User:KatieHinrichs/Online shaming

Notable Examples

In Sports

Meyers Leonard

On March 8, 2021 professional basketball player Meyers Leonard used an anti-Semitic slur during a Twitch live stream. Following the public reveal of the video clip, the team announced via Twitter Leonard would be "away from the team indefinitely." Additional consequences for the actions of Leonard, the NBA imposed a $50,000 fine, suspension from team activities for a week, and required completion a cultural diversity program. Issued statement of apology from Leonard: "'I am deeply sorry for using an anti-Semitic slur during a livestream yesterday, while I didn't know what the word meant at the time, my ignorance about its history and how offensive it is to the Jewish community is absolutely not an excuse and I was just wrong. I am now more aware of its meaning and I am committed to properly seeking out people who can help educate me about this type of hate and how we can fight it.'"Leonard was an avid gamer who was sponsored with over 70,000 followers on his Twitch account. The use of the anti-Semitic slur initiated action within the gaming community too - Astro, Scuf Gaming, and Origin PC all terminated their sponsorship of Leonard.

Although it is still unknown whether or not Leonard will ever play another basketball game in the NBA. The calling out and the cancellation of Meyers Leonard is an example of how an action of an individual can initiate a boycott that truly deprives their future livelihood.