April 17--There's too much meanness in the world today. Much of it happens online, a realm that's difficult-to-police, but when it happens out in the open, right in our faces, it seems reasonable that it should be dealt with -- harshly.
It appears that's not going to happen with ESPN reporter and Northwestern University graduate Britt McHenry, whose recent act of meanness was captured on video and broadcast for all the world to see.
In case you missed it, McHenry's car was towed away in Arlington, Va. At the towing company's office, McHenry mercilessly harangued an employee while a security camera picked up the whole exchange, which included lines like: "That's why I have a degree and you don't"; "Do you feel good about your job? So I can be a college dropout and do the same thing? Why? Because I have a brain? And you don't?"; "'Cause I'm on television and you're in a (expletive) trailer, honey"; and "Lose some weight, baby girl."
Charming. McHenry was classist, elitist and foul-mouthed while still managing to slip in some fat shaming. Rather than just being annoyed about having her car towed or being angry at the towing company itself, she resorted to an all-out attack on the character and appearance of the employee.
ESPN must be so proud.
Actually, it must be at least a little bit, because the network's response was to suspend McHenry for one lousy week. I'm sure the towing company employee who was dressed down will remember McHenry's insulting rant a lot longer than one week.
But apparently ESPN feels that's sufficient punishment. That along with McHenry's mea culpa, which she put out on social media: "In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things. As frustrated as I was, I should always choose to be respectful and take the high road. I am so sorry for my actions and will learn from this mistake.
Sorry, McHenry. Sorry, ESPN. That's not good enough.
Nobody can watch that video and buy that McHenry is sorry about a thing, aside from being caught. (The employee informs McHenry in the video that she's being recorded.)
She should have been fired immediately.
We all get mad. We all say dumb things. But most of us don't say cruel things repeatedly and with such apparent ease. McHenry's comments revealed a smug sense of superiority and the kind of detached meanness that has become so prevalent online and so corrosive to society.
ESPN had a chance to make a statement that such behavior from a person who's in the public eye is wholly unacceptable. The network had a chance to show that when you're mean, there are consequences -- serious, career-altering consequences.
Instead, it just delivered a slap on the wrist. And allowed McHenry to deliver a carefully scripted apology that will in no way deter another person from behaving the same way.
Mean-spirited tirades, whether delivered in person by a television personality or sent online by an anonymous nobody, hurt people. And hurting people should never be OK.
McHenry should be fired, and ESPN should say nothing more than these five words: That behavior won't be tolerated.
rhuppke@tribpub.com
