TIME magazine announced its Person of the Year on Tuesday, sparking intense criticism on social media. The 2018 title went to “The Guardians,” a group of journalists, including slain American journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Capital Gazette staff, Philippine journalist Maria Ressa and Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were detained in Myanmar while covering the Rohingya genocide.
The Guardians—Jamal Khashoggi, the Capital Gazette, Maria Ressa, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo—are TIME's Person of the Year 2018 #TIMEPOY https://t.co/HvoEaW5oUi pic.twitter.com/9Mr0wBTmvj
— TIME (@TIME) December 11, 2018
According to the Washington Post, each of the honorees were chosen for their efforts in exposing “the manipulation and the abuse of truth” throughout the world.
Many took issue with TIME’s decision to award journalists, which they viewed as poor form in a modern cultural climate of perceived extreme media bias.
"We're a pretty big deal, you know." – journalists awarding journalists Person of the Year
— Cuffy (@CuffyMeh) December 11, 2018
Journalism plays a key role in a free and self-governing society, but in order to play that role well it needs to protect itself from outside manipulation. By promoting Khashoggi as person of the year, @TIME fails massively. https://t.co/FqX08QzM7B https://t.co/pkMSNS2tcn
— Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) December 11, 2018
In 1966, Islamist newspaper editor Sayid Qutb was killed by an Arab leader. He was also the father of the modern jihadist movement, and an inspiration for terrorists everywhere.
If it happened today, he'd be Time Person of the Year. #JamalKhashoggi pic.twitter.com/R1ddAG7dfM
— David Reaboi (@davereaboi) December 11, 2018
Fake News is Time's Person of the Year: https://t.co/DMVow8tNtS
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) December 11, 2018
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( • . •) Who wants to be
/ > ?> person of the year?!{__/}
( •- •) Never mind
?< We are.— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) December 11, 2018
Following the Person of the Year announcement, commentator and former news anchor Greta Van Susteren took it upon herself to offer her own unofficial nomination:
I know Time Mag is picking its person of the year today…but I am also picking mine. It is @iamrodneysmith – click on his name and go to his twitter feed and you will know why he is my choice. Tell me if you agree w/ me. Thank you
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) December 11, 2018
“I know Time Mag is picking its person of the year today…but I am also picking mine,” she wrote. “It is @iamrodneysmith – click on his name and go to his twitter feed and you will know why he is my choice. Tell me if you agree w/ me.”
Let’s make our own list 🙂 and put @iamrodneysmith on top..maybe others on twitter will agree and RT and give him the ‘shout out’ he so deserves as he has earned it …the old fashion way..just doing good for others https://t.co/QheSZnystr
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) December 11, 2018
“Founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service | We provide free lawn care to the elderly, disabled, single moms, veterans,” reads Rodney Smith Jr.’s Twitter bio.
This past summer, he gained international attention after embarking on a journey across America to mow lawns for needy people in all 50 states.
The Raising Men Lawn Care Service founder told CNN earlier this year that he started the organization to bless the less fortunate, but also to inspired able-bodied youths to serve their struggling neighbors.
“This is what I believe my purpose is in life,” he said. “I’m just a man on a mission by God.”
Smith regularly posts updates of his travels on social media. This Christmas season, the Alabama native hit the road to spread hope to homeless and unemployed Americans.
For Christmas Tony said he wanted a brand new pair of boots or a home . I got him a brand new pair of boots and a two night stay in a hotel near and $100 cash . Wish more could be done for this veteran . Thank you for your service & Merry Christmas ! pic.twitter.com/1KEFRc9xIw
— Rodney Smith Jr (@iamrodneysmith) December 10, 2018
For Christmas Holly wanted a Cell phone so she can get contacted by future employers. So I got her a cellphone and also $100 cash . She has a interview later this week with a program for housing . I hope she gets it pic.twitter.com/1qyyxsvw57
— Rodney Smith Jr (@iamrodneysmith) December 11, 2018
Ho ho, ho. Hello NY. I'll be in NYC today. I know where to find my friends in the homeless community here . pic.twitter.com/7qKNIttuuc
— Rodney Smith Jr (@iamrodneysmith) December 11, 2018
Van Susteren’s recommendation garnered wide support among her followers.
“Rodney Smith is the epitome of an American hero. He is what America is all about!!!” one Twitter user wrote.
“Absolutely agree! One of the most selfless people I see. He has worked so hard to help people. We need more people like him. A great person!” added another.
“He proves that one selfless person can truly make a difference!” another follower wrote.
To donate to Smith’s inspiring cause, visit his foundation’s website here.