Most of the people on the site are stringent Second Amendment advocates as well.
That's all fine.
The first indication that all was not as it seemed was an ad for a bracelet that would "make all the liberals turn and run": the item in question was a leather bracelet with loops made to hold bullets.
However what really upset me was a post that displayed a photo of former First Lady Michelle Obama, with the caption "If I run for President, would you vote for me?" which touched off a sickening deluge of vitriol. Comments ran from a simple "no way" to threats of grisly death, and all types of denigrating statements in between. Thousands of them.
How could anyone generate so much hatred?
The first reasons that come to mind are sexism and racism. Michelle Obama is a woman, and black. Sadly in today's society, someone matching either of those conditions is suspect and must work twice as hard as everyone else to prove their worth. Ironically, quite a few female commenters on the site wrote that they would not vote for a woman.
Let's throw in a political reason: her husband was a Democratic President and she supports the Democratic party. That's more than enough for some people to dislike her.
Then there's the reverse body-shaming. The former First Lady was always impeccably dressed, and had muscles from working out and being fit. The "women don't belong in the gym" mentality was bad enough but it also fueled accusations from some that she was transgender, prompting even more jabs from the anti-LBGT crowd.
Next is guilt by association. They hate her husband because he was black, or many of his policies were not to their liking. Therefore they hate her.
The biggest reason of all, I believe, is ignorance. Michelle Obama is a person who likes to inspire others. She is educated, classy, and morally upright. However people who do not understand (or who refuse to understand) these qualities attempt to cover their own shortfalls by creating so much negativity that anything else is drowned out.
This why I've stopped commenting on many types of posts, because invariably I get replies from people who insist on the opposite, or wrong, point of view and will not even consider anything different. I only end up shouting in the dark, or worse, being insulted or threatened.
As for the aforementioned page, I blocked it. Unfortunately there are three people on my friends list were shown to have "liked" the page, two of whom I have known for many years. I don't like the thought of having to be careful of what I talk to them about from now on, but is anyone who can like a page like that someone that I would really want to associate with?
It's little wonder I'm losing faith in humanity.
Fortunately, I haven't come upon that page and now will know to avoid it. But I share your concern for the open hatred and violence that many are expressing in similar groups across Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI have reported groups that encourage threats and Facebook consistently responds by saying they've reviewed the content and it doesn't violate their community guidelines. That's the really maddening part! If I were to post a photo of a breastfeeding woman, it could easily be removed by Facebook. But the open hatred and threats of bombing events or assassinating liberal politicians? No problem! Facebook is showing its true colours.
I tire of the hatred spewed on Facebook too but seems to be nothing we can do other than block most of it. I tire of political discussions too, as they generally turn hateful. I guess this all proves my point that I'm in better company with my dog than man!
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