It’s easy to imagine the media publicizing threats directed at a black 12-year-old after calling out “racist comments” – except in a case like this, that is.
CJ Pearson, a 12-year-old conservative, made headlines earlier this year after criticizing President Obama for “downright hatred” of America on YouTube. He’s again in the news after telling actor George Takei to “shut up and sit down” for “racist, bigoted comments” directed at Justice Clarence Thomas – a move that resulted in threats against him and his family.
When Takei called Justice Thomas a "clown in blackface" and a "disgrace to America” after the judge’s dissent in the Supreme Court gay marriage ruling, Pearson took to YouTube to express disgust.
“I am sick and tired of the left calling us racist, calling us bigots and calling us people who don’t care about black people,” he said. “But yet, when they say that someone’s going to ‘blackface’? Then well, it’s ‘A-OK.’”
On July 3, Pearson announced on Facebook that a Twitter user threatened him and his family for his comments.
“I had a horribly rough night on Twitter after a woman not only threatened to sue me for expressing my opinions but threatened my family,” he wrote. “At this point, I've decided that it's best for me to take a step back and evaluate all of my options before continuing down this path.”
“In the meantime, I do have a team that will be monitoring my social networks while I take some time to spend with my family,” he concluded, “Please keep me in your prayers.”
Pearson placed Ali A. Akbar of consulting business Vice and Victory in charge of inquiries during his break from social media. With Pearson’s permission, Vice and Victory posted a few of the hostile tweets, by a woman named “Mona Hussein Obama”:
In response to those tweets, The National Bloggers Club, Inc. created a tax-deductible fund to help CJ with his blogging and “show him encouragement.” The fund has already reached – and surpassed – a fundraising goal of $2,000.
“CJ Pearson was attacked online for sharing his concern about the racist comments made by George Takei regarding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas,” the site explained. “In return an online Twitter user made racist remarks and death threats to CJ and his family… The user also threatened to sue CJ.”
“This fund is set up to assist CJ’s bright future and ensure his effective voice isn’t diminished,” the site continued. “Will you #StandWithCJ?”
Pearson’s last comment on social media came July 4th, when he thanked those supporting him on social media.
“Happy Birthday, America,” he tweeted. “Also, thank you all for your #StandWithCJ support. It truly means a lot and I am deeply humbled. Signing back off.”
While Pearson suggested running for President in 2040, he’s now “determining if my path in politics is worth continuing.”
While Fox & Friends Weekend noted the “12-year-old Obama critic,” other broadcast news shows (ABC, NBC, CBS) have yet to do so.
UPDATE: Akbar also publicized this threat at Pearson on Twitter:
UPDATE: Akbar announced on Facebook that the Pearson family pressed charges against "Mona Hussein Obama," or Mona Brown from Maryland. Brown issued an apology for her tweets. Pearson responded that, as a Christian, he is "deeply thankful for her apology" and forgives her:
Pearson also thanked his supporters on Facebook:
