Courtesy and respect would seem to be common sense whether dealing with people directly or indirectly, as on social media. In the latter, it’s likely that writing behind a screen filters the ability to have compassion and respect for readers. Regarding politics, consider if you would say the same thing in person or let it go.
Many social media users wisely avoid politics in their personal posts. Others may only have their own profile page to express themselves. It’s not a subject I bring up in person unless I know someone is an ally. However, it’s an interesting subject to write about.
Personal Profile
Everyone gets their own profile page to represent themselves however they want except for threats, hate speech and graphic violence, according to Facebook rules. However, there are other considerations.
On the positive side, it’s possible to educate by raising awareness about issues and including credible sources of this information. Without a credible source, misinformation is often easily spread leading to negativity and polarization. It helps to balance political posts with positive or other innocent content.
I stopped scrolling the newsfeed about springtime when malevolent memes were surfacing. Memes are usually creative, clever, endearing or funny including political ones. Unfortunately, there are derogatory ones and they’ve all come from one side. There’s obviously no regard for those on the other side. My only reasoning for this is by nature, Liberals are more open and unguarded while Conservatives are more cautious and discreet.
There were a couple posts I felt like responding to but thought twice. If I respond opposing someone else’s view on their OWN timeline, there could be a backlash. Not only from the original poster but from their friends who may jump in escalating trouble. In other words, mind your own business. However, it becomes my business when it shows up in my feed. A good way to counter this is to unfollow this friend, at least until the political season is over.
An important takeaway from national etiquette expert, Diane Gottsman, is “Political shaming can be disruptive, destructive and ultimately ineffective when splashing your views all over your timeline. It has the potential to leave a lasting impression long after the president has been sworn in and life has returned to business as usual.”
More About Memes
Memes are derived from the Greek word “mimeme,” as in “imitated thing” − malleable and intangible, states Psychology Today. That in itself is telling. One doozy I saw claimed that a certain candidate was going to cut social security and it actually said “fact checked” with a check mark, as if that makes it official. This fear-mongering toward senior citizens comes up in every presidential election cycle against the Conservative candidate.
According to factcheck.org, Donald Trump spoke of “cutting waste and fraud in those programs – not benefits.” However, Joe Biden posted on social media and said in speeches that Trump “wants to cut Social Security and Medicare.” Words can easily be manipulated but who is actually going to look this up? A downside with social media is the impulsiveness that doesn’t lend itself well to critical thinking.
Groups & Friends
Most Facebook groups have a rule warning against politics but there’s always some who have to slip in a wisecrack. Oftentimes the Admin doesn’t see it but others do. While it’s common courtesy to scroll past a disagreeable post in a personal feed, it should be reported in groups. Groups are often a safe haven but politics can easily ruin the setting.
Some groups have led to friends but also friend requests from THEIR friends (strangers). It’s important to check profiles either way. One request I saw had lots of posts of Asian people smiling, shaking hands and embracing. It may have involved an Eastern religion with a very peaceful and kumbaya impression as I continued to scroll downward.
And then. There it was. The head of Adolf Hitler surfaced with a mean face. The words read “Evil doesn’t die… it reinvents itself,” with Trump’s head and scowl-face underneath. The post was dated July 13, the day he was shot − posted publicly. Amazing. This person went from kumbaya to promoting hatred within one scroll.
Social media can be used to benefit everyone involved instead of leaving bad impressions by posting misinformation and other insults. Users posting (politics) multiple times a day could find a more productive way to channel passion or frustration by getting involved with a chosen party. Visit websites to find ways to help locally. Even if homebound, volunteers are needed to make phone calls. The political season is only temporary yet will resurface like other seasons.
“With every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Does writing on a computer change the message that we might say in person? You betcha. Once you print something, it’s out there and feelings are affected one way or the other. Beware.
Having a credible source for anything that we say is most important. It is the only sensible way to go. Many are just too lazy and just go with hearsay.
Memes can be very cool. An imitation to convey an idea, but often used for the wrong ideas. The reduction of SS benefits every four years against the Conservative party is a good example. Taking a few words out of a sentence and making the wrong meaning is out of context and provokes the wrong idea.
In a court of law, a common trick used often for one side is to say something terrible about the other side. The lawyer yells they object. The judge agrees and tells the jury to forget what was just said. Strike it from the record. Yeah, right. Who is he kidding? It’s out there. No forgetting is possible.
Etiquette and respect should be taught from the early years to all people.
That’s a good example about what can happen in court. It’s definitely something to keep in mind to accidentally ‘on purpose’ let something slip.
In social media groups, someone always has to let something slip and it indeed makes you look at someone a different way. You don’t forget what someone said. It’s also very difficult to present an opposing view to someone who is hell-bent in their ways w/politics.