‘Take your blog and get the hell out of our town’ – Some Folx from Worthington, Armstrong County Are Not Happy With Me

Content Note: racism, bigotry, rape culture

Please click the links for the backstory.

In mid-February, I posted about racist fear-mongering billboard content on an electronic billboard in Worthington Borough, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Along with describing the billboards, I shared 11 suggestions for getting involved to resist this messaging.

A few days later, the billboard’s lessee created even more atrocious content and I posted an update.

I’ve heard from multiple folks on the ground in Worthington who do not want to speak publicly. I’ve spoken with members of the media who need a local perspective to pursue a story – otherwise, it boils down to a lesbian blogger in Pittsburgh being outraged about billboards two counties away. If you are such a person – one with ties to Worthington and willing to speak with the media, let me know.

Earlier this week, I noticed that traffic to these blog posts was increasing from Facebook so I assume someone is sharing it. Then the comments began. If you read this blog regularly, you may notice that we don’t really get a lot of comments – most conversation takes place on other platforms.

Sadly, 90% of the comments are pretty atrocious, too – folx who agree with the billboard messaging. One commenter implies that they are do not agree with the billboard messaging, but it is not absolutely clear where they stand. Perhaps they will come back and clarify?

I understand that people are making a lot of calls to the Worthington-West Franklin Fire Department and they in turn are trying to connect with the billboard lessee who is allegedly wintering in Florida. As one does while manipulating hate messages remotely from your computer like a racist supervillain.

So 9 people took the time to dash off a comment on this blog, but it seems even more folks are contacting the Worthington-West Franklin Fire Department (Phone: (724) 297-3473 Fax: (724) 297-5913 and on Facebook) and the Worthington Borough folks ( Phone: 724-297-3233 Borough Fax: 724-297-3022)

I’d like to add one important emphasis at this juncture. PennDOT has zoning authority over this billboard which is apparently a brightly lit driving hazard. The State Legislators that govern Worthington and surely have dedicated PennDOT staffers are State Representative Jeffrey Pyle and State Senator Donald White. I’m unclear if PennDOT would have to grandfather this structure in or how long the regulation process would take or so forth, but it is a systemic response to both the hate messaging and the public safety issue.

Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania

Beth wonders what would happen if we had “White Business Networks” or “white ceo’s” … hmmm, I wonder what would happen …


Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania
I have to make up people to hate. I wish the man who created these billboards and the folx defending him were “made up” but they are alas too real.

Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania
Lizzy is right that I do not live in Worthington Borough, Pennsylvania. She’s a “states rights” kind of thinker and those who study history know how well that worked out for people who aren’t white cisgender heterosexual Christian men …

Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania
“This is fake racism” is a new-to-me concept. Now who do I know that I would expect to hear say that phrase?

Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania
I wonder if Josh realizes that Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day are celebrated in October, not February?

Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania
Not ashamed to admit that I had to look up Poe’s law.

Worthington Armstrong County Billboard Pennsylvania
It is uncool that Brooke prioritizes gun rights, American history, the flag, and Trump ahead of the brave soldiers. Not cool, Brooke. Also, I wonder if Brooke realizes that my blog is on the Interwebs, not in Worthington Borough?

And then this comment that I won’t approve. This is what people think it is okay to post on my blog.

Worthington Armstrong County Pennsylvania

A little taste of the blogging life. Comments are so 2009. It would be great to see some comments that don’t prop racism or bigotry or President Trump or rape, but I take comfort knowing that they are out there – if they weren’t, people wouldn’t be bothering to post these fine examples of neighborliness.

It is not so funny or wry when the rape threats start up, but that’s very much part of the blogging life for women. Always has been, always will be.

Independent bloggers are important tools in democracies. Help us resist silencing tactics with a donation today.

Dame Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench isn’t having any of it …

************************************************

We need your help to save the blog.

For 18+ years,  snowflakes, social justice warriors, and the politically correct have built this blog.

Follow us on Twitter @Pghlesbian24 and Instagram @Pghlesbian

We need your ongoing support to maintain this archive and continue the work. Please consider becoming a patron of this blog with a recurring monthly donation or make a one-time donation.       This post and/or others may contain affiliate links. Your purchase through these links support our work. You are under no obligation to make a purchase.

  • I am just curious as to what the topic is? I didn’t get the background from the article. As the LP county chair of Crawford, I genuinely detest Dump national socialism that has gripped Western PA and would like to help. Please feel to e-mail me at glenntuttle@icloud.com, FB troll me or text at (814)853-9472

    • If you click the links in the post, it will take you to the two previous posts I wrote on this topic. Those posts contain other links to the primary sources. Hopefully, that gives you the complete big picture.

      Alternatively, you can click on the tags or categories to find related content and read up for yourself that way.

      I hope that helps.

  • I live near Worthington. Why is it hate speech for whites to celebrate their heritage ? Why can’t we have White History Month ? Why can’t we have White Entertainment TV ? In Congress the White Caucus ? You liberals who are socialists define hate speech as any speech you don’t agree with. #Trump2020 #AmericaFirst #MAGA

Comments are closed.