Writer's Journal #13

Recently, I was on Facebook scrolling when I saw a post about face masks and how everyone should wear it or they will get fined. I thought that if I commented, it would not be the end of the world. I started typing a reply to that post because I really think people should be able to choose if they want to wear a mask or not. So I started typing out what I thought and why. I was revoking my audience to be kind hearted individuals who cared what I had to say and would be respectful of my ideas.

How wrong was I! I suddenly started getting bombarded with replies back saying I was selfish and rude and didn’t care about people at all. I was shocked how wrong I was about who I thought I was writing to. These people were not at all what I imagined. I had invoked a completely different audience than who was actually addressed. I think in my mind, I had an idea of who I was and sort of assumed that everyone else was like that too. It really shows us that when we write anything, we need to think long and hard about the audience because even if you think you know them, you may not know them at all!

I think if I remade that post I would just say something more liberal like “let individuals decide.” That way it would make them think I’m on their side but I just want freedom for everyone. In honest truth though, I probably would never write to those group of people. They said awful things and I never want to address people that would talk to me like that. There is no excuse for being rude even if you totally disagree with someone. The way they acted, I definitely was able to see what they believed and what they stood for. They are probably the same people that would attack me if I walked inside of a store with no mask. I think Facebook was also probably the wrong platform to go to. Everything crazy is being put on Facebook nowadays.