Social media. It is such a prevalent part of our culture. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat right at the click of a button. A flood of outraged tweets, a timeline full of political beliefs, instant video uploads and snap judgments. Hashtags invented and hashtags criticized. Privilege on display and still unnoticed. Outrage. Hate. Blame. Shame. Advocacy. Resistance.

That is the world we live in. The world where you are left to question friendships based on their Facebook posts. The world where equally deplorable crimes result in some labeled as hate driven and others are just seen as the pulling of the race card. The world where some fear sharing, or liking, or posting. What will people think? What will people say? Will this change an opinion? Is this what they really think? Is this who they really support? Why don't they get it? Why don't they understand? Am I wrong? Are they wrong? Who is to blame? Finger pointing and hurt feelings and sorrow and confusion. Utter disarray. In this world that we live in, l this social media-filled world. The world where depending, often on your region of the country and your friend list, you can be destroyed just by sharing what you believe in. The world where you want so badly to help your friends understand that this nation is not quite post-racial. That the things said and done are hurtful and cruel whether they affect one group of people or every group of people. The world where you become a part of the problem by saving face and saying nothing. The world where you begin to wonder what's the point if even the new generation is already being poisoned by the sins of their fathers. How do you win? So you get into a comment section argument. So you share a video or two. So you enable people to share their opinions as they are entitled to in this free nation and question unfriending them at every turn. So you watch, and you wait, and you wonder just what good can I do. How can this one post, this one share, this one rant help? What will this solve? Will people turn their backs on me once they realize my voice might just be a little too loud? Will I lose those I love because what I value they don't even begin to measure? Will I end up bitter, hurt, angry? Wondering about every post, questioning every share, and constantly scrolling only to be enraged and disappointed.

Social Media. While it is full of benefit, it sometimes gives birth to the very opposite. These are questions that have plagued me for some time. I too have been at a loss for words when it comes to articulating to those I love why I believe what I do, or why that post bothered me, or even just attempting to understand their point of view. But, I realized something. I realized that the big moment I'm waiting for. The moment where people stop thinking only their beliefs are the right beliefs. The moment where people realize that they may have certain privileges in this world that make their life easier. The moment when they stop and put themselves in the shoes of others. Analyze every post, and share, and supportive like before throwing it out there for the world to see. I realized I won't help anyone get there if I am a part of the problem. If I do the same things that bother me on social media and expect my ranting opinion to sway them.

I realized that social media will not cure social injustice.

I realized that it is my life and your life. Our example. Our explanations no matter how draining and repetitive. Our education of others. That will make the change. Me and you as much as it takes for however long it takes. Talking and listening and being with people face to face in real life(what a foreign concept). Starting the conversation. Not angering when our opinion is not immediately regurgitated to us. Living with patience and showing that patience to those with whom we disagree. Trusting in a savior that calls us to imitate him and being the change that we wish to see in the world. Destroying people's bias with the way that we live and enlightening them when they think we are a rare exception. Bearing down every day and standing up for what we believe, but doing it with grace. Going high when they go low. Being the change... not just ranting about the need for it.

So, I ask: would you join me? This year... start the conversation. Acknowledge the privilege that we all have in some form. Listen, really listen. Research. Be Educated. Give grace as freely as you breathe. Don't depend on a like or share or comment to change an opinion or to give yours. Don't rely on social media alone to get the message out. Be the message. Be the change. Just try it. I don't know why but I can't shake the feeling that though it won't be easy it will be worth it.

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”- Martin Luther King Jr.