Another week another social media trend surfaces and starts to circulate. Although this particular ‘trend’ isn’t necessarily new, but the way it manifests and rears its ugly head has definitely been giving a boost as the beast that is modern technology grows. Before all this fan-dangled technology, we just used to cause an uproar in the street, yell at each other and hope the news made the local paper. Someone did something wrong or had wronged us personally in some way, and we wanted to make them pay for it. So, grab your torch and pitchforks and let’s talk about the phenomenon of naming and shaming on social media.
I feel as though most of us really underestimate the power of social media. We ignore and turn a blind eye (or just turn out notifications off) to the ripple effect which can happen after a simple click of a button. Most of us stay pretty quiet and live our lives until one day, our neighbor leaves the bins out for a day or so longer then they were meant to, or someone accidently parked in a disabled parking spot and nek minute their picture is being flashed all over social media. And this is when the cycle starts. The minute we hit post in whatever local group we happen to be a part of, we feel powerful. With the first comment we feel vindicated, by the 100th comment we’ve knitted ourselves a blanket so thick with smugness we’re drowning in the sickly warmth of the projection of public shame. But in a day or so, we forget about it. However, the ‘shamee’ is still reeling and desperately scrambling for a chance to provide context to their actions to defend themselves in the court of public opinion. They bare that scar long after a not guilty verdict has been handed down, or in the case of local drama, they move their unsightly garbage bins from the driveway.
I personally don’t believe in vigilante justice but… I can also openly acknowledge my somewhat privileged position as I have never been in a situation where the actions of another have compelled or driven me to take justice into my own hands. I have not yet lost faith in the law, or the legal system, and have never really questioned the way the judge’s gavel falls, but I also understand that many people in our fair community have. But, is naming and shaming the answer and if/when is the right time to do so? Another question I have burning in the back of my brain, is where is the line and how do we feel and react as a community when the crime in question is actually a crime. or in the case of recent events, a despicable and heinous act against an innocent? What good, does naming and shaming do?
Can I be very, (very, very) clear, in no way do I condone, celebrate, or exonerate the behavior of any individual who has committed and been convicted of a serious crime but I just want to make sure that we don’t interrupt the course of justice, something we all want to achieve.
I also think some of us are hungry to be the first to post something, about someone. We do not know all the facts, and as Nancy Drew as we like to fancy ourselves, we are not law enforcement professionals, and personally, I would hate for any action I participated in, to halt or hinder the course of justice. I also think at times, we are impulsive, hurt and just a little too quick to click.
In summary, this article is saying two things. At the base level, let’s remember the whole thing about glass houses and not throwing stones. Secondly, yes, the recent crimes committed in our local area, one in particular, are horrible, heinous acts and the accused and eventually convicted should feel the full force of the law, but let’s not get in the way and throw a spanner in the works before the law even gets a chance.
