First time for everything, right? I would be lying if I said what I write here are honest thoughts. Usually, I’m drunk, mad at the world, and then I pen something–or type–whatever. Then I correct it later.
This time, it is not the case.
Sober. And no edits. And fuck. Everything seems to have departed reality. In recent days, found myself spending far too much time scrolling through the crazy. I grew so angry at the apparent lack of thinking that I even took to addressing an issue–or two.
I see this photo come across my feed. From right to left, there is a kneeling Colin Kaepernick. Next to him was an angry WalMart regular, white with a bald head, a big gut, and an American flag tee. His finger was pointing at Kaepernick and the comment bubble read: “THATS OFFENSIVE!”. Behind him lay the folded body of a Black man–blood outlining his lifeless body. His tee said “UNARMED BLACK MAN.” and a body crumpled up
Now, I’d seen this before, but as I said, this time, I was in a mood.
Inevitably, the filth that inhabit our society began to berate my friend. He brought up the usual canned responses, fueled by cable news (both sides do this well) and completely devoid of reason (narrows the news network, huh?). I faced two choices: go in, or step back. I chose wrong.
I proceeded to go line-by-line and deconstruct his attacks on this or that. I decided that a bully–especially a dumb bully–will bully no more. Who the hell am I to decide that?
I fired off the response and walked away. I knew the troll would shoot back. I secretly hoped he would. Then he did. Not only had he completely disregarded every point I made, but he also did so with a certain incoherent babble one can only attribute to the perpetually brainwashed. I expected it but was still shocked to read it.
I thought a lot about it in the ensuing night. I began to question myself. Had I just trolled a troll? Does it make a difference if he doesn’t understand what I’m saying? Most telling: would people who read what I wrote think me pedantic and fighting an ego-driven battle disguised in right action?
It became too much. I deleted the post. Then deleted the FB app. I realized that I’d gotten so enmeshed in the negativity of the internet I had forgotten things I hold dear: Never let them know you know what you know. Never forget the audience. Always work toward a bridge. Never burn what you’ve built.
I’d done all of the above. It was time to leave it alone. That is how this came to be. I paid for this damned domain name and dammit, and I’m going to use it.
FB requires I bend to the attention of others. This platform, however, has to be actively sought. If you value what I think, or think I can add value to your world, then I can’t wait to begin.
If you disagree but know I don’t just fire off stupid shit, then please take me as I am, and challenge me as I need to be.
sometimestheyforget 