Before we pick up the pitchforks, maybe we should go back to The Golden Rule.
There was a time when disagreeing with someone didn’t require destroying their character. Today, as I scrolled through an earlier story we posted on social media, I was shocked by several of the comments I read, with a majority filled with vitriol and only a few asking important questions.
Growing up, I often heard the phrase “Better to be thought a fool and remain quiet, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Most of the public comments today were definitely weighted toward the latter part of the aforementioned objective.
This week, controversy surrounding rumors of a proposed AI data center in an Alabama community spilled onto social media. Questions are absolutely fair. Concerns about development, infrastructure, privacy, resources and the future of a community deserve answers.
But somewhere between asking questions and demanding answers, we’ve developed an unfortunate habit of forgetting there are actual human beings on the other side of the screen.
A local mayor’s comments about the issue quickly drew accusations, insults and attacks on his character. Many of those comments were from people who admittedly do not yet have all the facts. Granted, I'm biased. I don't live in that town, but I think that mayor is amazing. I've personally seen the way he cares about what is best for that community, and I can not say enough good things about the mayor.
As someone who works in media, I’ll acknowledge that we aren’t entirely innocent. Headlines are written to earn clicks. Stories are designed to generate conversation. Sometimes we probably turn the temperature up a degree or two ourselves. But disagreement doesn’t have to become cruelty.
We can question elected officials. We can oppose projects. We can attend meetings, research facts, demand transparency and ultimately vote according to our convictions.
What we shouldn’t do is forget our humanity and basic human decency in the process.
Before posting that comment, imagine saying it across the dinner table. Imagine the person’s children reading it. Ask whether you know the whole story, or only enough of it to be angry.
Maybe our communities could use fewer digital pitchforks and a little more of an old-fashioned Biblical principle: Treat people the way you’d want them to treat you.
Perhaps we should all re-examine the point at which we decided to let social media and the “bravery or anonymity” lent to us by sitting behind a computer screen define our character. Maybe there IS something to “remaining silent”, or better yet, living by higher standards. If you try it, I think you’ll find that The Golden Rule still works …even on social media.
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