“Michael, isn’t it a self-fulfilling prophecy?”
Yes, of course people will stop attacking if I shut up. What’s your point?
“No one’s asking you to shut up, Michael. Just be tactful.”
1. What is “tactful”? It’s not like there’s a rulebook somewhere.
2. I’m trying to express something. Even if I knew what would trigger the mob, you’re telling me I should be more concerned about the mob than about what I’m trying to say? I’d rather speak out of love than out of fear. Much more fun that way.
3. If I don’t speak out of love, people won’t hear me, because I’m not saying the things I’m trying to say, to the people I’m speaking to. That’s because holding back.
Here are my demands:
Demand 1: To the people who are tempted to join in the mob: think long and hard about what effect you might be having. You want to join a mob, mob’s commit violence, people in the mob don’t feel responsible. That’s how mobs work. There’s going to be one target (who has no power…that’s why you have a mob), and that person can’t fight back.
You may think you’re just voicing your support with a group you believe in. But, I’m asking you to zoom out a little bit and look at what the MOB is doing. Do you really want to lend your strength to THAT?
Demand 2: To the people who are running these groups: you are the one who’s responsible for targeting individuals. The mob doesn’t do it. YOU are listening to the mob and making a decision as an individual. It’s between YOU and ME. You made the decision without taking the responsibility for the admission process into your group.
Be more explicit about what your group is about.
If there’s someone in the group you don’t like, it’s your responsibility. You shouldn’t have let them in in the first place. Let’s have a conversation in that context.
Change your rules.
If I don’t like your rules, I can decide to leave. If I like the rules, maybe I’ll follow the rules.
The passive-aggressive BS has to stop.
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