Comments

There is this blog I read. She's a girl struggling with her weight but still trying to truly live her life. She's brutally honest and insightful and points out the obvious thoughts that never occur to me until I see it written down by her.

Because of her honesty, she gets some negative feedback. Did I say some? She gets a lot of negative feedback. So me being the fighter that I am commented back on one of them saying something to the effect of "Why do you aim to hurt? Rude." And the comments that came after that aimed at me? I was called a hypocrite (amongst other not nice things) and told that my momma should be slapped for raising me to be so close minded. what the what??

How is that better and not inappropriate than my response to the first negative commenter? The post in discussion was so honest and really was quite brutal. But it was more about her than anyone else. It was about her struggles and insecurity. She kept everything anonymous and did not make it even a little bit obvious about who she was referring to.

The whole reason I bring this up is because my heart hurts so much when I see this kind of stuff. I find that it is hard to not want to lash out with a quick, sharp tongue but I am also aware that it will do no good.

Why are people so brave behind their computer screens and keyboards and anonymous names? I am fortunate that I have not run into a lot of this negativity with my little (loved so much by me) blog. Mostly because I don't have a lot of followers. I have had a few comments, though, that were hurtful or inappropriate. I delete them when I see them, but the damage is done. It's hard to not take it seriously, not wince when you read them and think about it all day.

So for those out there that are reading anonymously: I'm okay with that, but I would rather that you just followed me publicly or commented now and again because the blog is open for a reason. I assume there are people that I may have known a long time ago reading. I can understand being anonymous. I will even admit that there are a few blogs I am following privately because a.) I am too lazy to switch it and b.) I know them through someone and feel like its creepy to follow them. I suppose that does make me a hypocrite. Fine... I'll have to go change that now.

Anyways, my point in all of this is that most of these little blogs out there consisting mostly of personal, rambling thoughts are not meant to be open forums for hateful words and bashing. Many people journal to figure things out and can grow from it and change opinions often. Should these people not be allowed to do it publicly? Should they be forced to hide it or be verbally attacked? It seems unfair to me.

It's part of the reason I don't put as many personal thoughts and religious/political views out here. I'm afraid to be labeled or viewed a certain way before I'm done thinking, growing, and forming my thoughts, opinions, and views. It's sad to me that I feel that hesitation, that limitation, that invisible wall stopping me from true expression.

Maybe someday I'll overcome this and just say "whatever". But now I have my kid(s) to think about. What will Josie say, twenty years from now, reading through this and seeing the negative comments? Will she get a new view about me and think I am ridiculous? Will she be hurt for me? It is just a lot to think about, isn't it?