Clara Jeffery, editor-in-chief of Mother Jones, recently expressed her displeasure on X (formerly Twitter) over a flight attendant’s use of the phrase “blessed night” on an Alaska Airlines flight. Jeffery interpreted the remark as an encroachment of “Christian nationalism,” suggesting that more neutral terms like “great” or “fantastic” would be more appropriate. Her comments have faced backlash from both conservatives and some left-leaning individuals, highlighting the growing tension around expressions of faith in public spaces.
Creeping Christian nationalism alert: @AlaskaAir flight attendant just wished us a “blessed” night as we landed in SFO (!) to groans. Other adjectives that would have sufficed: great, awesome, fabulous, amazing, fantastic…
As my rowmate said, “this ain’t Montgomery, sweetie.”
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) September 28, 2024
Jeffery’s reaction exemplifies a broader issue within progressive circles, where perceived microaggressions are scrutinized to the point of alienating those with traditional values. This hypersensitivity not only deepens societal divides but also risks portraying progressive outlets as detached from the mainstream. The editor’s insistence on “neutral” language raises concerns about whether such standards are truly inclusive or merely exclusionary towards those of faith.
Respectfully, I’m a pretty left leaning guy and I wish folks a blessed day fairly often. It’s just a nice thing to say
— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) September 28, 2024
Conservatives argue that such criticisms are indicative of a broader anti-Christian sentiment within progressive circles, where any public acknowledgment of faith is viewed with suspicion. This sentiment was echoed in responses to Jeffery’s post, where some commenters defended the flight attendant’s use of “blessed” as a harmless and well-intentioned expression.
Jeffery’s post also included a controversial comment about her rowmate, stating, “This ain’t Montgomery, sweetie,” an apparent reference to the Alabama city. This remark drew additional criticism, as many saw it as an inappropriate comparison that inadvertently invoked racial and socio-economic connotations. Her tweet has since sparked a broader discussion on social media about the fine line between personal comfort and over-policing language.
As a longtime @MotherJones reader, this tweet from its EIC is embarrassing. At their best, MJ does some of the best investigative reporting out there; at their worst, they come across as the archetypal smug liberals looking down their noses at the vulgarity of the lower classes. https://t.co/rRQNrmUYlE
— David O’Brien (@Davidinsacto) September 28, 2024
Mother Jones, as a progressive magazine, has faced its share of controversies in the past, with accusations of inconsistency in its editorial stance. In 2016, the magazine faced criticism for allegedly portraying white nationalist Richard Spencer in a too-positive light. In 2017, the publication came under fire from contributor Glenn Greenwald for what he described as dehumanizing language used in an article on homelessness. These incidents have called into question whether the magazine’s commitment to progressive values is as consistent as it claims.
Jeffery’s reaction can be seen as part of a broader trend of progressives policing language to a degree that even well-meaning, benign expressions are deemed problematic. This approach not only alienates those who hold traditional beliefs but also risks creating an environment of self-censorship, where people are increasingly hesitant to express even the most benign sentiments.
While Jeffery’s intentions may have been to advocate for inclusivity, her reaction inadvertently underscored the growing disconnect between progressive ideology and mainstream sentiment. The incident reveals the potential pitfalls of overzealous language policing, which can be perceived as an attempt to suppress expressions of faith and culture, thus contradicting the inclusivity it seeks to promote.
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