Blocking is for football, not Facebook

It's 10pm, you’re curled up on the couch scrolling through your social media feed. You see puppies, babies, recipes, pictures of food, wedding/engagement pics, and grotesque amounts of selfies. The light of the TV glows in your peripheral but you’re not watching. Your eyes glaze over with boredom as your thumb continues to flick the screen of your smartphone. As you yawn and pull the blanket closer in an attempt to get comfortable, suddenly…you see it. You try to gasp but your jaw just hangs open in disgust.  Someone has posted something, something just…horrifying…something OFFENSIVE! THE HORROR! THE HUMANITY! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Ok, I’m being overly dramatic but the reality is this- human beings occasionally disagree. (I consulted Captain Obvious for that one, you’re welcome)  What’s your first reaction when you see something that offends you? Do you just “hrmph” and keep scrolling? Or do you declare digital war and proclaim “Death to that post! DEATH I SAY!!!”

I have actually seen people threaten to “un-friend” others if they post something that the other person finds offensive. Hang on, are we in Kindergarten? No? We’re adults you say? Could’ve fooled me. As I scroll through my newsfeed, I see many things that could be considered offensive. But the great thing about my smart phone is I can scroll past that “offensive” post faster than you can spell social justice.

If you’re passionate enough about a topic to be offended by an opposing viewpoint, then why would you un-friend/block someone who presents an idea that disagrees with yours?  Are you not passionate enough to defend your point of view? Blocking or removing your critics does nothing to silence them, it may in fact only fuel them. 

So what am I getting at here? I’m not encouraging warfare in the comments section of Facebook. I’m not telling anyone that they can’t or shouldn’t be offended by anything. I’m certainly not telling anyone what they should or shouldn’t be offended by. But I do want to encourage people to talk to one another when they disagree. Politely, with civility and grace. Don’t block, don’t un-friend, that does nothing to help your case, it only gives the appearance that you either a. can’t handle criticism, or b. you would rather say “bye Felicia” than actually engage in a constructive dialogue and defend your position.

Living in an echo chamber of self-assurance will only stunt your growth as a human being. It looks something like this- “Agree with me or we can’t be friends. Don’t you dare disagree with me or I will censor you!” If someone is spreading misinformation or bad ideology, and it offends you, engage them in constructive conversation, and bring some damn facts to back up your claim. Blocking them only serves to reaffirm their ideas, even if in their own mind. (you blocked me, so I must have been right)

Have I mentioned I love Christopher Hitchens?

‘I’m very depressed how in this country you can be told “That’s offensive” as though those two words constitute an argument.’ C. Hitchens.

(P.S.- Online harassment or cyber bullying is a different story, if someone truly is bothering you, please don’t hesitate to block the hell out of them)