A gay content creator’s impassioned viral thread forces YouTube to de-monetize a conservative commentator.

A Bloomberg investigation of YouTube last April found that videos produced for an extreme, alt-right audience are just as popular as music, sports, and gaming on the platform. These channels allow for the rampant spread of misinformation, hate speech, and harassment.Carlos Maza, host of “Strikethrough” a Vox-produced YouTube show that explores the challenges facing the…

Array
Photo credit: Array – Array

A Bloomberg investigation of YouTube last April found that videos produced for an extreme, alt-right audience are just as popular as music, sports, and gaming on the platform.

These channels allow for the rampant spread of misinformation, hate speech, and harassment.Carlos Maza, host of “Strikethrough” a Vox-produced YouTube show that explores the challenges facing the news media in the age of Trump, perfectly illustrated the cycle of abuse in a recent tweet thread.

Maza knows the cycle first-hand because he has been targeted by conservative YouTuber Steven Crowder who routinely refers to Maza by derogatory terms such as “anchor baby” and “lispy queer.”

Maza says that Crowder’s comments have resulted in a “a wall of homophobic [and] racist abuse on Instagram and Twitter.”

After repeatedly flagging Crowder’s YouTube videos and receiving zero response, Maza took to Twitter to vent his frustration.


Crowder responded to the investigation by condemning those who have harassed Maza. "I have always condemned and continue to discourage any and all forms of doxxing or targeted harassment of anyone online, ok?" he said in a video response.

But he defended calling him a "lispy queer" because "it's funny and this is a comedy show" and because Maza refers to himself as queer.

Crowder's defense is disingenuous because there's a big difference between using the term queer to refer to someone's sexual orientation versus using it as an insult. His defense is tougher to believe when he uses the term "fag" to disparage people.

Crowder also claimed that the investigation was a form of corporate censorship and an attempt by YouTube to please NBC, a Vox Media investor.

Maza responded to Crowder by calling his assertions "batshit."

Pets

Service dog spots his favorite Disney character on a cruise and goes bananas with joy

Nature

New app lets neighbors know in real time if the trees on their block are thirsty for water

Generations

Gen X is redefining what retirement means: ‘We’re not afraid to blow up our lives.’

Culture

In the 1400s, a woman fought sexism by imagining a literary ‘City of Ladies’ built on 3 principles

Pop Culture

Guy finds long-forgotten album in a thrift shop, reunites the band, and is sharing their music with the world

Featured

Culture

Clothing expert explains how Norwegian sweater designs make them warmer than a wool coat

Communication

Swim coach’s reaction when toddler tries to kiss him is a masterclass in teaching boundaries

Pets

Man asks older neighbor to watch his pets and receives emotional and unexpected letter in return

Wholesome

Cristiano Ronaldo shares powerful message with soccer star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after devastating injury