I just noticed that someone I know in not an inconsequential way in real life has unfriended me on Facebook.
Um. What?
I don’t understand this.
But I think I know why.
I think he probably does not agree with me on a lot of seemingly important and divisive topics – politics, religion, etc. – and instead of just “hiding” me like a normal person would do, he just decided, you know, “out of sight, out of mind,” and dumped me altogether.
Because he is Hitler, and I am a Jew.
Seriously. What the hell?
Since when do we have so little in common as HUMAN BEINGS that it becomes untenable to retain even this, the most tenuous of connections? Since when can anyone judge, by something I’ve said or a link I’ve posted, that I’m not worthy of that connection? That he or she can learn nothing from me?
It kinda makes me sick.
Especially because there have been many, MANY times that an acquaintance from high school, for example, has posted a statement or link that shakes my core so completely, something I can’t believe anyone could ever possibly believe or support. But I have never unfriended anyone.
I am a GOOD person. That’s the thing. Whether you agree with my political or religious views or my sense of humor or potty mouth, I find it really really difficult to accept that anyone could disagree with this. But I also know that, depending on whatever religiopolitical philosophy you arm yourself with, you may subscribe to the idea that “different” equals “bad” or “wrong” or even “of Satan,” that your overarching spiritual philosophy may REQUIRE you to view me as flawed, in need of change, or even “evil.”
And that? Is what’s wrong with the world. In a nutshell.
Because I am a GOOD person. Good. I care more about people and fighting injustice and doing good in the world than many of the people I know who would view me this way.
It’s just painful. And it shakes my faith in humanity.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sorry you were un-friended, but maybe it’s for the best in this situation. I agree, though, that even if our beliefs about certain things may be different, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends – even if only via the internets. Friendships (or just plain relationships) aren’t always based purely on having common beliefs, values, etc. Some of the friendships I value most are with people with whom I have nothing in common except maybe a shared past or shared experience. I’m rambling. Whatev. Love ya and I’ll never un-friend ya!
PS – My nosey self wants to know who it was. Someone I know??
I am so sorry. I’m not sure if I understand why different viewpoints seems to equal some kind of badness, but there it is. The world leans this way whether we’d like it to or not— and it seems to be an equal opportunity divisiveness, like politically left leaners unfriending the right and saying that they must be stupid to think such-and-such, and the politically right unfriending the left saying that they must be evil to think such-and-such. Damn. It’s just not pretty.
I’m on the bandwagon: I won’t unfriend you, even if you were to post about your undying love and devotion to Justin Beiber. I say we can ALL get along. Kisses!