There are many things I love about social media and there
are many more things about the medium that I absolutely cannot stand. One of
those things that I can’t stand is luckily something that doesn’t occur too
often, but then again does way too often in my opinion.
That thing is seeing a “friend” (Facebook or other social
media friend that is) saying something racist or incredibly offensive.
It’s quite disheartening when you see something racist or morally
offensive on social media from somebody that you used to be friendly with or
were acquaintances with. It’s disheartening for multiple reasons. It’s
upsetting that opinions and thoughts like that are out there in the first
place, but it’s even more so infuriating when it’s someone you once liked or at
least spent time around. Knowing that you once were near someone with attitudes
and opinions like that and at some point likely shook their hands, gave them a
high-five, shared a joke or played ball with them in some little way makes you
feel at least a little bit nauseous.
These aren’t people you want memories with. They’re people
you’d like to say, ‘What the hell is wrong with you? Have you always been this
way?’ to.
Luckily there is this outstanding feature on Facebook and
other social media sites called the “unfriend” or “block” button and you can
figuratively throw these people and their ignorant opinions and comments out of
your life for good. Unfortunately I’ve had to utilize this option a few times,
most notably when a former acquaintance wrote a Facebook note referring to
President Barack Obama as a racial slur. You can have your opinions on the
President, that’s perfectly acceptable, but referring to the President of the
United States as a slur is unacceptable. That makes you trash and I won’t be
associated with trash, even if it’s just through a social networking site.
One of my favorite things about social media (which actually
seems to be something that many don’t like or appreciate) is that it makes the
opinions of people easily accessible. I love sharing my opinions with others,
both people I know and do not know, which doesn’t come as a surprise to anybody
who knows me, and is very likely the reason some of them have ‘blocked’ me.
Opinions are great because you can agree with them, disagree
with them, debate them and influence with them. Opinions have lead to many of
the greatest conversations I’ve ever experienced; they’ve also lead to some of
the worst. Most opinions, whether you agree or disagree with them, should be
respected. However, those that embark on racist or offensive territory cannot
be respected. They cannot even be tolerated. And, they will get you blocked.
It’s not fun to have to block somebody you know because of
racist or morally offensive opinions freely posted on social media, because at
some point in the past something about that person, even if only miniscule,
made you like them. But, if you do have to block someone for their ignorance it’s
not something to feel bad about because it’s obvious that person was never
worth knowing to begin with.
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