Wednesday, July 18, 2012

think before you post

A lot of people get in trouble by saying things they shouldn't on facebook, twitter, etc. It's easy to rant in a status update, or tweet in the moment of anger. Sometimes we can delete our comments before it's too late & we've hurt someone's feelings. Sometimes we never even realize what we've said is inappropriate.

[ see update below regarding referenced photo ]

I have seen this photo posted several times by my friends on facebook. I understand the humor behind it; however, let's think about what we're posting before we do it. Think about the potential adopted children who might see you laughing at this joke. As a mother of an adopted daughter, I hope she is NEVER the butt of a joke like this. Adoption is not something to be ashamed of, or upset about, or embarrassed by. Adoption is a beautiful thing, and it is the means by which God has made us His children.

Am I over-analyzing this supposedly humorous poster? Probably. Do I think less of the people who post this image & think it is funny? Definitely not. I understand the whole "I told my little brother he is adopted and he believes me" joke. But that is child's humor. If you are a child, then by all means, laugh at that joke. But as an adult, you should see the inappropriateness. I am sure I sound like a stick-in-the-mud to some of you. Normally I am not so sensitive about jokes like this. I just want to make people aware of the feelings that might be hurt by something like this. Adoption is obviously a sensitive subject to me, and I just want us to all think about things like this before we post them. In a world where so many are becoming aware of cyber-bullying, and real-life bullying, let's not support ugly jokes like this one. In fact, let's be even less specific and just try not to post anything that might be hurtful to someone; regardless of the subject matter.

I know I need to work on that.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11


:: UPDATE ::


I received a comment on this post from the person pictured in the photo. Because of his story (click here to read) I have removed the photo. Just know that it was a photo that poked fun at adoption. If you know what photo I'm referring to; great. If not, then just take the message & intent of this post and run with it. ;-)

5 comments:

  1. You know how I feel about adoption as well. I've found this totally inappropriate too. The thing is that we are all adopted by God, and that's definitely not a laughing matter. It was life or death, and He chose life for us. Adoption means a child has a life who might not have otherwise. That's a huge blessing, definitely not a joke. Thank you for speaking out!

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  2. Powerful thoughts! Thanks for reminding me to think before I tweet/post/comment. It's easy to get relied up at someone and hide behind a computer with your words/posts. I hate it when people do that, so thanks for reminding me not to be that person! :)

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    Replies
    1. Autocorrect, you are a sly one....RILED up. Sorry Laura!

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  3. I am the laughing baby and was asked to comment on this joke using a 1959 photo of my cousin and me without permission (ironically, I am adopted):

    http://eagoodlife.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/hey-dude-the-real-story/

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  4. Sincere thanks Laura. I wish the picture was just funny all by itself.

    Andrew Howe

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