EKURWE: OPEN LETTER TO THE YOUTHS OF AN ANONYMOUS KINGDOM 09
The easiest thing on social media is to drop insulting comments under another person’s post when it contradicts your opinion. The most challenging thing is generating a full article that others will read. The hard reality is that most people who are discourteous and abusive are pathologically lazy writers. Selah!!!
Recently, the rise of social media has provided a platform for individuals to express their opinions and engage in meaningful conversations. However, a concerning trend has emerged, particularly among young people, where some individuals resort to abusive behaviour when confronted with differing opinions. This issue raises important questions about online discourse and the impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole.
For some, they are well known in the social media space, not because of the quality of their articles or opinions. Year in and year out, their only arsenal is nasty comments and insults on any personality that has contrary opinions to what they either know or believe. Year in and year out, you will hardly come across their 50-word article. Year in and year out, you will hardly see them complement a good write-up. They insult any person at will without critical evaluation of their choice of words.
How do we grow our literary prowess and robust discourse as a people when certain youths who are supposed to write original text for the world to read or do a rejoinder to an article they feel otherwise are only equipped with an abusive arsenal? Dey can insult-ttt, dey can write short comments and at times with unpolished delivery. God should forgive them and also help them.
It is essential to acknowledge that diversity of thought is fundamental to any healthy society. While social media offers a space for the exchange of ideas, it is disheartening to observe instances where disagreements escalate into abusive behaviour. This stifles constructive dialogue and creates an environment that is hostile and unwelcoming.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of abusive behaviour on social media. The anonymity provided by online platforms can embolden individuals to express themselves without the usual social constraints, leading to a lack of accountability for their words.
Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction: communicating through screens may diminish the sense of accountability that comes with face-to-face interactions. Without the immediate, real-world consequences of hurting someone’s feelings or damaging relationships, individuals may be more inclined to resort to insults rather than engage in a more thoughtful discussion. Some young people may not have developed strong skills in conflict resolution or constructive argumentation. In the absence of effective tools for expressing disagreement, resorting to insults may seem quicker and more straightforward to assert their opinion, especially when emotions run high.
Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. Exposure plays a crucial role, as young people need to be made aware of the potential consequences of abusive behaviour and the importance of fostering a respectful online community. Digital literacy programs can teach individuals to engage in constructive discussions, express their opinions without abuse, and critically evaluate information.
By fostering a culture of respect and open-mindedness, we can harness the potential of social media as a tool for meaningful dialogue and understanding rather than a platform for division and hostility. You become a social media influencer when you are known to possess high digital literacy, push out quality content and have respectful online communication. We have a duty to encourage critical thinking, foster a culture of open-mindedness and create a healthier online environment that values constructive dialogue over insults.
Change your arsenal and be decent for once so that all of us can breathe. Social illiteracy can be worked on; make it your end-of-year resolution.
10-open letters, 1 more to go.
EKURWE: EARS TO THE GROUND
GLEANINGS FROM THE OPEN LETTER TO THE YOUTHS OF AN ANONYMOUS KINGDOM 09 TITLED “THE ONLY ARSENAL”
Cutting through the noise with a scalpel. Diving straight to the point. The comments by three social media veterans perfectly capture the core of the article. Their powerful insight cuts through the ordinary and reveals the essence we have all been looking for. Insulting people just because they differ in perspective is a pointer to low intelligence and a primitive way of making up for the inability to present a superior point or argument.
Thanks greatly for your kind responses. LOTS OF LOVE FROM EKURWE.
MATTHEW ODE
“Needless to say, the kingdom is anonymous. The straight title should mention the Igede Kingdom. Your expressions conveyed your mindset. You profusely reflected on your past knowledge and experiences of our common Igede kingdom when there was adherence to our aged, celebrated cultural traditions. I have not at any point stood against the concept of modernity, but I hate the brand of modernity introduced in our Igede ways of doing things where the approaches by our ancestors have been relegated by the contemporary super people of today to the abyss of old fashion thereby creating the enabling ground for all unknown lifestyles on the soil of Igede people.
In the past, we struggled to read at school. We read passages and memorise them. We admired the proficiency and styles of construction of tenses. We played with lexis and structures in English. We were interested in unveiling the natural principles behind those phenomena in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. We could read and create literature. All these things enjoyed the wicked classification by the lazy generations of today as old school. Then, how do you expect them to be constructive in their thoughts and actions?
The modern Igede society is a disaster. No more respect for the elders; there is a celebration of indecency on the land. There is respect for big money irrespective of hard work and the source. We can now practice all the odds and forbidden freely. The custodians of our religions and culture have closed their eyes to the happenings. To come to the limelight in Igede land now is a function of how cheap and stubborn you can appear. No more honesty, hard work, respect, and similar elements of good behaviour.
Then, what is the hope for the future? How do you expect us to be a sane society? Only time and a genuine change in the orientation of our mindsets may help.”
MATILDA AGBINYA
“Thank you for this insightful message. I have literally had to block and unfriend so many of such kinds of people because they are not worth engaging in any arguments with.
Obviously, they lack it upstairs because they fail to realise that they can not make or control my choices and actions about issues, neither can they ever force me to align with their shallow minds.
How on earth will any reasonable person just come under one’s post or comment to insult or bully them without even knowing them at any point or related to them in any way?
Our youths are really constituting a nuisance on the media space simply because they can afford a phone and data they have failed to utilise gainfully.
For Christ sake, it is called a smart phone and not a dullard phone, where they have lost the place for courtesy, respect for authorities and our norms and traditions.
Pathetic it is indeed!”
EBI OLOGBO
“This very write-up gladdens my heart for few reasons
First, it links almost every other letter since the beginning of this your open letters.
Secondly, it exposed the failure of the family system I mentioned in your last post and the mind your business syndrome.
Finally, the greatest problem of this 21st century we are battling with is how to have a meaningful conversation on social media, you have highlited few factors, how I wish I have to holistically discuss on this but then, do we even read?”
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