social justice warriors
be the change
screaming about things online
thought police
imagine all the people living in peace
Screaming About It On Social Media Doesn't Change Anything
By StacyB
@Srbageldog (7716)
United States
August 18, 2017 3:20am CST
I don't normally post about politics. Mainly because I know how that just leads to arguing and people getting mad at each other. But lately I've been seeing some of my online friends making broad generalizations about how if you don't speak out about the injustices they're screaming about, you are against them and must be a Nazi.
Screaming about social injustices on social media literally changes nothing. It doesn't make a damn difference. It is no different than sitting at home on your butt doing nothing. That's basically all they're doing. But they think that bombarding Facebook with their outrage somehow makes them better than people who choose to not post about it. I guess it makes them feel like they're doing something when in reality they are doing nothing.
If they really cared about a cause they could get off their butts and go out and protest, or rally to get laws changed. But, no, that would require actually doing something, and we as a society are pretty lazy. I guarantee you that seeing the same people sharing the same angry posts about the same topic over and over again is not changing anyone's views that they would want to change. Insulting people who might be on your side but who choose not to scream about it on social media just pushes those people away. It disturbs me that so many people are intent on trying to police other peoples thoughts nowadays. People like to scream about not standing by and doing nothing but then when something tragic happens they stand by and film it on their phones instead of doing something about it. Maybe if people were a little less hateful toward each other and showed a little more kindness, the world would move toward being a better place -- for everyone.
46 people like this
38 responses
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Aug 17
All mouth and no action! These are the people I unfriend, I have told people that to make a difference to call their congressman because no one on facebook or any other social media site will change anything, all blow bags and it does make them look stupid calling people names.
Or even more stupid is.... they think if Trump is out of office that a democrat will take office... Nope the Vice Pres steps up, Its just sad that they have nothing better to do that stay on facebook day and night ranting.
15 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Aug 17
Trump was elected as a disrupter. Someone who would shake up the "good old boys" network and shock people into actually doing something instead of just complaining. Very few people actually expected The Wall to be built, as an example. We wanted someone to shake up D.C., to make our public "servants" uncomfortable. To tell those public servants that we are their damned bosses and they'd better straighten up and fly right and start doing their damned jobs. I really don't expect Trump to be president for 4 years but I hope his tenure opens some eyes and empowers the people, brings home to them that they are the boss, not the fat cats in D. C.
5 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
@andriaperry It baffles me that people think if Trump gets impeached that a democrat will suddenly be declared president. I know people who are still staunch Hillary Clinton supporters even though she would never be granted the presidency. It's like they don't understand how our government or election process works. And a good chunk of those idiots were hollering all through the last election cycle but then they didn't even go out and vote!
9 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 17
But even Pence would present a more "presidential" face and the inflammatory tweets would thankfully stop.
8 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Me too. I try to avoid even liking any posts that some people might disagree with for fear that they might see it and start drama. People just seem nuts when it comes to politics these days.
5 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
19 Aug 17
@Srbageldog I totally agree with that , most people are armchair critics who don't sum up to anything.
2 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
But the public has to get in touch with their lawmakers and also go out and vote. Many people here just loudly voice their opinion on social media and then don't follow through by voting or letting their congressmen know how they feel about certain issues.
3 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Yes the hate is rampant online. People do indeed get so worked up.
6 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
18 Aug 17
@Srbageldog Yes it is..it can work you up alright..
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (41447)
• United States
18 Aug 17
What an excellent post! Your words make a lot of sense.
7 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Thank you! I am glad to know I'm not alone in feeling this way.
5 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 17
I am on FB but not daily and see little of that sort of thing. I would unfriend (have once) people that I find offensive or simply ignore them.
6 people like this
@divalounger (6123)
• United States
30 Aug 17
ignoring them helps @JamesHxstatic
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
I hide most the people who do this sort of thing, but I don't like the idea of unfriending people whose opinions are different than mine. I did unfriend a couple people during the last election cycle simply because their constant rants on social media became too much to deal with.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
30 Aug 17
@divalounger I live in such a liberal state that my FB friends are almost all of one mind.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Personally we as a Society have gotten very lazy. But I have found many times Politics is what can make or break a relationship. Some of these issues are stupid. We need to get back to the basics and live instead of finding fault and judging everything all the time
6 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Agreed. In the past it was easier to avoid discussing politics because most people knew it was a topic to avoid in conversation. And if you had that one relative who liked to rant about politics, well, you knew not to invite them to certain social gatherings! Now people are obsessed with politics without even being too educated on what they're loudly complaining about. I wish people would just go back to living their lives and stop being outraged over every little thing. There is always something new to be offended over.
4 people like this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
18 Aug 17
I agree with you there. Screaming and yelling does nothing except give you a sore throat or if you are on social media then sore fingers. Getting mad about things you cannot change is a waste of time, however everyone has an opinion and is entitled to express it. If expressing an opinion leads to dissent and argument then maybe less expression is called for if you don't care for the heat. Maybe these people should give their opinions to their congressmen, maybe it might have an impact.
5 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
Exactly. They should be directing their angry opinions at their congressmen, not their friends on social media. When I feel strongly about a cause I write my representatives, or even write a letter to the editor of the local paper to express my thoughts. But there is a right way and a wrong way to try to persuade people to see things your way; yelling and cussing at them and calling them names is not the way to do it.
