After last week’s devastating events in Dallas, I once again noticed an influx of extreme posts on social media, and the need for some people to simply breath and step away from what can often be a very overwhelming place – Facebook.
When highly public tragedies occur, I personally find social media to be a lot to handle. The filters come off, and what often would be people who would likely never say offensive things or attack others face-to-face, doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
Once again, much like what happened after the Paris attack, there were people cleaning out their “friends list,” working on weeding out the people who didn’t agree with their own points of view.
I think it’s fine that people surround themselves with people who share a common belief system, and it’s obviously much more enjoyable to spend time with someone that you don’t have to argue with constantly, but completely avoiding people who may have a different view on a situation is downright impossible, and maybe even irresponsible.
As much as it can be overwhelming, social media is a place where (for whatever reason) people feel they can more openly air their thoughts and views, and although I do not believe in any sort of extreme belief systems, opting rather for a more middle-of-the-ground and balanced approach, I’ve never been one to clean up my friends list, and delete people who don’t side with me, 100 per cent of the time.
Of course, mainstream media has to cover things that can be up setting, and even disturbing. But there is so much more to talk about and report on. As with many things in life, I believe balance is the key to keeping a healthy outlook, even when it seems like the outside world is falling apart.
Last week’s attack on Dallas police officers is a prime example. The news itself is upsetting; it makes a person question society in general when considering the issues that surround the attack. But, if we only focus on the news of the attack itself, without doing properly follow-up and expanding on the surrounding issues with an open mind, then there’s no room to see how we can move forward and grow.
Thankfully, there are follow-up stories done on these issues, and social media can often play a positive role in feel-good stories going viral, rallying optimism, amidst the anger and chaos.
As much as we may not want to admit, often times, social media is a reflection (of sorts) to where society is. If we want to believe it’s an evil place, then that’s what we will see, and even believe. But if we look for the good, we will find it, and hopefully that’s what will shine through, as society once again works toward healing itself.
