I'll admit, I like Facebook. I haven’t reached the level of contempt and disdain that others apparently have about it. I often hear people complain, and others swear that they are done and are going to delete their account. However, I still enjoy the communication it affords me. I like having the ability to sustain connections with people I otherwise would never maintain contact with.
I like posting pictures, and animal stories that make me cry, checking in when I am on the run, sharing amusing things which make me laugh, and I like the freedom to say what I have on my mind. I enjoy the pictures people share, especially the ones of children and animals. I am certain that not every one of my friends always cares about what I am posting, but so what? If they don’t like it, they can just scroll on by, no harm done.
I don’t like to use Facebook to express my political opinions. Oh sure, I might click on a like button once in a while or make a comment about someone else’s posting, but rarely, if ever, do I post about a current, political issue. If I feel the need to comment on someone else’s posting, it isn’t to propagate my personal beliefs, but rather to point out something in the post I feel is wrong or misleading. I am polite, factual, and as brief as I can be, at least I try, to be polite that is.
I have opinions, yes. To be sure, I have strong feelings on certain issues, and I feel I am right. But the purpose of posting my heartfelt opinion is moot – I would never be able to change anyone’s mind because other people with a disparate opinion think they are right also. Frankly, I am not even sure I would want to change their mind. I don’t consider myself a member of any particular party. I do not agree with the totality of any one party’s platform. I easily lean both right and left and sometimes, I sit on my virtual fence. I know how I feel about some issues in general, but I am open to evaluating dissimilar ideas. I am far from perfect and that is exactly why I avoid stepping into the political arena on Facebook.
I have friends who are just the opposite. From the content of their Facebook page, it appears as if the sole basis for why they post is to express political opinions. Fair enough. Just as I like to keep things neutral, they like to use it as a virtual Speakers’ Corner. And I think that is just as valid a reason for using Facebook as mine. To each his own. Fortunately, Facebook allows us to choose what we don’t want to see just as easily as what we like to see. If I don’t like someone’s postings, I just eliminate it from my feed.
That isn’t to say that I eliminate the people I disagree with, far from it. I actually enjoy the postings that are wildly different from my opinions. Some make me laugh, some make me think, and some make me search for more information. I appreciate these postings and think of them like collecting coins or pebbles - some are more fine than others but collectively, they make a nice assortment of things to ruminate on.
What I don’t like are the postings that make a broad sweep of any one group and then proceed to deride that group, often under the guise of a “joke.” These are comments, which originate from a pack mentality, and are comparable to something frequently heard on a grade school playground. These comments are oftentimes directed at religious groups, political parties, a particular sex, a state, or even a country. If you belong to a stated group, then you are laughed at, insulted, put down, intimidated or otherwise offended. My problem with such comments is that it is insulting to assume every member of a group thinks alike, as if there can be no differentiation of thought.
Not all Republicans are rich, greedy and unethical just as not all Democrats disregard the value of hard work, independent thinking, or entrepreneurship. Not all Catholics believe that birth control is evil or that gay marriage will destroy civilization. Not all Muslims are terrorists, nor are all women who wear a burqa unable to think for themselves or feel demeaned. And finally, not all illegal aliens are here to get everything handed to them. I hate comments that assume every member of a group holds the same opinions, behavior and motivation, and I dislike very much any comments that are intentionally insulting.
If I ever wanted to convince someone that my way is the right way, I wouldn’t do it by hurling insults. The only thing that accomplishes is to create a deeper divide and strengthen animosity. It is dismissive of larger issues and creates divergent paths, not allowing for dialogue.
I work in a school, a school that works tirelessly to prevent bullying and to create a safe environment for children to learn and exchange ideas. As a community, city, state, and country, we strive to wipe out bullying and discrimination. Though not always successful, we continue our efforts. I have seen insulting postings from people who if asked, would condemn bullying and say that they have worked to extinguish it. Then they fire up the computer and just do it in a different forum, but it is still bullying. I suspect, they don’t see it as bullying because they get so many “likes” on their postings and so many like minded comments. So if all of your friends think it is OK…..sound familiar?
Go ahead, post an opinion on Facebook, be angry, and cry out about things you find outrageous. It’s OK to be mad about a news story, a political event or a politician even, and it’s OK to use Facebook to comment and tell your friends. But people, please leave the insults out. I want to hear how you feel but if you make insulting jokes, comments or post rude pictures, I won’t be your friend anymore…….
Facebook is my happy place and I intend to keep it that way.
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