The recent sinkhole in Guatemala has made CNN headlines. But perhaps more interestingly enough are the offensive comments that follow it. What begins as a running joke quickly becomes offensive. The jokes started with "cramsey" making a reference to Godzilla by saying, "Again, this is the chasm that leads to Guatzilla's lair. It will be important that we evacuate central America ASAP."
Cramsey continues to make more comments prolonging his "Guatzilla" jokes again calling on all Guatemalan's to evacuate before Guatzilla awakens. At this point, others seem to join in the the harmless joke. "Dpackwood," takes the stereo typical position of the government and calls on the Guatemalans to continue life as normal and that there is no such thing as the Guatzilla. Others joke that they went to college with Guatzilla. So far, the joke seems merely immature and harmless; however this all changes when the jokes start to develop racial undertones.
One commenter named, "Guatzilla" is coxed on by "GuatzillaJr" who asks for child sacrifices with "extra guac" or guacamole. One reader who is offended by the jokes and goes by the moniker, "anticramsey" writes that they do not appreciate the jokes that make fun of his/her country. Stormy123 writes, "The sink hole was caused by a single taco stand pouring lard onto the ground day after day for 50 years. Slowly a hole formed and sucked down 50 overweight people down to an underground river of guacamole with extra cheese floating on top. If they can hang on there is a giant subterranean lake of caramel flan waiting for them... hang on, don't be scared. You can make it."
Are these comments offensive? Or just plain stupid? Should CNN be more vigilant in their monitoring of comments in order to prevent offending potential audiences? Or is this an example of freedom of speech that should be celebrated?
Down below are most of the comments to this time (1:45am Eastern time on Wednesday June 2).
