HSC Mangoes

[Sine]

10 hours after the exam - http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/indigenous-poet-ellen-van-neerven-subject-to-online-abuse-by-students-after-hsc-english-exam-20171016-gz24g4.html

[appleandbee]

um ok.........

Clearly unnecessary and unwarranted reaction but I'm interested to see it how it ''reads like a 4 year wrote it" (incorrect grammar LOL).

[jamonwindeyer]

The way some people have behaved is absolutely disgusting.

The memes started fine, but as soon as it went into personal attacks, really not on.

[dancing phalanges]

I completely agree that threats to the poet were completely unnecessary and thoughtless. But anyone suggesting that this was racially motivated/only because she was aboriginal are frankly kidding themselves. There's an article here which explains one of the memes with the ape: https://thoughtsbytanya.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/in-defence-of-yr12-students.html
Some people have suggested it is more than a coincidence this is the first time this has happened and that it was to an Aboriginal person which is just ridiculous because I can assure everyone that I strongly hope that those involved did not even once think to ridicule her because of her race. The memes were bloody hilarious haha but then it just descended into the poor woman getting bombarded with messages so yeah I think a good lesson about boundaries and taking things too far.

[jamonwindeyer]

I completely agree that threats to the poet were completely unnecessary and thoughtless. But anyone suggesting that this was racially motivated/only because she was aboriginal are frankly kidding themselves. There's an article here which explains one of the memes with the ape: https://thoughtsbytanya.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/in-defence-of-yr12-students.html
Some people have suggested it is more than a coincidence this is the first time this has happened and that it was to an Aboriginal person which is just ridiculous because I can assure everyone that I strongly hope that those involved did not even once think to ridicule her because of her race. The memes were bloody hilarious haha but then it just descended into the poor woman getting bombarded with messages so yeah I think a good lesson about boundaries and taking things too far.

I also find it hard to believe the creator of that meme intended it as a racially motivated attack (equally, there is no way they were thinking of the monkey paradox when they made it either). They just thought, "This poem sucks, like a monkey wrote it, OH FUNNY MEME!" That I absolutely believe.

So while I agree the media is probably running on a bit of a false point, as soon as the memes target the author directly in any way, they've stopped being acceptable. Because they are no longer making fun of a situation, they are making fun of a person. I don't believe it is racially motivated, but that doesn't mean it was acceptable, and I'd include the meme we are talking about now.

As a side note, when you post something online you are at least somewhat responsible for how it is interpreted by others. If I write something for AN and people interpret it as offensive without my intent, that is partially my fault. We are partially responsible for the messages we send out, at least in my opinion. So the fact that the meme was interpreted racially is, partially, the fault of the creator. This is why companies and individuals apologise for unintentionally offensive content.

In any event, yes I think it has been overhyped. But that meme and all the others targeting the author, rather than the work or the situation, totally unacceptable. And as you say those who contacted her directly, even worse. I'm sure 90% was just a quick stupid decision trying to get like, but I still think they should chase the people who made direct contact particularly, and make sure they understand how wrong their actions were.