The internet can be a really ugly place. Most of the time for me, it's for research, friends, meeting people, and sharing experiences. Ok, I admit there is also a piece there for time wasting funny sites and games, but mostly I use the internet constructively. So when a Mom I know from a support group was upset at the treatment her child received when he attempted to enter a store using his walker at a business near her, many of the group members were upset in turn.
A news station local to this person picked up the story and ran it on the news and their website. Websites are open to comments. Sadly, a lot of these comments were either intentionally mean or really ignorant. When I voiced my opinions, a person claiming to be a relative of the business owner actually blamed me for my son's Spina Bifida, saying that according to other sites I have, I drank and did drugs and it was probably an unplanned pregnancy. While that is certainly not true, I couldn't believe someone I don't even know could be so upset by my opposing opinions on the internet that they would lash out so personally.
It seemed impossible to me that people were getting so vicious regarding what I see as a clear cut issue and regarding a child. How can people NOT understand this is discrimination? My point of view is up close and personal so I took a step back... am I being overly sensitive about it? The conclusion I came to is that no, I'm not. ADA guidelines require businesses to be accessible to people with disabilities, it's Federal Law.
Then I realized that I'll be facing this sort of attitude on my son's behalf for a long time, but he'll face it for the rest of his life. I'm profoundly saddened at the thought. He's a sweet, lovable baby right now and with a lot of work and a little luck, I hope to see him grow into a bright young man of good character. But there will always be people who will think of him as "less than" a person. Those people are wrong, their attitudes stink, and a little education, if they are willing, would go a long way. That won't always be an option, I understand that. It's unfortunate that so many are comfortable with their closed minds and ignorance.
While the experience has led me to realize that anything can be taken out of context, some people are just jerks, and being open leaves you exposed to those jerks. I'm thankful for the thick skin I'm developing, but I think I'll lay off the comment boards for news stories as I've found that the loudest voices there are the ones with the most tightly shut minds.
Even Facebook can be ugly. I've thought as recently as yesterday of cashing in my FB page and closing shop. What used to be a happy place full of LOLcat pictures and random YouTube hilarity, has become a minefield of vague-booking and drama whoring.
ReplyDeleteThe Internet serves a purpose sometimes, but it gets old weeding through the crazies to find the good stuff.
Excellent post, lovey!
I think you're an amazingly strong woman, Beth. Kemp is so lucky to have such a warrior of a woman for a mom. I look up to you and the way you handle each adverse situation with grace. Ignore the ignorance. Muahh. -B
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so true. And the anonymity of the internet seems to make people far meaner than they would dare to be in person. It's sad, and I often think there are people with such ignorance and so little to do with their time that they look for ways to be mean and nasty.
ReplyDeleteI see you don't post comments that don't totally agree with you. You have a chip on your shoulder the size of a mountian, you need to let it erode some so you aren't always mad at people. Your family is there to help you and for you to get worked up over such small comments as he is special and looks like nothing was ever wrong with him is stupid.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous Poster from today: First thank you for reading my blog. Second, I'm sorry you cannot find your previous comment. It certainly was published on the "Nowhere Land" post. This is a more recent post, so if you couldn't find your comment, that is why. Third, I admit I do get angry at times, but generally I would have to disagree with your assessment of my personal life and feelings as we are not actually acquainted. Lastly, to prevent future butthurt, as it seems VERY important for you to be heard on other's people's lives, I would suggest you start your own blog and link me to it, that way you'll never feel censored.
ReplyDeleteSincerely annoyed with you,
Bethany.
To quote Robert Frost "Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense." We all get worked up over comments sometimes. we let our selves get invovled in other quarrels not our own. I know I do. But people are different and what is obvious to some is not to others. What one calls truth one calls injustice and so on and so forth. In short, people suck and don't let them suck you in! Love you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Leila