As we approach another arbitrary temporal boundary, or New Year as some would have it, I am prompted to consider my place in the world and my responsibilities to society. So because social media reflects so much of society these days, I reflect on social media.
As a member of a minority group – albeit the fairly privileged one of middle aged women (tending to elderly as every day passes) – I can see the attraction of mastodon to less visible minority groups, especially those more threatened than I am by broader society. It affords a space to be seen in reasonable safety. The federated nature of it allows people to congregate on friendly servers that can offer protection from the idiocy of the rabble.
I often hear the argument that because threats and aggression against minorities is unfair then everyone is obliged to stand up against it. The “if you’re not with us you’re against us” argument. This fails to take account of the risk factors or the capabilities of each individual. Not everyone has the emotional strength to fight for the world.
I know that this is not how things should be, but if I’ve learned anything in 73 trips around the sun; it’s that the world is not as it “should be”, never was, and probably never will be. Life offers us two choices, hide or fight to make things better. Both are reasonable choices and both come with their own risks.
Hiding from the things you hate or that threaten you can leave you feeling disappointed in yourself as well as in the state of the world. Speaking up and fighting for change may leave you exposed to danger, and if you fail to achieve your aims, to despair of a different kind. Unfair as that seems, it is reality. It’s up to each of us to choose what we are capable of doing with our lives.
Sometimes just surviving and contributing in whatever way you can towards the generations that follow us is enough. Teach the children to be stronger and better than you are – and the world improves.
Categories: opinion
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