Thursday, December 29, 2011

"Breast Gate" Provides Valuable Lesson In Social Media

Kasey Kahne was shopping in a Mooresville, NC, grocery store yesterday when he unexpectedly encountered a woman breastfeeding her baby. What followed was a textbook example of the power of social media, and explains why some public figures, athletes and celebrities are now reluctant to comment candidly on social networking sites.

“Just walking through supermarket,” wrote Kahne on Twitter yesterday. “See a mom breast feeding little kid. Took second look because I was obviously seeing things. I wasn't!" He described the scene further, tweeting, “One boob put away, one boob hanging!! #nasty,” before adding, “I don't feel like shopping anymore or eating."

His comments ignited a firestorm of controversy and a torrent of negative feedback. One woman wrote, “I hope someday you have a kid and someone tells your wife that feeding your child looks nasty." Kahne then poured additional fuel on the fire, calling the woman, “a dumb b*tch" to which she replied, “Stay classy a**hole."

While Kahne eventually deleted many of his more colorful comments, “Breast-gate” was eventually picked up by news outlets and wire services around the world. Late yesterday, the driver issued an apology via Twitter and a more lengthy explanation on his Facebook page, writing, "I understand that my comments regarding breastfeeding posted on Twitter were offensive to some people. For that, I apologize.

“It was in no way my intention to offend any mother who chooses to breastfeed her child, or, for that matter, anyone who supports breastfeeding children,” wrote Kahne. “I want to make that clear. In all honestly, I was surprised by what I saw in a grocery store. I shared that reaction with my fans on Twitter. It obviously wasn't the correct approach, and after reading your feedback, I now have a better understanding of why my posts upset some of you. My comments were not directed at the mother's right to breastfeed. They were just a reaction to the location of that choice, and the fashion in which it was executed on that occasion.

"I respect the mother's right to feed her child whenever and wherever she pleases."

Whether or not you agree with Kahne’s stance on breastfeeding in public, there is no question that he violated the cardinal rule of social networking: “Never say something you may later regret.” Used properly, social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are valuable tools for professional athletes and other public figures. Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is a poster boy for proper Twitter use, communicating daily with fans and displaying a sense of humor that is not always on display at the race track. Like Johnson, Brad Keselowski uses social networking to his advantage, speaking directly to followers, answering their questions and sharing snippets of information on both his private life and racing career. Even controversial figures like Kurt and Kyle Busch use social networking, showing their calmer, more human side in a series of spontaneous interactions with fans.

Clearly, there are both good and bad sides to social media. Today’s digitally connected world allows an unprecedented degree of contact and interaction with the general public. But as Kasey Kahne learned this week, not all interaction is of the positive variety.

42 comments:

  1. Chuck1:57 PM

    Alright, we need proof before we can make our opinion known. With Kasey or against. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!

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  2. Anonymous2:04 PM

    Come on people get some thicker skin a nuff allready. politcly correct my @#$ Litin up people there is to much stuff going on in the world with out some stupied cause.

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  3. Lindsay2:09 PM

    What it comes down to is WHICH Kasey Kahne made the comment. Had Kasey tweeted on a personal account that he uses solely for communicating with his friend and family, quite frankly no one would or should care. (He'd have to deal with the reprocussions of his actions and comments with his inner circle.) But he chose to make those comments linked to Kasey Kahne the brand... the driver, business, sponsor representative, etc. Drivers have the right to say and do anything they want, but when they do so under the guise of their "brand name" they are no longer speaking solely for themselves. Wait, didn't Moody just have this SAME conversation yesterday about Kyle Busch. Is there an echo in here?

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  4. David Beall2:10 PM

    As I commented on other forums, I agree with Kasey's take on public breastfeeding. The invention of pumps make it totally unnecessary to subject everyone else to what should be a private moment between mother and child. That being said, I don't support Kasey's response to the women who disagreed with his viewpoint.

