism, hard-hitting or otherwise. He's a pundit and a talking head, or at least was at CNN.

Here, it seems he did engage in some constructive interviewing. Which is a good thing. But he certainly does not have a meaningful history of such behavior.

Hopefully this willingness to directly criticize and question power will continue, and will apply to other global oligarchs as well in addition to Musk

[–] [email protected] 23 points 8 months ago (4 children)

Elon is quite obviously emotionally stunted. Probably from drug abuse.

[–] aseriesoftubes 88 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I think the more likely explanation is that he’s a nepo baby who has never had to account for his actions, and who surrounds himself with people who tell him how great and smart he is.

[–] [email protected] 42 points 8 months ago

Never having to experience any consequences for your actions is a hell of a drug.

[–] Kyrgizion 15 points 8 months ago (2 children)

At this point I genuinely don't know whether to say he needs more or less drugs.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago
[–] unreasonabro 2 points 8 months ago

i mean, are we concerned if he becomes a vegetable? I'm not, but are we?

Then again, I'm not buying that guy drugs. Like buying gold for King Midas...

[–] [email protected] 13 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

#JustAfrikaansThings

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Drugs are good. Don't blame the drugs.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Drugs ARE good

Drugs are great

Elon can’t handle his shit is all

[–] captainlezbian 6 points 8 months ago

Drugs can be awesome. Drugs can be terrible. I’m confused that Elon managed to get really into psychedelics without developing the tiniest bit of self awareness. Like the man needs some seriously challenging trips, and maybe some ego death even.

[–] Squizzy 12 points 8 months ago

Talking about racism and Elon saying he does not agree with it being a massive factor in the country and Don argues to the contrary only for them both to agree that the US has handled it the best is just laughable.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

It's incredible how within 10 seconds Elon looks like an absolute moron.