Why has disrespect become a national pastime?
When I put my first post on Facebook about eight years ago, I thought the site was a brilliant idea — exciting, new and loads of fun as more and more friends joined, sharing jokes and photos of nights out. Over the years, however, this once amicable social network, like so many others, has turned sour. It has become a place for others to vent their frustration with the world and everyone in it. I’m all for sharing views and expressing opinions, but when did it become OK to shout someone down and hurl abuse? Too many people post things with little or no thought for their impact on others. On another online platform, I was continually informed that by refusing to breastfeed my children I was ensuring they would be aggressive and sick, while many posters claimed that you’re a selfish mother if you don’t breastfeed. Yet none of those with such militant views knew I was medically unable to breastfeed my children. When I informed them, most replied: ‘no offence meant.’ Really? So that’s OK then? Should we really accept that it’s more acceptable to give offence and apologise later than not cause offence in the first place? As a mother of two beautiful boys, all I want is for them to be safe and happy. I don’t want them to fall foul of internet bullying. how do we stop this? We should respect one another. It’s not just online where respect is an issue. I’m all for helping Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, but we should know whom we’re helping. I don’t think it’s racist to ask those who come to our country to integrate with us and abide by our laws, as is expected of us when we travel abroad. People who want to keep themselves separate with their own language, laws and schools should think twice before shouting ‘we’re being segregated’ and have more respect for their adopted country, which is trying to help them. I worry for my boys. I worry what their life will be like in a society that has made disrespect a national pastime. I don’t care what colour a person is. If they respect me and my country, I will respect them, regardless of race or creed.
AMANDA RIRIE, Broxted, Essex.