I dedicate Tuesdays to cover current new and events, whether domestic or international, in a feature I like to call "Talk About It Tuesday."
We've all heard the story by now. If you haven't let me fill you in.
While we were finishing Thanksgiving leftovers, Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Representative Stephen Fincher, posted a facebook status attacking the Obama girls. President Obama delivered his traditional Thanksgiving address, joined by both Sasha and Malia. The girls seemed less than enthused to be there, especially Sasha. Most outlets poked fun or enjoyed the girls' expressions and rawness (I even posted Sasha's expression on instagram), but Ms. Lauten was offended. She wrote an open letter to Sasha and Malia telling them to "try showing a little class" and that "then again your mother and father don't respect their positions very much, or the nation..." she even attacked what they were wearing.
The status went viral. It made major primetime news like CNN, MSNBC, and FoxNews. Twitter went in a frenzy and come Monday morning when we were all clocking back in at work, Ms. Lauten had deleted the status, exclaimed her deepest apologies, and announced her resignation from the House of Representatives.
Quite the Thanksgiving Break.
I first heard the story and judged her. On top of running communications for a Congressman, she also runs her own communications consulting firm. "How in the world did she make this mistake?! She should know what's untouchable or what to say on social media! How dare she speak about the Obamas while working for the House?!"
Then I thought about it. I have been Elizabeth Lauten.
As a rising legal/consulting professional, my personal opinion about my co-workers, supervisors, or others in my field of work is irrelevant and inappropriate to share in the workplace. However, I would be lying if I said I didn't voice my opinion on my twitter page or upload a snapchat video sharing my less than enthusiastic position about my previous working situations. I upload statuses that express my grievances with everything from the United Nations to Beyonce.
Now I agree that children are completely untouchable and I do believe Ms. Lauten crossed the line, but where exactly is that line?
Ms. Lauten shared her personal opinion on her personal facebook account - an application that allows you to share moments and thoughts amongst a private community of selected family and friends.
Among other things, upon graduation I plan to work in political consulting. This incident made me consider deleting (one of) my twitter accounts. It made me think that once I do get hired, I cannot necessarily be as vocal with my personal opinions.
We live in a very open-sharing world. one where an experienced and educated professional can be fired for a tweet or status. It made me reflect on Justine Saaco and Amy Strickland, both professionals who uploaded offensive messages on their personal accounts that resulted in risking their job security.
As a professional, where is the appropriate outlet to share your personal opinion (no matter how stupid)? Is there another place outside of happy hour? Can professionals have personal social media accounts? Are they always "On Duty?"
