I have developed a severe case of outrage fatigue. Am I the only one?
I open my computer and read the news, then scan through social media. There is a torrent of indignation pouring forth. ICE. Trump. Minnesota. Somalian daycare. Church invasions. The NFL is fixed. The Dodgers are destroying baseball. Pedophiles running amok in the halls of power. It is a dizzying menu of anger. But lately there has been a new wrinkle thrown into the mix. I’m not sure what to even call it but it’s there in plain view. It’s a strange new performative guilt-shaming aimed at people who aren’t sufficiently outraged.
Suddenly, it’s not enough that people feel the need to daily broadcast their rage on social media. Now they feel compelled to disparage those of us who have remained “silent”. Our lack of daily memes castigating Trump or AOC is now taken as proof of something sinister. Perhaps we are closet Communists or mouth-breathing MAGA’s. If we aren’t out in the streets blocking traffic or boycotting this company or that we are clearly not down for the struggle. Our perceived apathy is not sufficiently equal to “the moment.”
I would like to offer a counter explanation for my lack of an acceptable level of zeal for this “moment”. I simply don’t have the emotional bandwidth required to be in a perpetual state of apoplectic, spittle-spewing rage 24/7. I just don’t. Psychologists claim that a human being is only capable of deep emotional connection with roughly 100-150 other human beings. This sounds right to me. But even if I could manage a huge reserve of empathy and indignation about say…2,000 people, my ability to do anything of substance for them is severely limited. So, what exactly does posting all day every day of social media actually do to move the needle? Nothing. That’s what. Actually, that’s not entirely true. It does accomplish one important thing. It makes the angry poster feel good, enhances their sense of moral superiority—and that is a powerful rush.
Although I can literally do absolutely nothing to change events a thousand miles away from me, I can do something about the Asian lady who got her car stuck in the snow at the entrance to her culdesac. I can take a friend to a doctor’s appointment because they don’t want to drive on the icy streets. I can remember to check up on the members of my family to make sure they are ok when the temperatures plunge into single digits. I can annoy my friends with texted dad jokes. In other words—for those who God has given me the motive and opportunity to be a blessing to, I need to act on those opportunities. I will keep informed on all the other lunatics running wild through our country. I will pray for peace. But I’ll leave the performative rage to others.
I do wish people wouldn’t have enabled this ungodly horror by their votes, but MAGA and the last election are proof their minds won’t easily change. Sometimes an electorate, and Christ’s Church have to learn the hard way. The history of God’s people is replete with such examples. In times like these, praying “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven” is probably the most effective thing we can do.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly! I have a friend who is depressed and outraged that his friends don't speak out against what he considers important, almost to the point of trying to manipulate with guilt. That attitude does nothing except to alienate, cause even more division.
ReplyDeleteI have also, responded that we are responsible for helping others on a personal level, as you have alluded to with your words.
Good job expressing your views in a calm, respectful way.