The Atheist Blogger

You will have no doubt heard that atheist activist Rob Sherman, the man who got shouted at by Illinois State Rep Monique Davis for being an atheist, has been named as the “Worst Person in the World” by Keith Olberman:

Rob Sherman’s crime? Calling Monique Davis a “negro” on his website. Now I don’t admit to knowing all of black history, and coming from England, a place where blacks have had freedom for many many years now, I obviously don’t have much experience with racism. However, it seems to me that the term “negro” is not racist when used in a perfectly legititmate context, such as referring to the oppression of black people or “negroes”. Why else would an organisation exist called the “United Negro College Fund”? If “negro” is such a racist slur, why haven’t the UNCF been prosecuted?

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What with all the pressure put on her by the blogging community and the media, and the mere fact that her outburst has travelled around the globe in a matter of hours, it was just a matter of time before Illinois State Representative Monique Davis apologized to atheist activist Rob Sherman.

For those who still need a memory refresh, the transcript of the outburst (which happened whilst Rob Sherman was testifying against the Governor for donating public money to fund a church) is here:

Davis: [. . .] I’m trying to understand the philosophy that you want to spread in the state of Illinois. This is the Land of Lincoln. This is the Land of Lincoln where people believe in God, where people believe in protecting their children.… What you have to spew and spread is extremely dangerous, it’s dangerous–

Sherman: What’s dangerous, ma’am?

Davis: It’s dangerous to the progression of this state. And it’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists! [. . .] I am fed up! Get out of that seat!

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