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Twitter and Discriminatory Speech

By Maureen Francis

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

March 02, 2008 12:33 AM

Is it OK for a Realtor to use words that are inflammatory on Twitter? Twitter is basically an open text message system that broadcasts people's messages to all who care to read them.

Yesterday I ran into a tweet from a Realtor who said, "Go State. Beat the hell out of the Fag Hawks."

I understand a bit about enthusiastic sports fans and team loyalty, but "Fag Hawks!" Not sounding too PC to me. I guess the guy who made that tweet realized it was not something he wanted out there, because it is gone now. Fortunately for him, it was not indexed by Google, so the curious among you who want to find out who it was won't be able to use Google for your research. Of course, those with Twhirl and other Twitter clients may still have access to the message. I am sure that it's still out there on some cell phones too.

I saw it. It's obviously still in my mind, since I am still thinking about it today. It bugged me. I am no longer "following" him on Twitter, not that he likely cares. Frankly, I do not know him, so he has little reason to care about my opinion.

What do you think? Clearly all Realtors have a constitutionally protected right to free speech, but do we have any sort of ethical obligation to not PUBLISH discriminatory words in our speech that is not related to real estate? Most likely its just a tasteless mistake, yet it might be a lesson for all of us to think before we hit send.

Picture by johnnyphoto

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John Novak

Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV

Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

The tasteless tweet was probably in reference to yesterday's Kansas-Kansas State game. KU's mascot is the Jayhawk. In any case, this is a great reminder of how wide-reaching online content can be and that the message may carry well beyond the intended audience.

Mar 02, 2008 04:42 AM

Sandra Workman

Coldwell Banker Realty - Bradley, IL

BBA, Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, SFR, CNE, ePRO, CNHS

It's unbelievable that a Realtor would forget the basics even for a sports game!

Mar 02, 2008 06:10 AM

Maureen McCabe

HER Realtors - Columbus, OH

Columbus Ohio Real Estate

John's explaination makes a lot of sense so I will forgive the guy whomever he is. Glad he removed it.

thanks for the "lesson for all of us to think before we hit send. "

I unfollowed someone on Twitter because of political tweets that went beyond good taste... or maybe the Tweets were OK but when I got to the blog in the links I realized his full agenda. Not a Realtor ... it was hateful.. I just "moved along."

I want to read what Linda said is in Realtor Magazine too.

Mar 02, 2008 09:51 PM

Monika McGillicuddy

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH

Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Article 12 talks about on line communication...is twittering on line communication? I sure think so. I'd feel uncomfortable going down that twittering road. JMHO

Mar 03, 2008 12:54 AM

Allison Werner

To Be Announced - Middletown, NJ

Hi Maureen~ I wouldn't be surprised if google still has it. My google alerts sometimes go off about twitters that were a couple of days earlier that I didn't catch.

Mar 03, 2008 01:57 AM

Anonymous

Snowbird Sean

I should probably post this as a New Topic, but your Blog got me....I am an ex-Realtor of 30+ years and have never had a grievene filed against me, however I have been called as a witness many times and worked with the Board.... I have seen a lot of bad Realtors over the years and also some very good Realtors, thus the saying 20% of the Realtor make 80% of the money...

Here's a quick story that just happened: My Neighbor age 80 has Cancer & Diabetes who is renting from a "Property Manaement" company in AZ..... For two months I watched as he had numerous problems with plumming, heating,leaks,etc and more. Many people showed up from the PM company but they never did anything about correcting the issues of concern. ***** I got mad and visited the PM Co. and my first words were, Is the Broker available... Yes she is they replied, Great - I have a problem with one of your rentals I said, the receptionist stated, hold on I will get her, the Broker came out and said so there's a problem with one of our rentals-what's the address.... After I told her the address she stated " Oh Those Gay Guys"????? I got so mad I could hardly speak, for one they aren't gay (One is 80 and retired-the other is 50 and on the road as a truck driver).. I imediately said, that is blatant discrimination and I will make sure you are brought in front of the B.O.R. if you ever make such a comment again and you better start taking care of your renters properly like these people, perhaps you should even read the Landlord Tenant Act I said...

This is no threat I said, it's a promise I will file with the Board, it's extremely unethical for you to state what you just said and your properties also violate the law...

The next day he had everything fixed and was told they would even move him(them) to a nicer rental...

Stick up for your Rights... Property Management companies have to abide by the same strict "Code of Ethics" that a Realtor or Broker has sworn to uphold....

Mar 03, 2008 02:23 AM

#17

Anonymous

Sean Mark

The above statement was from me, Sean Mark... I go by Snowbird Sean... Sorry for any confusion...

Mar 03, 2008 02:32 AM

#18

Adam Bogle

TEN Realty Group - Ashland, OR

CRS, Southern Oregon... The Most Recognized Realto

There are so many Realtors, that hoping that all of them have the sense to know what is derogatory, is probably a little too much to hope for.

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of Racist, Bigoted, Close-minded people in this country that don't understand about the common decency of respecting their fellow man.....

Thank you for calling this guy on his unwarranted slang.

Mar 03, 2008 03:38 AM

Ann Heitland

Retired from RE/MAX Peak Properties - Flagstaff, AZ

Retired from Flagstaff Real Estate Sales

Regardless of how it was meant, or how it was used, or whether it is legally ok, it is a hate-filled word that should not be used -- Code of Ethics or not. This is the kind of thing that stirs up hate crimes and convinces our children that it's ok to bully kids who are different. If anyone doubts the derogatory use of this word, I suggest you see the revealing, but entertaining, documentary "Celluloid Closet" which has a section talking about the use of the word in movies.

Mar 04, 2008 12:28 AM

Angela Clark

Tony Clark REALTORS - Owensboro, KY

CRS, Realtor, Broker

I think it shows very poor taste and low intellect to use such terms. There's a whole lot more on the line here.

Mar 05, 2008 04:47 PM

Clint Miller

Real Estate Pipeline, Inc. - Missoula, MT

Im in complete agreeance with Angela.

Mar 07, 2008 02:29 AM

Greg Nino

RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX

Houston, Texas

I think it was in poor taste for you to use this word in your blog. It's like African Americans calling each other the "n" word, but not appreciating when someone else uses it.

Regardless of your point, you shouldn't use it here.

It's ignorant to use any derogatory word as a human being. Racism/hate are usually learned

Mar 07, 2008 03:06 AM

Maureen Francis

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Greg, I have to tell you it gave me pause to use that word, but I was quoting someone else and it would have been quite challenging to make the point without stating specifically what bothered me.

There are some gay Realtors on this site. Maybe I should ask how they feel about me using the word fag in my post.

Mar 07, 2008 03:09 AM

Greg Nino

RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX

Houston, Texas

I am not gay, but good point.

Mar 07, 2008 06:11 AM

Chrysti Tovani

Nick Sadek Sothebys International Realty - Sacramento, CA

Sacramento Real Estate Agent

No one should use that kind of language. The meaning behind it is hateful. Free speech or not, it's ugly.

Mar 07, 2008 07:10 AM

Tina Merritt

Nest Realty - Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Real Estate

While we are sort of on the subject about mixing business w/ personal on the web.....how about the Real Estate Agents on Facebook & My Space who have profile pics of themselves drinking, partying, 1/2 dressed, etc. I'm no prude, but I am embarrassed for our industry when I see it.

Mar 07, 2008 03:55 PM

William Collins

ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ

Property and Asset Management

Thanks for the post. I agree with Ann Heitland. For me it is hate filled rhetoric. Whatever the use, it is unacceptable. Anyone with any appreciation for what pain that word or similar words have caused people, would refrain from using them.

Mar 08, 2008 01:54 PM

Maureen Francis

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Anthony, thanks for your input. I have changed the title and agree with your comment.

Mar 08, 2008 07:43 PM

Debra Drummond

RE/MAX Gallery - Plymouth, MI

MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan

I think no matter where we are, what we are doing, we need to be above reproach. All it takes is one slip of the tongue (fingers, in his case) to get us in hot water.

Mar 18, 2008 04:25 PM

Virginia Tatseos

Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

A Realtor is a Realtor 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. There is no time when the can say anything inappropriate ESP. in print. Print is forever. That comment on twitter will jump up again one day and hurt the poster.

Not only Realtors --- everyone should watch what they are saying and putting in print. Look at the emails and text messages that are coming back to bite the Mayor

Jul 12, 2008 12:44 AM