I have never been one to shy away from using my voice. I have learned over the years that having an opinion is the backbone of our individuality. Our beliefs and ideals are just that, ours. We have a right to share them and we have the intelligence to know that not everyone will agree with them.
Social media has taken our tiny platform from parties and get-togethers to an extreme level and our opinion, should we choose to voice it, is subject to a wide array of conjectures and unpredictable feedback. These days there is a very thin line between anything and political correctness.
Lately, I think twice before I post an update on my page or even post a response to someone else’s post. For every nine people who simply click the thumbs-up button to give you a like, there is that one person who can turn a simple post into their newest crusade. They will mock you for posting it, they will admonish those who liked it and they will go to great lengths to channel their strong feelings and bestow their opinion upon everyone else.
Yes, some posts and memes can cross a line or two…but are we not allowed to maintain some sense of humor in light of what is going on in the world these days? If we dissect everything we see and find offence in the slightest bit of offside rhetoric, we are bound to be very unhappy people in the near future.
I have a very open mind and a very twisted sense of humor and there are things on social media that I have found to be distasteful, even repugnant, but I have not ostracized the person who posted it….I have merely moved on and chosen not to engage in a conversation that wasn’t worth having.
My mother used to say, “it takes all kinds to make the world go around”. Now, more than ever, I know what she meant. But it also takes all kinds to show some compassion and understanding and realize that we are all entitled to our own opinion without fear of recrimination.
I agree with you and commend you for not taking the bait but for choosing to move on and show compassion. Having said that, whilst thanks to the First Amendment everyone is entitled not only to have an opinion, but to the freedom of voicing it, I think, as recipients, we are also entitled to shun anyone who is disrespectful, nasty, racist or demeaning. I have blocked trolls from our blog, whose comments were too vitriolic or just plain mean.
Nicely put. I’m not one who enjoys confrontation and conflict (but some thrive on it) so I move on when I read something offensive. Besides, if a person has that much hate, my opinion won’t make it all go away.
Your last line hit the nail on the head. Thanks for stopping by!