Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.
There is a mob mentality that has taken over social media.
People post things aimed at inciting a desired response. Others join in and soon the subject or topic of ridicule is under fire by a lynching mob.
What makes it worse is that those who join in the “fun” are often misinformed or have little information.
Recently, with the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, people came to realize that the earthly hero was actually fighting cancer from 2016. Health is a very private matter and so Boseman treated it as such.
Months before he had posted a picture on Instagram which received much negative, harsh and cruel comments about his weight loss. Seemingly giving in to the pressure Boseman subsequently deleted the post.
Now he is dead many are berating those who were part of the lynch mob. Who knows some who are berating after he died were probably active members in the mob prior to his death?
Boseman fought his battle privately with those who cared for him the most. The reality is, when he needed it the most, he could not find solace in this often cruel and dark world.
Needless to say, words can harm you.
Here in Barbados around August 19 there was a social media post on a person’s private page expressing views on one of Barbados’ most popular entertainers Lil Rick.
The individual said they felt that he had outgrown the type of songs he sings and accused him of singing the same things he sang years ago.
As is his right, Lil Rick responded to the person’s post. Fine. Should it not have ended there? After all every one has a right to his or her own opinion. No, that is where it began. Hundreds of other comments followed using the most insulting language to berate the individual for the opinion given. Is Barbados still a democracy? Why can’t people express themselves without the lynch mob coming at them? Are we not still individuals who will view things differently?
The lynch mob behaviour is becoming the norm. People appear to have little respect or regard for opposing views. They then become intolerant. Could this be the source of much anger, bitterness, hatred, malice and by extension crime in our society; the same crime that members of the lynching mob openly lament.
Do people not see how their actions invariable contribute to the whole?
What saddens me is that there are people with great influence on social media, some who have good standing in society and others who should know better who facilitate and encourage such behaviour.
One can only hope that this behaviour is stymied before it is too late. Hopefully those who are so swift to kill and cure will sit back, think with a rational mind, and soon realise they are a huge part of the behaviour they so self-righteously condemn.
Miriam T Collymore
