Social Media and Politics

I hated the last election. Not because of the candidates, but because of what I saw it do to my friends and so many others on the social media sites. It was brutal. Derogatory comments were slung back and forth, vicious and slanderous pictures were posted and feelings were hurt. Opinions brought about malicious remarks that made the politicians themselves look good and that’s saying something. I began to hide several people and their posts until after the election.

However, just as I thought it was safe to come out of hiding, the debate of gun control breaks loose making the elections seem tame. Now, I’m not saying people shouldn’t have an opinion or shouldn’t be passionate about their positions. However, I have always believed that the behavior of the messenger can overshadow the message and lose it in the shouting. Valid points don’t need venom to have value. You may be able to force people with a baseball bat, but you’ll win them with a soft argument and a respect of their opinions whether you agree with them or not.

The art of persuasion has been lost and in its place pressure resides. We cannot convince people, so we will coerce them. If we can’t rally them, then we’ll ridicule them, instead. The bickering banter bludgeons the brain cells and reputations are reduced to a bloody mess. It’s a sickening, sad situation.

I don’t mind seeing people standing up for what they believe and shouting it out, but the screeching needs to stop. The hypocrisy needs to stop, as well. One of the things I have noticed is that some are shouting for their rights to hold a gun while they want to deny the rights of people to hold hands. While a gun doesn’t scare them, a gay couple being married does. They want everyone to be like them, live like them, and believe like them. That’s close-minded arrogance. Everyone has the right to live in a way that brings them happiness during this journey called Life. As you don’t want people to infringe on yours, do not be the roadblock that keeps them from theirs.

We have too many restrictions and laws that are created out of fear and misunderstanding. Just because something is allowed doesn’t mean you have to like it. It only means you have to respect the other person’s right to pursue their happiness; their security in this life. For some that’s a gun, while for others it’s the chance to love who they want without persecution. For me, I would much rather see people holding hands than holding guns and see the fight for warm hearts in my newsfeeds rather than cold steel. When fighting for rights fight for everyone’s; not just yours.

*****