Hi @owasco,
I don't believe anything anyone says. I told my history classes (when I was a teacher), don't believe me. Even if I think what I'm saying is true, I could be mistaken. So...questioning is good.
While I waited for my husband's physical therapy session to end, I looked up the original source. If we don't trust the Wired account, we can trust Kirk speaking for himself. Here he is [https://rumble.com/v46i1it-thoughtcrime-ep.-28-tunnel-trouble-j-e-d-i-rodgers-vs-kimmel.html]on a Rumble broadcast, affirming the Wired report. Fast forward to about 106 minutes in the broadcast to catch him affirming the statements about MLK and the Civil Rights Act.
I agree about message creep in regard to the black women statement. There is no need to exaggerate. That statement is pretty strong on its own.
As for taking a less assertive approach in getting my job: I needed that job and didn't dare speak up without the force of law behind me. However, once I got the job, the discrimination didn't stop. They simply weren't ready for women yet. There were classes that prepared employees for the more advanced functions. They refused to send me or any of the other women to that class. I threatened them again, and was sent, with one other woman. When we sat down, the attendance book was passed around. We were not allowed to sign!!! Once again, I made an issue. Actually, I hated that part of the job (the advanced functions), but it really galled me that they were so obstinate about protect the male prerogative.
I'm not an argumentative person. I hate arguing, and I won't debate anyone. It's just, when something is wrong, it's wrong and my adrenaline flows :)))