If you search through my favorited tweets on Twitter, or the posts I like on Facebook, you would think I was a political activist, shouting my opinions from the rooftops for all to hear.
But if you look at my actual accounts, I don’t post anything like that. I follow along certain with politicians on social media, but wouldn’t dare to comment on anything and risk getting attacked by a stranger in the comment section. But that doesn’t make me a bad person.
When I interviewed to write for Odyssey, I said that I would love to write about politics. But since saying that three months ago, I haven’t written anything political or slightly opinionated. But only because it is terrifying to share your opinion on the internet. There is so much hate and divide in this country right now that its hard to post something slightly political or opinionated and not get attacked. In fact, I’ll probably face some negative comments for this article itself.
I don’t post anything like this on social media, because I don’t know what to say that would even help. As a Christian, I want to offer my thoughts and prayers to victims of the recent tragedies, but I know I’ll be ridiculed for “not doing anything”. Or someone will say something like, “Why doesn’t your God stop all this?” I’m sick of hearing that. Sometimes, that’s all someone can do. Sometimes, that’s all I feel I can do. So instead, I just sit quietly behind a screen, and hope and pray that one day things will be better.
Don’t tell me to go vote, because trust me, I did, and I always will. I have voted in every single election I have had the chance to since turning 18. But things haven’t really gone how I wanted them to. Even down to the local elections, they haven’t gone as I hoped. That’s so discouraging to me. Don’t tell me to go protest, because that isn’t something that I’m comfortable with. I don’t think I have it in me to yell while holding a sign. That just isn’t me.
I have different views from many people in my family and friends. One of the reasons I don’t share political posts online is simply that. I don’t want to get into fights with people who I love.
And I’m sick of the excuse of “people who support bad candidates are bad people,” because sometimes, they really aren’t; they just have different views. I’m not going to delete and block these people on social media because they still exist in my life, and they still share their views with people beyond Facebook.
And I’m sorry, but getting into a 60-comment long Facebook fight with someone isn’t going to change their mind. It's only going to make your blood boil and want to unfriend and block someone. That really isn’t on my to-do list for the day, or any day really. I love the people in my life, even if they do have differing political views. So because of that, I don’t post on social media.
I’ll talk to my friends in person about politics, but only if they share the same view. I don’t want to get into an argument with anyone about topics that I believe have simple solutions. Most people aren’t willing to change their views based on one argument with a twenty-year-old.
I have strong political views and opinions, but I don’t share them. The things I want to say will get ridiculed. The things I want to say would get me into a Facebook fight with someone I went to high school with. The things I want to say could be considered to be unprofessional by an employer.
So I guess what I’m trying to say here is, just because I don’t post anything on social media about politics, doesn’t mean I don’t care. Because I do.
