Why I Post Controversial Things

Sometimes I post something lighthearted and “frivolous” simply for the sake of breaking the stream of heavy topics on my newsfeed.  However, Facebook is an amazing way to get breaking news, keep up to date with trends, and discuss the hard issues with a broad audience.  I love good discussion, and thankfully I do have an intelligent friends list.  I’ve learned, gained new perspective, and found solidarity through various people in that online community.  I hope that as I post I’m able to do the same for others.

The thing I cannot do is stop.  I read thoughtless memes that only further the deep rooted racism, fundamentalism, and fallacious ideologies that are running rampant, not only in the USA, but internationally.  Days like today make me want to bury my head in the sand and never pull it out.  Days like today also make me want to fight for truth and justice harder than I ever have before.

I’m not claiming I have all the answers, and certainly not all the right answers, but I’m trying to be informed and to encourage others to do the same.  Most of all, I desire the rigid mindsets to soften, to recognize the humanity in each one of us.  To daily practice empathy and compassion requires a diligent and concerted effort at which I fail.  But, if you can put yourself in the shoes of someone under fire by the media, government, or a people group and imagine the ensuing challenges, see if you can maintain the same perspective afterwards.

If we agree, fantastic–we’ll still have areas where we’ll rub edges.  If we disagree, let’s speak to each other with minds that are open to genuinely hearing the other person’s ideas and thoughts.  But, above all, we can practice loving and respecting each other as human beings, if not friends/family/etc.

I’m not a hippie (I stress too quickly to be a hippie…something I’m working on), but I do care about people.

The highlight of my day today was talking with a prospective student and finding out he’s from Afghanistan.  I cannot WAIT to hear his story.  Unfortunately, he probably comes under racist and stereotyping fire frequently in the USA.  For that reason, I continue to post.