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  5. Anonymous2:13 PM

    I am a mom and I have to agree with Kasey. He was blindsided by boob in an unexpected area. Maybe women should think about the young men and anyone for that matter that get uncomfortable around that. Maybe plan your grocery shopping around mealtime for baby, or go out to your car to feed. It is supposed to be a loving bonding moment for mom and baby. Not Mom, baby, Kasey Kayne and all of the Piggly wiggly. And to the comment about when Kasey is a dad and sees his child brestfeeding- It is way different when it is your own child and mother.

    Nancy K

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  6. I don't understand these people, they follow celebs on twitter because they want to see the real side of someone that the media doesn't show, and then get all butt hurt when that person shows that they are human. I like to tell people that if you don't like what someone has to say DON'T LISTEN!

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  7. Anonymous2:16 PM

    I'll admit to being an old guy who sees very little purpose in Twitter. If you're interested in when or what a personality had for breakfast, or that they are shopping you have a real shallow life.
    Add in the problems people keep having from tweeting before thinking, just see no real purpose. The bad seems to outweigh the good.

    Robert Y
    Cincinnati

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  8. He shot himself in the foot when he said "I took a second look". I used to breastfeed on a bus. If you angled your head and really stared, yes you'd get to see exactly what Kasey Kahne described when my son latched off. The ONLY response if you even remotely think a woman is breastfeeding is to discretely look away, go about your business and let her go about her business NOT take a second look.

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  9. The dumb b*tch comment was over the top, but I agree with Kasey on this point: The connection that breast feeding creates between mother and child is indeed a beautiful thing, but its something the rest of the world doesn't need to bear witness to. A little discretion is appreciated.

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  10. Tom S.2:20 PM

    Perfect example of the overly sensitive culture in our country. Oh and of course it became a "NEWS" story. They love feeding us crud like this while they ignore the real stories and problems we need to face. I vehemently disagree with constant manufactured public outrage over this kind of trivial stuff.
    With all that said, calling a twitterer who disagrees with you a dumb b on a public forum when you are in a position of celebrity, is at best extremely foolish and short sighted.

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  11. Anonymous2:20 PM

    remember the days when the "Ladies Lounge", had places to sit and do this sorta thing? maybe their demise has led to it.

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  12. Seems like anymore regardless of who you are whether its in the publics eye or a regular Joe. There is always somebody lurking in the shadows just waiting to get on their soapbox and cast their wrath at you on whatever subject you happen to offend them on. A man just can't make a statement in passing anymore without thinking it completely thru. Hate it for Kasey cuz he is class in every way

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  13. Anonymous2:22 PM

    Thier is places in the mall for stuff like that and i would not want my 5yr or my 9yr to see that when i am shopping.. You can feed the kid in the car in the parking lot or a bathroom. Kid gets sick well thats a whole new story it is what it is and people get nasty with me when my kid puked in the store and people are yelling to keep your kid home if they are sick. but the kid was not sick it just happened but breastfeeding can be done anywhere out of the pubic eye.. I would be scared if a purvert comes over to you when you are breastfeeding and starts trouble.. I am just saying it may not be safe to do it.. hope i did not offen anyone its just so many things that can go wrong .

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  14. Anonymous2:26 PM

    Everybody wants something to complain about these days. Can't just give your opinion about anything without some people wanting to raise hell because they don't agree with your opinion even if it has zero effect on them.

    AW608.

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  15. It should come as no surprise to anyone that most athletes, professional or otherwise, do not have degrees in English or Journalism and, having minimal command of the English language, occasionally misspeak. When rebuked, they often get defensive, digging themselves into a deeper hole from which there is no way out. Kasey was repulsed by a mother breast-feeding her baby in a supermarket - that's his choice. To say that characterizing it using the word "nasty" was a poor choice of words is arguable, but without knowing today's pop culture, you might lose that debate. Having said that, I find it difficult to understand why a mother would find it both necessary and appropriate to breast feed in a place as public as a supermarket. What am I missing here?

