Well, that ended badly didn’t it?
I’m not going to lie to you, I was suitably shocked by a recent post in a big Barry Covid 19 Community Group that was basically just a raving rant against everything the Admin didn’t personally and politically believe in, quickly followed by, in my view, an equally ungracious outpouring.
I’m also sure that most of the over 8, 000 members, who joined the Group looking for support, solace, and someone to do the shopping, in these totally testing times, were equally taken aback.
Surely, we all just help someone based on the size of our hearts, the values we hold dear, and our desire to make a difference – not on the person in need’s voting intention.
And such a shame, as it all started so well, helped hundreds, and I whole heartedly supported it.
But why can’t we all learn from the not so distant General Election that insulting and mocking those who may be thinking of voting different from you is a real recipe for disaster.
And it is not the way to win friends and influence people – especially in, what we all thought was, an open to all community engagement Group, not a ‘big P’ political Forum.
Being Kind always matters of course but it has never been so powerful and appropriate as we all try to help some of our most mentally and physically vulnerable residents get through this Pandemic.
Now, before I get verbally hung out to dry, let’s be crystal clear here. No one more than than me knows politics affects every area of our lives – from education to economy, health to wealth, plus so much more. And if you don’t do politics what do you do?
I also have absolutely no beef with anyone aligning themselves to any political party with a pure unadulterated passion. Standard. But there’s a time and a place.
Scrolling swiftly down my social media feeds as I do, I often see polemic views, hard-hitting memes, and ‘likes’ of newspaper links on personal feeds – from all political colours. And I know some of my circle are members of the ‘I Love Labour,’ ‘Plaid are Perfect’ or ‘Boris is Brilliant’ Groups.
I choose to be friends with these Political people, and if I join partisan Groups that rightly resonate with me – it’s my Facebook, and my call.
But I don’t expect to see, in my view, inflammatory and unfair Political Posts on a platform that promotes helping all of us through these tough Corona Virus times. And then being told that, if I don’t like it then to basically ‘suck it up Buttercup’ and leave.
Thanks for that, and it’s a total Toodles to you – this is so not what I signed up for.
Deeply disappointed too that a small minority of the other members ‘liked’ and ‘loved’ the diatribe – many of whom I know were flaunting the #BeKind message just a few weeks ago. Does being kind only apply to kindred spirits who agree with your view, and vote the same way as you do then.
I thought this Group were showing personal responsibility, community cohesion, and national solidarity by posting, and responding to offers of help, putting up facts and figures, showing advice and ideas. I was wrong…epic fail from me.
I am no longer a member, I have either been blocked, it’s been disbanded, or is now a private place only – who knows, who cares. I have joined the new Covid 19 Community Group, and intend to post there.
As for the ‘big P,’ my own personal take on the ramifications for society from the Corona Virus, was brilliantly summed up on Newsnight by one of my favourite all time journalists, Emily Maitlis.
I’m with Emily who stated, much more articulately and eloquently, that:
“Corona Virus is a health issue with huge ramifications for social welfare. And it’s welfare issue with huge ramifications for Public Health.”
Feel free to watch the words, I wholeheartedly agree with, here.
My Politics. My View, my Blog.
But in the wider world, I shall try to help all of our community whenever I can, wherever they are, whichever way they vote. Why wouldn’t you?
Please Be Kind Barry.
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
Sue Vincent-Jones, writing as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and communications specialist. She blogs about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
My Corona Virus Diary is her take on this pandemic palaver – the long lingering Lockdown, our queer quarantine, the isolation nation, and how our town took to these crazy Covid 19 times.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.