I guess that you could say that, like so many people on “social” media I was triggered. I know what you’re thinking; this is old news with myself and anyone else for that matter on “social” media platforms.
It seems to me that at least once or twice a month I’ll have to repost my personal “social” media disclaimer on Facebook because someone has crossed my personal line in the sand. So for you’re reference, here is Exhibit A:
“I get that I may or may not offend people from time to time, but if you insult my family and me or get confrontational on my page and my posts then you will be unfriended and blocked. Bash me all you want on your page but don’t do it on mine and leave my family out of it. Respect is like love, it’s not given out freely, and it’s earned. Regardless of age, gender or race, if you’re going to treat my family and me poorly then I’ll most likely reciprocate. That is all. Thanks.”
And here is Exhibit B, the post that brought down the heavy-handed “social” media God’s hammer on my head:
“Miss, I don’t need or want to see your junk this early in the morning or ever. Camel Toes and yoga pants are gross.”
On a side note I posted another biting critique 24 hours later similar to the one above but this time aimed at men and it hardly registered on anyone’s moral compass. I may use this as a topic for another essay at a later date but for now here’s Exhibit C:
“Sir, I don’t need or want to see your junk this early in the morning or ever. Moose Knuckles and tight jeans are gross.”
Regardless, most people were civil on both posts but angry with me for being among other things judgmental. That being said one person took offense of Exhibit B and felt the need to insult me, my gender, race and questioned my level of maturity. Consequently their posts have all been removed because the person in question did NOT adhere to my disclaimer. In addition to this I unfriended and blocked them. Moments later I received several notifications on Instagram from them. Again questioning my level of maturity and they didn’t understand my actions. How daft can one be? Should I post my disclaimer every single day or will I ever be able to trust that people will remember to not cross my personal line again? Unfortunately it appears to be the former rather than the latter.
“Social” media etiquette is at best nebulous and at worst non-existent. My first foray into this garbage fire called “social’ media was disaster and I quit soon after. Years later I rejoined and naively assumed that things would have got better. But I was dead wrong. “Social” media remained and to this day remains to be more or less like a group of grade school bullies bullying everyone because they had a bad day at home, school, job, wherever. The difference now is that they are called “Trolls” and all of their bullying/trolling is done anonymously from the safety of distance on their computers, phones, tablets, etc. The bullying is not new but what is new is the technology. It also doesn’t help when the most powerful man in the world uses his social media platform of choice, Twitter, to belittle, insult and threaten his opponents and anyone else who disagrees with him. This sort of action from a grown man empowers his followers to do just the same. So in other words, I just called the POTUS and all of his sheep-like followers bullies and trolls. With this sort of technology thrown in the mix it makes it safe for the bullies and trolls of the world but not safe for the few of us who generally do not or have not engaged in that sort of immature harassment.
I would like to think that what goes face to face should be applicable on “social” media. If you have restraint and diplomacy face to face then you should have restraint and diplomacy on “social” media. Some people have told me to grow a thicker skin. Maybe they’re right? I don’t agree though, for if one’s skin gets so thick one usually ends up with callus. Instead of opening up one closes down or, in the case of the POTUS and his flock of sheep, becomes thick with arrogance.
Unfortunately “social” media just appears to be a reflection of the world around us. And if that’s the case then we all have to take a long look in the mirror at ourselves just to see how grotesque we have turned out to be. *
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*Just in case you or anyone you know is or may be offended by this essay, I present for the umpteenth time my personal disclaimer:
“I get that I may or may not offend people from time to time, but if you insult my family and me or get confrontational on my page and my posts then you will be unfriended and blocked. Bash me all you want on your page but don’t do it on mine and leave my family out of it. Respect is like love, it’s not given out freely, and it’s earned. Regardless of age, gender or race, if you’re going to treat my family and me poorly then I’ll most likely reciprocate. That is all. Thanks.”