A couple of years ago I decided I was tired of every political comment on Facebook turning into an ugly and heated exchange of entrenched (and usually prescribed) ideologies, and quickly devolving into childish name-calling and personal insults.
It was obvious to me that most people don’t really think through the beliefs they choose to align themselves with, but what was worse was realizing how the social medium was being used to divide us and sever whatever connections we might have had with each other. In many (if not most) cases with Facebook relationships, these are people we knew long ago in school or in the military, in college or perhaps an old job. They are people we otherwise didn’t bother maintaining contact with simply because life tends to lead us away from each other as we pursue our own paths. We wish no ill will toward them, but didn’t feel close enough to preserve a level of contact with the person other than fond memories and well wishing.
That was exactly the thing I loved about Facebook. The ability to reconnect with people I truly thought I would never see again.
I had no illusions that they would all share my political views. In fact, in the little town I come from, I knew that 99 percent of them had radically different political and religious views from me. I was always able to get along with many of them however. Those who accepted the fact that I had my own views anyway.
Technology has drastically changed the way we interact socially however, and we humans have not evolved quickly enough yet to maintain the same level of civility that we would have in a face-to-face conversation.
I’m reminded of a scene in the film Biloxi Blues, a semi-autobiographical story by Neil Simon. While in Army basic training he was constantly journaling and when someone grabbed his journal and started sharing what he was saying about his other platoon members they became outraged, leaving him with the realization that by simply putting something in writing you give it much more power than it would have if simply spoken.
When political memes are shared on Facebook, the intention is to get a “damn right!” validation from like minded people, but it’s also to irritate those who disagree. And if you disagree, the least productive thing you can do is engage with your argument to the contrary, because your disagreement is in writing. Not only that, it is being expressed to all of the poster’s friends and family. That makes it a challenge to ideology and if written with a condescending tone, is a public slap in the face to which response is necessary in order for them to save face.
At this point, good luck maintaining any civility. Feelings have been hurt and someone’s ideology and intelligence have been questioned publicly, and of course things quickly spiral out of control. Friends become un-friended and like-minded people entrench themselves further in their views, limiting their ability to listen to differing opinions and engage in real give and take conversations.
This is why I withdrew from political discussions on Facebook and I don’t regret it at all.
Facebook is for friendly chit chat. This will be my forum for real discussion.
That said, I still have a point of view and I still feel very passionate about certain things. I am pro-veteran and anti-war (the two go hand-in-hand in my mind). I believe in religious freedom for all, not just for Christians. I believe in equal rights for everyone, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. I believe the overwhelming evidence supporting global warming compiled over more than 40 years of research as opposed to the “I’m not convinced” answer from a handful of “scientists” who are on the payrolls of big oil moguls. I believe there is a point where someone has too much money, when millions are starving and dying and some have more money than they could ever need or ever spend but greedily hoard it and grab more and more to throw on the pile. I believe that the Republican party and the Democratic party answer to the same bosses; the billionaires who fund both campaigns, purchasing influence so that only their agenda gets pursued. I believe the rest of us no longer have a role in our government and arguing left vs. right is not only missing the point, but a foolish participation in a distraction from the reality of the plutocracy we are living in. That’s right, I called you a fool. If you’re still arguing Reps vs. Dems and conservative vs. liberal, you’re a sucker. It just isn’t about that anymore.
So as I said, I have no regrets about cutting out the political discussion on Facebook. I want Facebook to be a place where I maintain friendly relationships with everyone regardless of differing opinions. I don’t hate anyone for having a different opinion. I believe everyone is entitled to their own, and everyone walks their own path in life and has their own reasons for what they believe. I get it.
I don’t however, want to continue in silence. I have to express myself. I’m a creative person. It’s what I do, and I’ve been silent too long.
