This blog is dedicated to writing about my growth or at least my attempts at it. I haven't had anything to write about in that respect lately but today that all changed. Facebook has been my social life line for a while now. I started playing games on it, socializing, keeping up with friends, sharing pictures with family in town and out and just generally keeping in touch with my world from home. I've felt much angst towards it for a little while now - starting really with the chick-fil-a issue. When all that was going on I kept my mouth shut on social media. The most I did was make my cover photo say "Straight but not narrow". However, this election was the straw that broke this camel's back for social media. I realized today that my facebook is essentially my "other life". I don't speak out about issues, I stay quiet so as not to offend anyone - mainly people I know from the mom's group, B's family and really my own. In this I realize I have stayed in my comfort zone in allowing people that I know think I'm like them. It's a complete cop out. I don't speak up for fear of the after effect. Because of this 95% of my news feed the last couple of days has been Romney, Romney, and more Romney. Now it's full of people crying, "throwing up" and going on about how they "don't understand how this could happen in our country", "what has this world come to". But it goes further than just being upset their pick didn't win - it goes way into the area of pure hate. Hate for people that are different than them whether it be poorer, democrats, of different sexual orientation, color, etc. Complete intolerance.
Why do I not allow myself to be who I *truly* am? Because I'm terrified of the fall out. I'm terrified of being labeled as different. I'm a blue in a completely red state. Up until today I've justified it with just that - I'm a blue in a red state. I'm a nonreligious person in the bible belt. I don't want it to be held against my daughter. I don't want to upset my husband's family. But is it really worth it to keep my mouth shut? In a way it is - social media isn't the place to argue the hard points with people who aren't willing to listen. Typed words are easily misinterpreted as there is no inflection in tone used. But the realization that these people know that I'm "friends" with them on facebook and they can just assume that I'm on their side because I don't say anything different makes me nauseous. What do I do - do I say what I really think and deal with the fall out, do I just delete them or do I just stay off facebook since nothing I say would really make a difference in what they think?
I'm not saying they were wrong in their choice for who they voted for - I'm a strong proponent for "to each their own" but I have absolutely no tolerance for hate - whether it be obvious or shrouded with words. That's my issue with these people - so yes, my friends list will be much shorter after tomorrow and yes, I am going to reevaluate the "safe" zone of social media. I'm challenging myself to being "me" everywhere - not just where it's safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment