Peacemaking on Social Media
When we enter a conversation online with the intent to try and force a change of opinion, we elicit defensiveness and frustration. But when we bring a peacemaking mindset to these interactions, we offer posts and comments that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy. As MWEG members have learned about the Six Principles of Peacemaking and practiced using them in our Facebook discussion group, they have been inspired to apply them in their personal social media use as well. Here are a few examples:
“I have a friend who recently started sharing a lot more unkind memes about politics, ones that say ‘How dumb are you if you believe xyz??’ or ‘SHUT UP.’ She is a lovely person in real life, but it seems like she has started saying harsh things online that she probably wouldn’t say to someone in person.
“After being bothered by it for awhile, I finally got the courage to leave a gentle comment about it on one of her memes. [The comment I made] really wasn’t anything special; I just tried to be sure I communicated that I knew she would never use such harsh phrases to someone in real life, and it was hard to see them connected to her name so often on social media, even if they were just a reposts.
“She actually replied that she agreed and would take [the offending post] down, plus I got a supportive message from another friend who saw the interaction. If not for MWEG, I don’t know that I would have 1. had the courage to do that, or 2. been circumspect in what I post myself. MWEG’s peacemaking focus has made such an impact on me, and I’m so thankful for all of you. — MWEG member, Florida, USA
“I had an animated discussion with someone whose views on guns are in binary opposition from mine. It was civil and informed. I introduced him to the principles of peacemaking and MWEG’s efforts toward that end. I wasn’t judged for my religious beliefs, and he wasn’t judged for his views on gun ownership.
“I love sharing the principles of peacemaking, and letting others know that there are indeed people left in the world of politics whose goal is civility, not always having a clever remark to zing the other person.” — MWEG member, Missouri, USA
“One of the things I post about is racism, whether personal experience or other’s experiences and I usually get quite a bit of pushback. Well, recently one of my friends that I served an LDS mission with told me how the tips I had offered her was helping her and her family (specifically her daughter) and how it has sparked important conversation within her family. It mattered to me that she took it to heart and got to work in her sphere of influence.” —MWEG member, Utah, USA
While engaging online can seem daunting to some, choosing to engage can lead to important conversations outside of social media and beyond our spheres of influence. We don’t necessarily need to engage to change the minds of those we converse with, but we do courageously talk about the things that matter to us and do so in a way that allows others to learn alongside us.