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  16. Anonymous3:02 PM

    From all that I have read about this, I get the impression that the woman basically "whipped it out", as Kasey said "one boob out, and one boob put away. My wife breast-fed my kids when they were babies. She was always discrete, no matter where she nursed. There was a little opening in her blouse, so she could nurse, but no one would notice. Perhaps Kasey's use of the slang term "boob" is what set off this firestorm. If had said breast instead of boob, would it had made a difference? I don't know. It's a word that we all use. But I would never post that on Twitter. Kasey is an awesome person and an awesome driver. All of this hasn't phased me in the slightest.

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  17. Good Lord people, he stated his reaction to a situation that made him uncomfortable, he DID NOT SAY they should all be executed!!

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  18. Anonymous3:13 PM

    There is a time and place for breast feeding and the grocery store is not one, example of a lazy mother. That's why they make breast pumps and bottles. Have some respect For yourself your kid and the people around you.

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  19. Anonymous3:18 PM

    As a woman I agree with Kasey...there is a time and a place...like privately...she opened herself up to having someone make a comment...so give the man a break already

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  20. Anonymous3:22 PM

    What ever happened to modesty? and as a female I would have been as grossed out as Kasey was. I am sure her car couldn't have been more that 100 feet away.

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  21. Anonymous3:42 PM

    I disagree with "don't look". If you are out in public you shouldn't have to whatch where you look. I don't want to see a man's boob or a woman's. I've seen ladies breastfeeding and they are covered with a blanket. You know what's going on but you don't have to witness.

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  22. Anonymous4:23 PM

    I do not believe I would want to walk through the grocery store and see a woman with her breast hanging out feeding. As a woman myself, I believe I could find a place a little more private. All natural is a wonderful thing, but some things should be done discretely.

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  23. Doug M4:32 PM

    Kasey should have handled it differently. He should have known better.

    That said - why is it acceptable for someone to breastfeed in public, walking through a grocery store? I don't think anyone should be walking through a grocery store feeding their kid, no matter the type of food or delivery method chosen.

    It would be understandable if there were no other options, but that wasn't the case.

    There is zero consideration for other people these days. People do what they want, and screw anyone else. The lack of politeness and common decency these days is horrible. Selfishness rules, and the people defending it are just as bad, imo.

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  24. Anonymous5:32 PM

    COME ON PEOPLE THERE IS ENOUGH BAD!!!!!! STUFF GOING ON IN THS WORLD. GIVE THE GUY A BREAK HE IS HUMAN AND WE ALL SAY STUFF WE REGRET.I LIKE HIM AS A DRIVER @ AND HE SAID ENUFF ON SUBJECT AND APOLGIZED. YOU GUYS CHILDISH

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  25. Leave the man alone and yes breast milk can be put in bottles for this purpose OR if you have that small of a child you also should have a small blanket...THROUGH IT OVER YOUR SHOLDER!! been there I've done it....

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  26. Anonymous5:55 PM

    I like boobs

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  27. Anonymous6:18 PM

    Kurt Busch aint looking so bad now LOL.

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  28. Anonymous6:45 PM

    This is one of the stupidest things I have seen in the modern world of NASCAR/social media. "Dumb B$#@!? And Kurt Busch was crucified for walking away from an interview with Dr. Jerry? If this had been one of the Busch brothers, there would have been hundreds of thousands of irate purity testers, pitchforks in hand, heading to their homes to tar and feather them. Instead, here's a guy, featured for YEARS as a sex symbol in commercials calling a woman a "dumb B*&c%.

    I think NASCAR needs to fine him and suspend him immediately for offenses to civilization.


    And Kasey, concentrate on turning left. You are a HOIRRIBLE ambassador for NASCAR. You need to see someone about learning empathy.


    Doug from NJ

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  29. Gary from NJ7:41 PM

    If a mother chooses to breast feed her child, that is her right. Common sense should dictate that not every location is appropriate. I would have had the same reaction and done a double take, not believing what my eyes were telling me I just saw. There's a time and PLACE for everything......including breast feeding.

