After Quote by Rebecca MacKinnon
“Right after September 11, 2001, there weren't really any blogs in China, but there were a lot of Chinese chatrooms - and there were a lot of conversations in which Chinese netizens were saying things like, 'served them right.' That was definitely not the official Chinese government policy - which condemned the terrorists.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The Rise of Chinese Social Media, 2002, by Rebecca MacKinnon
Chinese netizens expressed hostile sentiments toward the 9/11 attackers, contrasting with the official government condemnation of terrorism.
In simple terms: People online blamed the attackers despite official condemnation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between public sentiment and official policy.
Themes
public opinion
media
politics
nationalism
terrorism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- social media monitoring
- policy analysis
- public diplomacy
Key Concepts
online discourse
state narrative
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do online platforms shape national narratives?
- What responsibilities do governments have to address hostile public sentiment?
A Different Perspective
Public anger can diverge from official stances, creating tension.
![“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/50a/jean-paul-sartre-220_condemned_man-is-condemned-to-be-free-because-once_482658.jpg)