4 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
18 Aug 17
Keyboard warriors... that is all they are. Unless, they actually go out and do something more that making all those posts online.
5 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
19 Aug 17
@Srbageldog I have a favorite saying when it comes to voting/not voting - You have no right to complain about the government if you did not participate in the past elections.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
@allen0187 I completely agree with that saying.
2 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
You are exactly right. I know several keyboard warriors who admit they never vote. So then do their voices even matter?
3 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51969)
• Philippines
19 Aug 17
That's just human nature, his is now the consequences people face now because of freedom of speech. But there's nothing we can do about it, no matter how wished for a less hate world, people just can't help it.
5 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
I find it funny that they are so hateful while preaching against hate.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
I often say that I hate people, but in reality I believe in kindness and treating others the way I want to be treated. That seems to be too much to ask for some I guess. They are so many mean-spirited people nowadays.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
It's nice to know so many agree on this. But sad that we all feel we must keep quiet.
2 people like this
@KristenH (33385)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
18 Aug 17
I wholeheartedly agree that in order to make a difference, we need to be more proactive. I've heard about how Facebook and other social networking outlets are bringing down those profiles of white supremacists and such in the news this week.
5 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Good! That will make it harder for them to organize things among themselves and also limit their ability to recruit new members to their cause.
3 people like this
I agree with you.
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
Glad I'm not alone in feeling this way.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (180854)
• United States
19 Aug 17
Yes, those who feel so strongly need actions to back it up, but we also know what that can lead to..so use caution. I would be more in the mode of calling your legislator.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
20 Aug 17
I agree, they should be directing their outrage towards the people who CAN try to change things.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
19 Aug 17
You have stated the case very well. We are indeed in the unenviable position where if you don't condemn excess on the right you're considered a Nazi and if you don't condemn excess on the left your considered what we used to call a Commie. We have lost our center.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
20 Aug 17
I have seen both sides condemn those of us who fall in the middle with our views. I wonder when Americans decided that other people don't have the right to their own political opinions? Why must we all think the same or be condemned for it?
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
18 Aug 17
And every slight, real or imagined must be broadcast on social media....that your hamburger was undercooked, that your child was disciplined at school.....none and nothing is above being decried on social media.
5 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
Yep! Instead of simply calling over your waitress or walking back up to the counter and letting the cook know that your burger was undercooked, it's easier to snap pictures of the offending burger and broadcast it all over social media so other people can be outraged, too. Or instead of talking to your child's teacher like an adult or even accepting that your child deserved to be disciplined, you must write a lengthy, passive-aggressive letter and then plaster it all over the web. After all, how can your posts go viral if you address these things like an actual adult and then go about your day? Oh, the outrage!
4 people like this
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
18 Aug 17
they lost my patience and respect for their freedom to express their view through free speech once they started instigating confrontations and yelling over others so the opposing arguement cant be heard.
whether on the street or on the internet, they are doing more harm for their cause than they are good.
4 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
I absolutely agree with you. It disturbs me that anyone thinks they have the right to try to infringe on others' rights to free speech. No one has the right to decide who does and does not get to express their views here in the U.S.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
19 Aug 17
@Plethos Ditto. I believe everyone in the United States has the right to express their views, whether we agree with them or not. Trying to shut down opinions we don't agree with doesn't make them disappear, it just frustrates and angers people more and creates a larger divide.
5 people like this
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
19 Aug 17
@Srbageldog - i dont agree with their stance, but i do respect their right to say it. btw- i do not shout over them when they discuss their view with me, they should return the respect.
4 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
18 Aug 17
I agree with you - totally. I know a lot of morally conscious people who make me feel like I can't say anything. People hating on Tina Fey for suggesting that people not protest in response to rallies .... why was it wrong of her to say that? It's sort of the same as saying that if you ignore a bully - they will go away when they no longer get attention from you. But oh no, that's wrong, some people feel she's sticking up for the neo-Nazi...
4 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
It's incredibly frustrating to say the least. There is nothing wrong (in my opinion) with Tina Fey's suggestion. It's the same as ignoring a child when they are behaving badly -- they want attention, any attention, even negative -- so you deny them the attention by ignoring them when they display that behavior. They learn that their temper tantrums don't get them the attention they desire and then they stop.
People are so overly sensitive anymore, I'm honestly afraid to say anything most the time because I don't want to deal with the thought police jumping down my throat and labeling me a Neo-Nazi sympathizer or something else equally ridiculous. And that's just wrong, we shouldn't be bullied into silence.
2 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Very true. We must ask ourselves, what are we busy spending our time on? Are we wasting it bit*hing about stuff or people we can't control? Or are we using social media and in person building and culminating friendships and partnerships. Doing good, making the world a better place. It's all in how we use our time. And thats what counts
5 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
18 Aug 17
Agreed. I have made some wonderful friendships thanks to social media, and I think it can be a great tool for helping people when they're in need (such as when a friend's granddaughter was diagnosed with leukemia and we were able to help with the medical costs through a GoFundMe campaign.) Things like that are a positive of social media. But so many people just bit*h about things that we have no control over, or that are impossible to change overnight. Some of these people I know in real life and I know they are not being proactive about these causes outside of social media. They are not calling their congressmen, they are not going out and marching in protest, some of them are not even going out and voting. I guess they assume if they holler about it on social media it somehow makes it the rest of the population's responsibility to vote the way they want them to.
3 people like this
