I would like to give those people who send me friend requests on FB a disclaimer of sorts. Seriously, whenever I click that friend icon I find myself wondering just how long before I post something that this person will find offensive or I wonder how long before this new ‘friend’ posts something I will find shameful or most unfriendly. So, I am providing a list that describes the kind of person that I am – thereby giving potential friends the option to “friend” or not to “friend.” I believe in choice.
What describes me:
1. I am a liberal: By liberal I mean that if I were to find myself in a lifeboat
(I’d like to think) I would attempt to get as many people in the boat with me
rather than follow a conservative “sink-or-swim” ideology. And, if in my
democrat/socialist zeal, I post items you find offensive – feel free to block or
unfriend me. I’m okay with that.
2. I am an African-American: Just know that I will see you for the potential bigot
you are when you tell me some of your “best friends” are, black, Negro, or
colored (I know, sounds crazy today but…). You are either a decent person
or you are not and, in my mind, the ethnic make-up or your friends bears no
relationship to your decency. Also, please don’t use me as the token African
-American friend to show others just how diverse your friendship pool is.
Oh, before I forget, I am a light-skinned African-American so don’t tell me
I am different. It is a dead give-a-way - telling me I should run not walk
away from you.
3. I am a teacher: I have recently retired from 22 years at the local high school.
So, if you, a former student, happen to come across my picture or a post that
brings back fond memories of me as your teacher – just know that I did my
best to see the potential for goodness in all my students – that includes you.
My approach to teaching was always that I wanted to be the kind of teacher
that I would want for my own son. I am kind. I am generous and compassionate.
If you, for whatever reason, feel compelled to post mean-spirited posts
making fun of – A. poor people or people on public assistance, B. Planned
Parenthood or a woman’s right to choose, C. Hispanics, Native Americans, blacks,
Asians, or any other ethnic group, just know that, as your former teacher, I will
feel a sense shame and embarrassment just before I unfriend you in a most
unceremonious fashion.
By unfriending you I want you to understand there are those who were not born with luck or providence on their side. And if you can’t help then, please, don’t hurt people or their image in a post that may appear on my page. I will not stand silently by and let more agony be heaped upon those less fortunate. And if you never saw any of the above personality traits as part of my personality in the years that you’ve known me, then I’ve done something wrong. Yet another reason NOT to send a friend request.