Why This Progressive Reporter Thinks YouTube’s Move Against Steven Crowder Was ‘Infantile’ And ‘Ridiculous’

Matt Vespa

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 @mvespa1

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Posted: Jun 06, 2019 4:10 PM

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Source: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File

Well, YouTube has decided to demonetize the account held by conservative commentator and comedian Steven Crowder. Why? Well, Vox writer Carlos Maza was the apparent target for Crowder for a couple of years. He did use insulting language. He did create a t-shirt that was equally insulting. You can search that for yourself, but let’s just say it was very, very politically incorrect. Still, it’s free speech. Anyways, the Crowder demonetization event has led to yet another instance where a big tech company appears to have succumbed to the social justice warrior lynch mob, whose goal is to purge conservative from all spheres of sociopolitical life. Mr. Maza appears to support that aim. Gregg Re of Fox News has more:

The episode began May 30 with a viral Twitter post by left-wing Vox personality Carlos Maza, which contained video montage of derogatory comments Crowder had made about Maza in the past two years. In the various clips, Crowder variously refers to Maza as an “angry little queer,” a “gay Mexican,” and “Mr. Lispy queer from Vox.”

Maza, an openly gay partisan activist, has himself previously used aggressive language on social media. “Milkshake them all,” he wrote May 21, referring to right-wing activists. “Humiliate them at every turn. Make them dread public organizing.”

On Tuesday, YouTube initially responded to Maza’s complaint with a statement explaining it would take no action.

“Our teams spent the last few days conducting an in-depth review of the videos flagged to us, and while we found language that was clearly hurtful, the videos as posted don’t violate our policies,” Youtube wrote at the time. “As an open platform, it’s crucial for us to allow everyone–from creators to journalists to late-night TV hosts–to express their opinions w/in the scope of our policies. Opinions can be deeply offensive, but if they don’t violate our policies, they’ll remain on our site.”

The company added: “Even if a video remains on our site, it doesn’t mean we endorse/support that viewpoint. There are other aspects of the channel that we’re still evaluating– we’ll be in touch with any further updates.”

[…]

On Twitter, Maza wrote, “I don’t know what to say. @YouTube has decided not to punish Crowder, after he spent two years harassing me for being gay and Latino. I don’t know what to say.”

[…]

…on Wednesday, YouTube apparently changed its mind about Crowder.

“Update on our continued review–we have suspended this channel’s monetization,” YouTube wrote, adding that Crowder would have to make fundamental changes to the entire channel if he wanted the decision reversed. “We came to this decision because a pattern of egregious actions has harmed the broader community and is against our YouTube Partner Program policies.”

[…]

Maza indicated he was not satisfied — and explicitly called for sweeping and fundamental changes to YouTube as a platform.

[…]

He added that he wanted larger change: “The problem isn’t Crowder and the problem isn’t monetization. The problem is that @YouTube allows monsters and bullies to become superstars, break YouTube’s rules, build an army of loyal, radicalized followers, and then make millions selling them merch that sustains their work.”

YouTube maintains that its committed to free speech, but this is just one of many instances where Silicon Valley, a left-wing bastion, has cracked down on accounts that are operated by conservatives. Crowder is a comedian. In Re’s lengthy piece, he noted that some of the remarks Crowder made about Maza were based off what the latter has said about himself. Maza has referred to himself as queer—he’s openly gay—and speaks with a lisp. “Lispy queer” is one of the terms Maza said Crowder has used to harass him. Crowder responded by saying he was merely using Maza’s own words—and he speaks with a lisp. It’s a comedy show and Crowder is not one that adheres to political correctness. YouTube said that monetization could be restored if he removed the link to his merchandise. Yet, it’s not just conservatives who are raising many an eyebrow over this move by YouTube. Michael Tracey, formerly of the Young Turks, and unabashed progressive writer that has been on a tear ripping liberal media figures for peddling the Trump-Russia collusion myth, called Maza a “crybaby.” In fact, his tweets about the Maza-Crowder war are, well, brutal.

“If you’re too emotionally fragile to withstand insults and mockery on the internet, maybe don’t choose a profession that entails espousing provocative political opinions online,” Tracey wrote. “Insults and mockery are not “abuse” or “harassment.” You’re an adult, not a child in a classroom.”

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Now, he did call Crowder an unfunny blowhard; I disagree. Full disclosure: I know and consider Crowder a friend, being one of the first people I met at BlogCon Charlotte hosted by FreedomWorks many moons ago.  Still, Tracey added, “but Carlos Maza is professional adult journalist employed by a major media organization — not some kid being bullied on a playground. The idea that YouTube needs to ‘protect’ him is ridiculous and infantile.”

In a separate tweet, aimed directly at YouTube and big tech, Tracey aptly noted “social media companies invent brand new policies out of thin air whenever an elite journalist throws a hissy fit, and then wonder why their policies so often appear incoherent/unenforceable. You can’t craft rational, neutral standards when you’re constantly placating outrage mobs.”

Yes, folks, believe it or not, Tracey is no conservative, though on Trump-Russia and this, he’s right on the money. And even on issues where you find him disagreeable to mainstream conservative thought, he’s a decent follow to get the Left’s perspective. I’m sure this won’t be the last time a conservative account was targeted by social media.