A Moratorium on Partisanship and Hate – Please

With everything else in an uproar lately, I can’t tell you how disheartened I am by the number of people who still insist on bringing politics into the fray and condemning each other on line. I don’t bring up politics online specifically because it’s such a delicate subject. I don’t bring up religion either. In years past, I remember my candidate winning some of the time and losing others. I never hated the other side. I didn’t always like the opposition and I certainly didn’t (and still don’t) always agree. I might have voiced that opinion privately, but I never hated the folks that didn’t agree with me. That’s what democracy is all about. You can disagree with what I say, but geez does that make me stupid or evil because we disagree on policy or philosophy or choice of candidate? I see incendiary posts on FB from people… family and friends that I know and like… that are brutal. Is this some hidden, mean, hateful side of them that I’ve neglected to see before? Do they mean me personally? I certainly take it personally.

Every day I see reposts of memes and statements (many taken out of context) filled with profanities, comments that are vicious and venomous and many times just untrue. Before reposting, perhaps checking out the original source of the statement might be a valid exercise. No, Queen Elizabeth II has NOT tested positive for coronavirus as of this date. Try validating on the Literacy Project, for instance, before you spread misinformation.

https://newslit.org/get-smart/

Innuendo, conjecture and gut feel are not fact. Because you saw it on FB doesn’t make it true. Before looking at just the negatives, perhaps weighing the positives as well might be prudent. Maybe a bit more objectivity might be in order. Know that every time you repost something that is untrue or only half true, every time that you demean someone who disagrees with you and you call them names, you are making the matter worse, not better. You might feel a little better venting, but you are adding to the divisiveness that is so rampant in our country today. Instead, as difficult as it seems, please… let it go.

The coronavirus is not partisan, sexist nor racist. It strikes Republicans as well as Democrats, all colors, males, females and non-binaries alike. It doesn’t seem to prefer Christians over Jews or Muslims or Hindus. It’s an equal opportunity virus and threatens us not only physically, but emotionally. Focus your anger on the real enemy… the virus. Don’t look to place the blame on those opposing your political affiliation.

This is a time when we should be rallying in support of each other, not dragging each other down and calling each other names. It’s a time to show compassion for those who are suffering, not only from the virus, but from isolation and despair. It’s a time to stay informed, not misinformed. It’s a time to stay connected, not disconnected. It’s a time for generosity of self and spirit.