The scenario is this: say my wife is a first generation Italian and I am the CEO of a really great new car company. If someone says, "This is a great car, I could never say, seeing an ITALIAN making such a car!"
I would be embarrassed for the person saying this, as they don't know my family history (maybe I don't look Italian, I look like a viking, if one was to guess - which you shouldn't), and to be perfectly honest, it seems like Italians make fine cars (for a def. of, "fine")
Switch "Italian" with a minority with a current history of dealing with racism - and this scenario gets ugly, fast.
No one has a problem with that? If I was the person asking the question - or should I say, the person who looks over that dude's notes, I'd cross that stupid intro out. It bombed, anyways.
Here's the part of the transcript that's relevant:
SULLIVAN:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr. Zuckerberg, quite a story, right?
Dorm room to the global behemoth that you guys are. Only in America,
would you agree with that?
ZUCKERBERG:
Senator, mostly in America.
SULLIVAN:
You couldn't -- you couldn't do this in China, right?
Or, what you did in 10 years.
ZUCKERBERG:
Well -- well, Senator, there are -- there are some very
strong Chinese internet companies.
SULLIVAN:
Right but -- you're supposed to answer
"yes" to this question.
(LAUGHTER)
OK, come on, I'm trying to help you, right?
That was pretty awkward to even listen to. He tried to get Zuckerberg on his side, and it kinda blew up in his face.
I'm fine with people disagreeing with me, but IMHO, that was one of the most cringe-worthy parts of a junkshow hearing.
Oh. You’re not reading too much then. That is cringeworthy. Not necessarily from the jingoistic perspective (but that also), but mainly from how ignorant it is. There are countries where starting a multi-billion dollar business is virtually impossible. China is not among them.
I'm kind of the opinion that when you're brought up to a hearing in D.C. about some pretty serious shit, any pleasantries like this are merely there in an attempt to manipulate the person being questioned.
I would be embarrassed for the person saying this, as they don't know my family history (maybe I don't look Italian, I look like a viking, if one was to guess - which you shouldn't), and to be perfectly honest, it seems like Italians make fine cars (for a def. of, "fine")
Switch "Italian" with a minority with a current history of dealing with racism - and this scenario gets ugly, fast.
No one has a problem with that? If I was the person asking the question - or should I say, the person who looks over that dude's notes, I'd cross that stupid intro out. It bombed, anyways.