An illustration shows Broadcast Staffer Edie Ash filming a video addressing a recent tragedy. Ash encouraged her peers to show their compassion through posting rather than advocating for change. “I do as any respectable, contributing citizen does when they learn tragic news. I stop, set up my camera, bow my head and send thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. Oftentimes, being this good of a person is inconvenient to my day-to-day life, but if you know me, you know I’m huge on empathy,” Ash wrote. Illustration by Edie Ash
The world is continuously grappling with devastating tragedies surrounding violence, but taking real action requires actual change and uncomfortable conversations… a social media post should cover it.
In the era of social media, the natural response to tragedy, be it gun violence, warfare or any loss of life, has changed entirely. Nowadays, anyone can post heartfelt messages regarding an incident, quickly turning social media engagement into what feels like a civic duty.
As a member of society, I am responsible for sending thoughts and prayers. The decision-making should be left up to committees and experts, all the people who have yet to let us down. Right?
Critics like to argue that faith without action is incomplete, but I prefer to think of it as streamlined, maximum belief with minimum action. Why would I focus on harsh reality when I can blindly trust an already-existing higher authority? Why would I focus on policy change if it might force me to rethink my voting history and lifelong ideas?
Coming together through tweets of prayer, that’s what community really looks like.
I instead focus on dedicating my time to thoughts, prayers and Instagram.
I take the time to post my compassion, making it visible and shareable. I carefully chose a meaningful Bible verse with 10 hashtags followed by three praying-hands emojis. Sometimes, I even take the time to add a song. Coming together through tweets of prayer, that’s what community really looks like.
I do what any respectable, contributing citizen does when they learn tragic news. I stop, set up my camera, bow my head and send thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. Oftentimes, being this good of a person is inconvenient to my day-to-day life, but if you know me, you know I’m huge on empathy.
I can’t let those advocating for policy change, for the protection of future generations, get in the way of what’s really important in the time following a tragedy: Sending thoughts and prayers in full glam, reading off a script in 150 words or less.
Now, that’s what caring really looks like.