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  30. DAVE HASSLER9:47 PM

    FOUND MY DRIVER FOR 2012! KASEY KAHN! USED TO FOLLOW KURT BUSCH BUT HE GOT CANNED FOR SAYING WHAT HE WAS THINKING.HE PROBABLY WONT BE A FACTOR IN 2012! BUT KASEY IS MY NEW BAD BOY!!! WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? KEEP IT REAL KASEY!!! HOPE HE HANDLES THIS PROPERLY! BTW MY WIFE BREAST FEED ALL OF OUR 3 CHILDREN,PEOPLE NEVER KNEW WHEN SHE WAS DOING IT BECAUSE SHE WAS MODEST AND USED COMMEN SENSE!

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  31. Anonymous10:11 PM

    I'm sorry folks, I'm 57 yrs old the father of 5 1 son 4 daughters and 11 Grandchildren. I have seen a lot of breast feeding over the years but never in the super market. Kaseys reaction as a single young man is about the same as what my reaction would have been at my age. I understand that breast feeding is a mothers choice, the mother has the right to flop her boob out anyplace anymore. I'm sorry that a young single man had that reaction but honestly folks who wouldn't. If your butt hurt because somebody had a reaction about your boob hanging out in a public palce, so be it, butt don't go bonkers when a young single male or female makes a negitive comment about it. There is a place and time to flop your boob out and it's not in public view.

    Steve Cook
    Fresno CA.

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  32. Anonymous10:17 PM

    So wait? A pump solves everything right? That mom should have pumped so then when her child was hungry while grocery shopping she could have whipped out a bottle to feed her child. But wait?? Where do you warm a bottle in a grocery store? Oh, and then what is mom to do with her engorged breasts whilst feeding the babe with a bottle. She would be leaking all over the place, but thank goodness no one would be offended by a little skin.
    Women choose to breast feed for a multitude of reasons and convenience may be one of them. Too bad Kasey didn't have balls to tell the woman what he thought, because perhaps she could have shared with him the real reason she was choosing to feed her hungry child right there in a grocery store. May he never know the worry of having a child that is slow to grow or with a failure to thrive. No need to judge Mr. Kahne.

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  33. Ugly from NJ10:44 PM

    I'm not surprised that Kasey thinks boobs are #nasty

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  34. Look what you started now Kasey!http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/28/breastfeeding-moms-stage-nurse-in-protest-at-target-stores-worldwide/?intcmp=obnetwork

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  35. Anonymous10:41 AM

    Kasey had nothing to apologize for, he expressed his opinion. As for the name calling, did any of you read what this woman said to Kahne? Of course not, it was not published. I am female as well & I don't want to witness a breastfeeding at the grocery store & I sure as hell don't want my young child seeing it either! That being said, pump & use a BOTTLE!

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  36. Anonymous10:55 AM

    Suspend Kasey for insensitivity and being stupid. And if a boob offended him, all he has to do is look in the mirror and really get offended. To the Kyle haters, he has a smokin hot wife, why doesn't Kasey?

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  37. Anonymous11:06 AM

    Why don't u ask Kahne & Stewart & the others why they aren't married?

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  38. Anonymous2:43 PM

    I'm canceling my farmers insurance!! I think he should be kicked out of NASCAR for life!! fined 100000 bucks!! and put on a chit list for life and even after!!! I am only joking.. this is hilarious @badream

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  39. Anonymous3:59 PM

    ::::yawnnnn:::::: Don't you have anything to write about? Why not ask the Australian promoter what he thinks of Nascars' new Champion? And Kurt Busch is the devil?

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  40. Anonymous2:14 AM

    Dave!!! What is the difference between calling a fan a b word and (let's be real people kurt was talking about the camera man not the doctor) using the f word to get a camera man out of your personal area. Should Kk loose his ride now and drive for a field filler team. Cody from Indiana

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  41. Like Coach Herm Edwards said, "don't press SEND!"

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  42. Anonymous9:00 PM

    maybe he thought he was on titter, not twitter

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