I have taken a bit of a social media break because, frankly, I found myself preparing for a fight before I even checked my notifications. Everyone seems to have a reason to be mad these days, and, probably due to the fact that we’re social distancing, social media seems to be extremely busy with post after post of arguing and ultimatums. Social media has allowed relationships to become easily disposable.
Just yesterday, I was tagged in a comment on someone else’s post and was told by a complete stranger that I had offended her. To be honest, a lot of what I say offends people, but I took a pause and read my initial comment three times before responding. I attempted to explain myself and then realized that she was speaking from a place of personal emotion and nothing would “unoffend” her.
When did we become so sensitive and self-centered that we expect everyone, even complete strangers, to make sure we feel comfort in all moments? I would say that we’ve always been like that to a degree and COVID-19 has amplified it. We’re living in uncertain times, which means our comfort is wishy washy, our nerves are shot, and our patience is thin. We’re hyper-defensive and ready to strike at the first person who adds to our already burdened emotional load.
On the Attack
We spend so much time and energy attacking each other, which is pointless and ineffective, but it’s easy because we’re immediately accessible. Log on, scroll, and Boom! It’s not a game of hide and seek like it is with the people who are holding the power. I mean, it’s not like trying to talk to a governor who rarely is at the capitol, right? Or a Senator who is living in D.C. Hell, it’s not even like trying to schedule an appointment with your mayor in these days of social distancing, closed buildings and businesses, and face masks.
But we’re fighting the wrong people. What is the sense in destroying relationships with people in our community when those relationships aren’t capable of changing anything? Most of the issues we’re so up in arms about these days are directly tied to people holding an office or a decision-making position. So why in the world are we so complacent when it comes to holding them accountable for listening to and representing us? Is it apathy, meaning not being concerned enough to do something, or fear of speaking to power? Because regardless of the reason, we have to stop it.
I am rather disappointed that there hasn’t been a huge push by Americans to demand change during this pandemic. Every one of our country’s uglies has been exposed, handing us a phenomenal opportunity for we, the people, to demand a stronger country, yet we’ve squandered it away by blaming the wrong people. If we were as passionate about demanding a fix for this country’s problems as we are about wearing face masks, things would become drastically different.
The Struggle Is Real
Our country is run by a majority of wealthy individuals who don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or how to afford health insurance. They don’t have to choose prescriptions over utilities. They don’t have to worry about planning for retirement or surviving on Social Security and $16 a month in food assistance. They also don’t have to worry about going back to work and being in contact with hundreds of people a day. They have no idea what it’s like to live without that level of privilege.
Here’s an example: a couple of years ago, a state politician stated publicly when asked about not being re-elected that they “only made $36,000” serving anyway. I still become enraged when I think about that comment. “Only” $36,000” a year would be a godsend to most folks I do life with. I mean, consider that the salary is for approximately three months of work, and is in addition to a housing and food per diem. If someone is working a minimum wage job in West Virginia, at $8.75/hour, which is well above the federal $7.25/hr minimum, by the way, they would have to work 4114.3 hours to make a $36k salary!
If we don’t elect people who understand what life is like for the average American, then it’s our duty to take our stories and present them in a way that helps them to understand so we can see changes made that benefit us and not the top wealthiest 1%. If we don’t find our conviction and organize our communities to take a stand, then we have no one else to blame but ourselves. We can be complainers, or we can be doers, but we can’t be both.
Forward together,
Amy Jo
