All Jokes Aside: How are there no consequences for Melania Trump's plagiarism?

SPECIAL EDITION

I woke up this morning to a news story that blew my afro back. Melania Trump, a woman who may very well be our next First Lady, stole significant portions of her speech from none other than, First Lady, Michelle Obama. Yes, a section of Melania Trump's speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, was, according to Brad Plumer of Vox.com, "virtually identical to a passage from Michelle Obama's convention speech in 2008". (See what I did there? I gave credit to the actual writer of that phrase... because... integrity.)

*Pause*

CNN FaceBook Post

https://www.facebook.com/cnn/photos/a.369810096508.159795.5550296508/10155056623656509/?type=3&theater

Yes. Pause. Because I need a minute to wrap my mind around all that is implicated by Mrs. Trump's actions. I am a reference and instruction librarian at a local community college. Believe me, I get the whole "I need help writing my speech" dilemma. You can't figure out the right words, you're stuck on specific details, you know WHAT you want to say, but not HOW to say it... then you see it! Already written perfectly...Eureka! The answer to all your problems!

"I'll just add their words to my speech!"

 *cue lights from heaven and angels singing* 

But the cold hard truth is that what you just did and what Melania Trump did was plagiarism, taking someone else's work and passing it off as your own. In an academic setting, plagiarism can get a student kicked out of school, get a professor fired, and ruin his/her reputation for life. Don't believe me? Ithenticate.com is a service that helps prevent plagiarism (for a small fee). They list 5 consequences of plagiarism as

1. Destroyed student reputation
2. Destroyed professional reputation
3. Destroyed academic reputation
4. Legal Repercussions
5. Monetary Repercussions

Interestingly enough, none of these consequences seem to be happening to Melania Trump or her staff of writers. CNN.com just posted 46 minutes ago, "No one to be fired after Melania Trump speech plagiarism episode."

No. Like for real. 

The Republican National Convention is not English 101... This is an event which serves as the precursor to choosing the man or woman who will lead our country for the next four years. Mrs. Trump didn't open the door to get the mail and find the RNC at her door demanding she give a speech. No. There was a TEAM of people whose charge it was to make her and Donald Trump look good. And not one of those people will suffer any consequences. 

But more importantly, if they don't care about stealing someone's work on national television, where everyone can see them... what does that say about their character? their leadership? their integrity? Or even just their common sense?

Although I see no legal consequences for Melania Trump's transgression, the Internet has provided an onslaught of comic relief during this difficult time. Difficult, because we are shown, yet again, that the United States' leaders are not even held to the academic standards of a 5th grader. Melania Trump's plagiarized speech was disrespectful, dishonest and dishonorable. But the Internet will not let Mrs. Trump slide! For that, I am grateful. 

Thanks Internet for the unlimited supply of meme-ry! (Yes, I made that word up... I do that  sometimes). Keep on dragging, America. You're making me proud!

Til next time, 

Peace and Light

Afro Librarian

Sources for this blog:

Krieg, Gregory, Bradner, Eric, & Scott, Eugene. No one to be fired after Melania Trump speech plagiarism episode. CNN Politics. CNN, 19 July, 2016. Web. 19 July, 2016.

Six consequences of plagiarism. Ithenticate, 2015. Web. 19 July, 2016. 

Photo Credit: The Bright Light from Heaven. By Indy Kethdy https://www.flickr.com/photos/indykethdy/5208804978