Profile Me

So there's an ongoing debate amongst the community (I'm sure any community with internet access) about the role of social networks. Basically, two arguments are leading the charge: The right to privacy and freedom of speech and those who believe that your profile is more important than who you are. Let's break this down; some of us use these social networking sites as a way to connect with their friends, family, etc. believing that what's shared in there's and there's only. No one has the right to censor their activity nor their conversations because of their 1st amendment rights. I agree with this. Anything I say is my business. Anything on my page is my business and shouldn't be used against me in any way because no one outside of my network understands the context of what's being said or what's being done.

That's pretty simple to understand, right? Let's look at the other side of the argument:

If you say something or post something, because your name and face is associated with what's being said and done, that represents a part of you. Employers may look at your profile, see your likes and dislikes, or see pictures you've been in, and notice that the majority of your life revolves around activities that may not represent their companies in the proper fashion. You tell your parents that you're in college, using their money for its intended use, however, your status said you just woke up late for class due to a hangover from the wild party from the night before. You can understand why your parents may be upset at your actions and have a hard time trusting that you're doing what's right. I must also agree with this. If the shoe fits, you have to wear it. There is evidence out here that supports the idea that you may not be who you say you are. See, people believe what they can see. Change is conceptual, pictures are for real. If I can see a picture of you doing something, but you tell me how much you've changed, then I'll admit, it is harder for me to believe what you're saying when there's hard evidence right in front of my face. That's just logical. You can walk outside and know the sky is blue because as you look, you see, the sky is blue. It was blue yesterday, it'll probably be blue tomorrow. Now, if someone ran in and said the sky was orange, for whatever reason, you still would need proof. Facts usually outweigh opinion.

So, we've seen both sides of the argument, now let's talk about what it really is.

If you're too impressionable to handle what you're seeing in a mature way, then maybe you don't need to spend your days surveying the website looking for things to complain about. It would be one thing if you were looking to hire someone for some job, but you aren't, then what you need to do is understand that this profile only represents me; it is who I want others to see me as. Meaning, if you've never sat down and had a conversation with me, gotten to know me on a more personal level, or taken the time to see me outside of the image portrayed on these sites, then you have no right to judge me. Actually, if you're a Christian, you have no right to judge me at all. To make things a little more general, think about the fact that if something is said, I'm sure its said for a reason. Whether its a rap lyric, a thought, an emotion, or just a moment, something is said for a reason. And how its said is probably a good indication of what's going on. That is NOT, I repeat, NOT your cue to enter the situation throwing your opinions around. Especially when they have nothing to do with my situation. I'll give you an example:

Status: Such-n-Such tired of these fake ass nigga actin like they the shit grow up and be a man for once and stop actin like a bitch

Reply: Aw [Such-n-Such] angry about something, whats with all the bad words, remember alot of ur Aunts is on this web site. Be a little respectful! Its OK i do understand.

Now what did that reply have to do with the issue at hand? If anything, shouldn't the person replying see in what ways the poster needed help, instead of talking about how she felt about seeing the post? Who's the priority here? The person with the issue, or the person offended by the language? I bet she never took the time to think, like, "You know what, niggas are fake these days" and "They probably should grow up and be men." Makes sense to me. But, the point of it all is to say this; some people just take things too serious. That's just it. On both ends. Those who feel the need to say what they want may very well say things so off the wall that, in actuality, their making a cry for help. They may think they're making a point, but perhaps they aren't going about it in the right way. Also, the people who judge others on what's on the site also take things too serious. If your pure, innocent, virgin eyes can't handle the harsh, disabling information that you see on the site, then maybe you don't need to be a part of it all.

In the end, I don't take any of it seriously. If someone says something that throws up flags for me, then I'll either ask what's wrong, or depending on the context, keep my distance; not everything is my business. Also, I won't say anything too serious or dramatic on my site because I'm not the type of person who desires that type of attention. I say things in fun, in song, or to get it off my chest so that the burden ceases to weigh down on me. But, if I choose to say something out-of-the-way, I have every right to (well, if you still believe in democracy and privacy).

I think I've said all that needs to be said here. I know this issue won't go away because there are so many people on both sides of this issue. What side will you take? Until we meet again, please Please, PLEASE ... don't be a failure!