There’s no telling when the next big news is going to come from, but social media’s quick response to it is certain.
Social media is a powerful and effective tool in changing the world in these modern times. Through social media, people can help in tackling world’s biggest challenges, from human rights violations to climate change, and many more. It’s more than just bringing together activists, it’s also about holding human rights violators to account. According to Esra’a Al Shafei of Mideast Youth and Melissa Tyas of Crowdvoice, “Content shared on social media has increasing potential to be used as evidence of wartime atrocities and human rights violations”. Social media doesn’t only give us an easy access to information, but also freedom to take part in meaningful conversations.
Recently, an 11-day conflict ensued between Israel and Palestine that resulted in deaths and destruction of infrastructures in the Gaza Strip. With such terrible news, I also wanted to take part of the conversation. Although, as someone from the “outside,” I’m not sure where to stand. The celebrities that expressed their opinions on the matter and got cancelled out didn’t help. I thought to myself, do I have to be part of the conversation? Am I being apathetic if I don’t say anything?
With these questions, how should we react and use our social media platforms for good? I’m in no authority to tell anyone what they should do, but in discussing sensitive topics, isn’t the first thing to do is be sensitive? Here are some things we could consider first if we’re not sure where to stand on the next big news of the world.
Context Matters
The surge of information that flood our timelines could overwhelm the truth that has to be seen and heard. The varying opinions of people add to the confusion in knowing the root of the matter. So wherever we stand on certain issues, it’s important to contextualize and do extensive research about them.
The meaning of communication is shaped by the context in which it’s delivered. That meaning can be completely altered by delivering it in a different context. Thus, knowing the context of the topic will prevent you from offending anyone, and losing your credibility.
Compassion Should Come First
In expressing our thoughts on important matters in social media, we should not forget who are we doing it for. Aside from truth, you can never go wrong when your heart is at the right place. If your motive for sharing something is pure, it could produce an effective impact to someone who needs it.
Compassion is a tangible expression of love for those who are suffering. It recognizes the suffering of others and then take action to help. The opinions borne out of compassion is not self-gratifying. It doesn’t expect a tap on the back, and aims to give the attention to where it needs to be and to alleviate suffering.
Courage Varies
Expressing our thoughts in social media is a courageous thing to do. You make yourself prone to judgement, sometimes to danger too especially if you are openly political and opposing the government. For those who don’t have the same tenacity, they are inevitably tagged as apathetic. It shouldn’t be because courage could take many forms. According to studies, there are for types of everyday courage: moral, intellectual, disciplined and empathetic courage, and they all require explicit practice and discipline.
Silence in social media doesn’t mean cowardice. We have different ways of viewing or assessing situations, we also have different ways in dealing with them.
Courage is not only shown when taking charge, but also in stepping back. It’s going to take so much humility and courage to admit that probably our opinions are wrong or unnecessary. Courage could also mean accepting that certain issues can be way beyond our capacities as human beings and perhaps even admit to the need for divine intervention. Or sometimes we just need a bit more time, a bit more effort, a bit more empathy.
The reason why we often feel the need to react or post an opinion in social media is because we want to make things better. Wherever you stand on certain issues, the goal should always be to produce something good out of your shared opinions, even if it’s done behind a computer screen and a username.
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