Twitter’s Jack Dorsey Accused of Ignoring ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ While Promoting Myanmar Vacation

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has been accused of ignoring “ethnic cleansing” after he encouraged his followers to “go to Myanmar” following a meditation vacation in the country.

“For my birthday this year, I did a 10-day silent vipassana meditation, this time in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar. We went into silence on the night of my birthday, the 19th,” posted Dorsey on Twitter, Sunday. “I did my meditation at Dhamma Mahimã in Pyin Oo Lwin. This is my room. Basic. During the 10 days: no devices, reading, writing, physical excercise, music, intoxicants, meat, talking, or even eye contact with others.”

I did my meditation at Dhamma Mahimã in Pyin Oo Lwin. This is my room. Basic. During the 10 days: no devices, reading, writing, physical excercise, music, intoxicants, meat, talking, or even eye contact with others. It’s free: everything is given to meditators by charity. pic.twitter.com/OhJqXKInD3

— jack (@jack) December 9, 2018

Dorsey also seemed to brag about the number of mosquito bites he received, showing off the bites in classic social media fashion.

We also meditated in a cave in Mandalay one evening. In the first 10 minutes I got bit 117 times by mosquitoes They left me alone when the light blew a fuse, which you can see in my heart rate lowering. pic.twitter.com/rz59Wx9yHF

— jack (@jack) December 9, 2018

“Myanmar is an absolutely beautiful country. The people are full of joy and the food is amazing. I visited the cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan. We visited and meditated at many monasteries around the country,” he continued, adding, “if you’re willing to travel a bit, go to Myanmar.”

Myanmar is an absolutely beautiful country. The people are full of joy and the food is amazing. I visited the cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan. We visited and meditated at many monasteries around the country. pic.twitter.com/wMp3cmkfwi

— jack (@jack) December 9, 2018

And if you’re willing to travel a bit, go to Myanmar: https://t.co/9qKm78uq7o

— jack (@jack) December 9, 2018

Dorsey was quickly criticized for his promotion of Myanmar, with some users accusing him of ignoring “ethnic cleansing.”

Why don’t you visit the dark side Myanmar where the ethnic cleansing is happening and say it is beautiful.

— Deeq Adde (@Garacad) December 10, 2018

The CEO of Twitter went on vacation to a country that committed a genocide last year that was fueled by disinformation and hate spread by the government on social media https://t.co/OUZfp8a6Ec

— Liam Stack (@liamstack) December 9, 2018

-self righteous white man

— Hosp. 🔌 (@Hospey) December 9, 2018

Less than a year ago, extremist nationalist Buddhists targeted the Rohingya from their stronghold of Mandalay. How does one meditate in a genocidal country?

— Alexandra Whitney (@iskandrah) December 9, 2018

I’ve interviewed dozens of #Rohingya #refugees who shared horrific details of atrocities committed against them by #Myanmar’s military. It was only in Oct that the head of a UN fact finding mission said genocide was ongoing in #Rakhine. This thread left me utterly speechless. https://t.co/j78ttbq5pF

— Mohammed Jamjoom (@MIJamjoom) December 9, 2018

The screams of the Rohingya didn't break that silence? It must take discipline to ignore such horror.

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 10, 2018

Leave it to a rich guy to step over bodies while taking pics on his vacation.

— Anastasia_Fall 💗🌺 (@Anastasia_Fall) December 9, 2018

I see that @jack has taken the Olympic gold medal in tone deafness. Bravo. #myanmar

— Eva (@evacide) December 9, 2018

Some things Jack Dorsey didn’t mention in his Myanmar meditation travelogue https://t.co/bTVJFuFqWr by @catherineshu pic.twitter.com/AvGYFkFUBi

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) December 10, 2018

Dorsey has previously faced criticism over his trips to foreign countries, including a trip to Cuba in June.

In November, Dorsey was also criticized for holding a sign reading, “smash Brahminical patriarchy,” reportedly referring to the “highest Hindu caste” in India, during a visit to the country.

“Tomorrow if @jack is given a poster with anti Semitic messages in a meeting will his team allow him to hold it up? Why is that any different? Inciting hate against any community is wrong,” responded one Twitter user, while another user added, “Dear @jack maybe your team didn’t feel necessary to tell you this but the poster you are holding targets using the language of hate and violence people who constitute 5% or less of India’s 1.3 bln ppl. If that’s not hatred towards minorities, what is? Would you do this in the US?”

Do you realise that this picture has potential of causing communal riots at a time when several States are going to Assembly Elections in India. Even now an apology is not offered. Actually its a fit case for registration of a criminal case for attempt to destablise the nation.

— संदीप मित्तल,IPS🇳 (@smittal_ips) November 20, 2018