Trayvon Martin (A Few Thoughts)
Before The Verdict
I really haven’t followed this case, but reading the comments from different news feeds tells me all I need to know. We are a troubled society. Racism is alive and well. Opinions from the general public: “They have to get him on something to avoid a riot.” “If they let him free blacks should go around beating whites up.” How can people write such nonsense? What insanity!
Input I can respect… “I pray for this country, the Martin family and the Zimmerman family. Both made decisions that resulted in negative consequences. It appears no one cares that a person died, and no one cares that a person may be incarcerated and lose his freedom. It appears everyone is concerned about which “race” will win. Sad, just sad.” – Joann M.
Many are too emotional. Emotion is necessary, but imagine a life without it: No love, no families based on that love, no compassion, no empathy, no righteous anger. Yes, emotion is important, but being too emotional is dangerous, and makes you toxic to others. Too emotional = Toxic manipulator. If you’re emotionally over-sensitive, it can be difficult to see the truth.
After The Verdict
Everything you need to know about the world can be found in the comments section of any post on Facebook. There are too many emotional crazies walking this planet. There was a trial. There was a judge, lawyers, jurors, evidence, and a verdict. That's the judicial system. Take it or leave it. It's better than the alternative. It's clear – no one wins in this case. Racism is alive and well, on all fronts. If you don’t feel justice has been served, press harder, but we must use the judicial system that’s in place.
Communication (As it pertains to the social networking world, particularly Facebook.)
The following is a response to how I view communication, and how I perceive people who want to rant excessively. As posted on my Facebook wall…
No one person was being singled out. You have misunderstood my statement. As I said earlier, no one wins, especially in this instance. I stand by ALL of my opinions. I appreciate and respect the First Amendment, people's points of view (even when they differ from my own), and rants.
I’m entitled to rant, especially on my own wall. I don’t mind having a conversation with anyone, and welcome the opposing view. However, if I already know your stance on a particular subject (topic), and we clearly know we aren’t going to agree in the future – Why beat a dead horse?
It’s a fact, people are easily wounded over their passions. Friends on common passions that disagree should never comment because history tells us it will lead to an uncomfortable situation. (BTW: I don’t know the Trayvon case. I don’t know what went on in that courtroom. I don’t know the evidence. Does that make me any less concerned? No! If you believe otherwise, that’s your ignorance, not mine. I live in the real world. Trayvon’s story is nothing new. Is it any less important? Absolutely not!)
It’s imperative everyone feel their emotions, but when they come with a dose of ignorance, sarcasm, hate, etc. – you lose me. The comments in many of the news feeds are atrocious, from both sides. That answers your question about 'emotional crazies'. (I made the following comment on my Facebook wall, “I dislike emotional crazies,” and a friend was looking for clarification of the term.)
It’s worth saying, I disagree with several of my fundamentalist friends on religion. We know where we stand, and we like each other too much to end the friendship over a passion, so we just agree to disagree, and they don’t comment on my wall posts about gay rights, and I don’t comment on their wall posts about school prayer. It’s a win-win situation. I call it smart communication.
That doesn’t mean I don’t take to my own wall to dispute their philosophy, and I do that politely by sharing their links on my Facebook wall, thus adding my two cents (because, sometimes that’s all I have).
I have friends I love dearly, but loathe their politics, so we just don’t go down that road. It’s about respect. I’m not really into ugly disagreements, especially with people I care about.
Finally, let’s not forget the tragic events of the day (on any day), but a little less bitching and a bit more praying for understanding and peace would be so much better, particularly in a world that’s imperiled. – paerki
Quotes I Can Appreciate
“Wait for that wisest of all counselors, Time.” – Pericles
“It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.” – Vincent van Gogh
