No Provocative Headlines

For many (read—most) articles that people post on Facebook, I do not read them. I read the headlines. I am most likely not alone on this. There are some (read—few) people who I really care about and respect their opinion (mostly people who don’t post often), and I will take the time to read over what they post (bonus points if it is their own creation/writing they post).

And so, when one such friend posted THIS article, I read it, and knew I wanted to write a post on my blog. I love creating content. It makes me feel empowered and successful—especially after feeling overwhelmed by all the junk and ugly attitudes on social media. I never considered myself politically involved until I had some comments from my posts, telling me that missionaries shouldn’t be involved in politics. I thought that posting about refugees and race relations was about Christian duty and love, not politics.

So here is the secret: if you write a thoughtful blog about something you really care about, and don’t have a provocative headline, you probably won’t get any trolls, or anyone telling you to get back into missions instead. But, you probably won’t get many people reading it at all, except the ones you really care about. Some people would argue that the great divide in our country today has been created—or at least exacerbated—by algorithms and how news media is money/click driven. (I think fake news and hating on the media is one thing most of my left and right friends agree on—but don’t tell them that). Have you seen “The Social Dilemma”? Provocative headlines are at the top of this problem.

Now, when I want to post something that may be considered political, I write a whole post. This helps me organize my thoughts and really get down to the point/heart of the matter, as well as avoid provocative headline issues (honestly, I’m not that good at thinking of provocative headlines anyway). And it avoids the people who are looking for a fight. It also keeps me accountable, because it takes a lot of time to write a blog post, so I normally keep my “frustrated rant about the state of Facebook” out of it.

All that said, I wrote this so I could post this. It really is the best thing so far that has put into words my recent thinking. Except I am not angry—I am terribly sad. It feels much like my grieving-sad feelings that I feel in leaving my beloved Brazil home—just with some cranky frustration added in. It is just too exhausting to be really angry right now.

Since I worked this hard already, I will also add some random screen shots I’ve taken, that also add in some more of my thoughts.

If you want to add race issues into it…that’s another post.

Beth Moore has been LIFE to me lately.

Like seriously. I wanna say “Lefties, time out-and sit on your side of the couch” and “Righties, time out—and sit on your side of the couch” and start my individual complaints.

Please take a moment to be a bit worried if you read this. A friend on Facebook posted this. This is what people involved in many far-right things really believe.