March 28, 2024

Facebook Suspends 12-Year-Old Black Conservative Who Criticized Obama

CJ Pearson/YouTube
by Warner Todd Huston 3 Mar 2015 1872

A video criticizing President Obama—made by C.J. Pearson, a 12-year-old black conservative—recently became an Internet sensation. But it wasn’t long before the young man felt repercussions from his sudden fame. He has now found that Facebook suspended his account, and Pearson claims that the social media giant did so because of his political leanings.

The young man, a Georgia resident, made a splash, earning over a million views on his Youtube video in which he asked President Obama if he really loves America.

After he became a sensation, though, Pearson charges that Facebook locked him out of his Facebook page because the social media giant was afraid of his views.

Last Friday, Pearson found that he could no longer post to his page. He asked his editor, Alan Davidson, to alert the public about what happened.

“I am having my Editor, Alan Davidson post on my behalf on this page while Facebook continues to lock me out,” the young man wrote.

“The 1st amendment is obviously not a big concern to the powers that be at Facebook, but we will continue to fight back!” he continued.

However, Facebook claims that the lockout has nothing at all to do with Pearson’s political views. In fact, the company points to its user agreement to explain its reasoning.

Facebook’s user agreement clearly says that admins for pages must be at least 13 years of age to have the right to post. Pearson is only 12.

“You have to be 13 to have a Facebook account. This is a requirement, not a suggestion. He was locked out because he lied about his age, not because of the content,” a Facebook statement read.

The young conservative, though, feels that Facebook is using excuses.

“I would consider that complete malarkey,” Pearson told Fox. “Because in all honesty, there are many many people younger than me who have a Facebook account.”

“If they are going to stifle free speech and hinder the First Amendment, then I think there should be necessary repercussions about that,” he said.

“I think the point is this: When a person decides to speak up, their voice shouldn’t be hindered because of someone disagreeing.”

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