I have seen all kinds of posts on AR that made the hair on the back of my neck stand; heck, I have probably written some that had the same effect on others. This morning, though, I woke up to the most shameful display of indecency. The post in question has thankfully been removed in short order - but the impact remains. It was a petition to have two members of Active Rain removed from this network, ostensibly, in the quest for civility.
Some of you have seen it. Some of you have even signed it.
Few things surprise me on here anymore, but I must say I found it strange that some of the signers of this petition were the same people who rallied behind the only member I am aware of who's account on AR was terminated by the staff. Same people screaming ‘freedom of speech' every time they believe their voices are being silenced. Some of these folks, while we always disagreed, I even respected, until now. That includes the author of the post.
Call me old-fashioned, but I have this fundamental belief that there can be no civility without decency; I believe also that when one gets the hang of their very first TV remote or car radio, they learn to change the channel, should programming disagree with their preferences. Few of us would pick up the phone and scream bloody murder at the movie director for having disliked it. Fewer still would try to get the director or the actors fired for it.
So here we are, supposedly all adult enough to drive, drink and BLOG. For some of us, this network brought business. For others, we are a few friends richer for having joined. A few real or virtual friends who get us is no small feat either.
But I think it's safe to assume that those of us who contribute content to AR on a regular basis have invested quite a bit of time, energy and talent. It's safe to assume that we have established an emotional connection to people in the groups we post to. It's probably safe to assume that we all CARE if we stay or go, for our own reasons.
So here is my little petition to AR: let us assume that we are, indeed, adults, and do not reward those who click the "FLAG" button at the slightest provocation or incite the community to have members they dislike banished. Let's all learn to just change the channel, if we object to a specific poster's personality or opinion. Last I checked, no one is holding a proverbial gun to any of our craniums and forcing us to read that which offends us. And for those who are easily offended, grow thicker skin or talk about puppies. Anything else will inevitably give you heartburn, and make those of us who take the whole freedom of expression thing rather seriously not want to engage in conversation with you on any topic.
Lastly, while I agree that personal insults of any kind have no place on this platform, or any other for that matter, I, for one, would hate to see our ability to speak freely on subjects that we are passionate about stifled. I have seen quite a few posters here proclaim that as a right. Most rights come with responsibilities. So by all means, delete comments that offend you, voice your dissent, if you so choose, but grow up some. What you believe is your right to free expression is the same right by which any one of us can disagree with you, and it has to remain that way. Tolerance for opinions that are contrary to your own is the gold in freedom of expression's currency. It is also a fundamental mark of honor and decency.
Let's all do the honorable thing and lay off the ‘flags', because at the end of the day, on the receiving end of you clicking that button is a human being you probably don't know. Because one day that human being can be you... And lastly, because it makes you a vindictive bully in the eyes of those who matter - your peers.
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