Does anyone else hate the Sunday screen time notification? Two weeks ago I received the report and realized I'm spending about as much time on my phone every day as I should be sleeping every night (I'm embarrassed to admit that). After receiving that report, I knew it was time to deactivate my accounts and step away from social media for a week.
It was a really good and intentional week away. As a friend pointed out, I've been home with my kids and working remotely longer than my maternity leave with both kids. 10 weeks with Nick, 9 with Jade. I want to be present during this time and really take in my kids, they are growing SO fast I can barely stand it. This time can be so difficult and yet so sweet. I could probably use more time without social media, but for a millennial, it's how I sort through news sources and get updates from school/daycare. Plus, with no garage sale opportunities, Facebook Marketplace is where it's at. In my week away, I had time to consider all the social media platforms I use and what purpose they serve, and feelings they provoke. Here's what I found: 1. Instagram- Pretty safe and neutral space if you mostly follow people you know and love. Dangerous when you start "exploring" and realizing there are people with bigger, better, smaller, prettier, and tidier. 2. TikTok- Easiest subconscious time waster. Ever. 3. Snapchat- I have this one. I don't fully get it. I rarely use it. My husband thinks it's funny and my kids love to see themselves as dogs. Then there's #4...Facebook. 4. Facebook- Things have gotten ugly for me in this space. Every single time I open the app I have to remind myself it is often not worth it to share my thoughts on political posts. It will not change the outcome and it will only cause more division. In knowing that, I haven't directly commented on posts but that doesn't mean I don't feel convictions about both the current political climate/stay home order as well as the ongoing racism and killing of black people. I feel so much about both. So, I wrote a letter to Facebook and users. Dear Facebook... A. It doesn't work to ask for prayer and understanding for one politician while shaming, de-humanizing, and being derogatory towards the other. If you are a Christian, your allegiance is to God not political party. B. You can really hate the stay home order and dislike our governor. You can be angry, worried, frustrated, and scared for businesses and livelihood. I too, don't get how some stores and business have been able to remain open this entire time while others still don't have a remote timeline. In addition to being outraged, let's be honest, you can outwardly defy most of the order and continue living life how you wish (not wearing a mask, seeing whoever you want, and undercover getting your dog groomed) with little consequence. However, Nazi Germany and "Whitler" are not an appropriate comparison. ***I want to stress I'm genuinely sad for friends who own small businesses. I can't imagine watching entire years of hard work and sacrifice be drained in 10 weeks. It's not fair and there is a lack of reasoning in some areas. I'm simply stating this is not comparable to treatment of Jewish people in concentration camps under Hitler's rule in World War II *** And yes, there are real concerns regarding domestic violence. child abuse, and education. Please recognize funding for mental health has been on the decline for a long time. Also, programs necessary for people to leave violent and abusive situations (think affordable food/housing/healthcare/childcare) have taken hit after hit. It's hard to see the increase in depression, suicide, domestic violence, and child abuse being used as talking points/pawns. If you're angry about it, use your vote, time, and resources to make services accessible and affordable. This means supporting SNAP benefits (food stamps), Medicaid, daycare assistance, etc. Same with education. I see what educational services kids who attend private school are receiving. It's phenomenal and their teachers are busting. I also see the "education" most kids I work with are receiving. Their teachers are also busting but it's pretty difficult when your device is your mom's smart phone that she takes to her essential job and you have no home Wifi. No doubt in my mind these schools will receive cuts first. Remember my post about when there was a Spanish long-term substitute WHO DIDN'T SPEAK SPANISH? These disparities have been around a long time... One last thing I need to say. Please stop comparing abortion rates to COVID-19 deaths. If you know 4 women (we all know 4 women), it's likely you know someone who has terminated a pregnancy. Let's love them better. C. We can be kind. Sometimes it's hard, but we can do it. You can see a post you widely disagree with and scroll past it. If it's not factual or science-based, you can gently call it out in hopes people make wise and educated conclusions. You can share pictures of your dogs, DIY projects, and children and remember we are all human with real experiences and fears in time of pandemic. Next up, ongoing racism in our country. A. If you support the right to an armed protest at the capitol but don't support the right to an unarmed and masked protest for George Floyd, what do you believe in? Rights or privilege? B. Placing more emphasis on looting versus the murder of a black man is wrong. As Austin Channing Brown said, " Why would we put equal (or greater) emphasis on looting rather than an officer murdering a person? Why is this country so clear that looting is wrong, but is unclear about what should happen to a police officer who takes a persons life?" C. Personally, I've realized this week (thanks to a friend's post) sharing about black death when I never share about black life (music, art, culture) isn't necessarily helpful. I have areas to grow and learn. I'm not an expert, I do it wrong, I say dumb things, and at the same time I really care about the lives of black people. I can't imagine sitting my son down to talk about personal safety when he's simply existing. There's too much, all to much. Sincerely, Confused, sad, and uncertain, Haley I don't know what to do with all the division and hate. I don't know how to navigate relationships with people who don't have the same thoughts and values as I do on this issues. But I'm trying and hope you are too. End goal is justice and unity.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
Hi! I'm Haley. Archives
May 2019
Categories |