But, not today as what I read recently in the news was not funny. It was, in fact, very troubling to me and perhaps others as well.
As stated before, other than blogging, I don't participate on social media sharing networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit, Yelp, TripAdvisor, WeChat, Tumblr, WhatsApp to name a few. My non-participation is a personal choice.
Many folks, including those in our family, are eager FB participants and post much about their activities. Unfortunately, none of which I see (again, that's OK). Sadly, like others, they rely on social media and refrain from emails or texts to share family news/photos. Writing an email or posting a card/letter is fast becoming old-fashioned, albeit a lost tradition. (But, I won't go down that path here as it would be another rant.)
So, here's the backstory on this rant about social media. For those who may not have heard, seen on the news, or read about it, here's a version with no names. There's always room for interpretation or inaccuracies as various news outlets that provided the details are themselves a form of social media.
As reported, first in a local KY daily, and then exploded in the media, a private Louisville, KY, Christian school expelled a 15-year old female student after learning that she had celebrated her birthday with family at a local restaurant in late December.
What & Why?
In a photo, the girl's mother posted to her own FB page, the daughter was shown wearing a multi-color sweater and smiling in front of a rainbow-themed cake with candles. The mom said the cake was a fun treat. She provided a bakery receipt listing the cake design as "assorted colors"
A rainbow is seen as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer pride (LGBTQ) rights. In a statement, the mom reportedly said, "Just because I'm wearing a rainbow doesn't mean I'm gay. I ordered the cake, and it didn't mean anything else.
The expulsion followed when the photo was shared with school officials by someone else. (That would make me wonder why? someone would do that, a personal vendetta?)
What did a top school official do?
Nothing as personal as a phone call. The head of school sent an email in January stating the girl's enrollment was terminated, effective immediately, because of a social media post. The expulsion email read in part: “The WA Administration has been made aware of a recent picture, posted on social media, which demonstrates a posture of morality and cultural acceptance contrary to that of (the school's) beliefs. Any further promotion, celebration or any other action and attitudes counter to (the school's) philosophy will not be tolerated.”
The school reportedly stated: “Our code of conduct is on par with other private Christian schools in our area . . . It is unfortunate that one of the student’s parents chose to post internal family matters on social media."
Rejecting the mother's previous explanation about the cake, the school cited “inaccurate media reports” which suggested that the girl was expelled solely because of the FB post. “She has unfortunately violated our student code of conduct numerous times over the past two years.”
The girl's family said it was stunned by the school’s expulsion rationale. Her mother confirmed her daughter was placed on earlier probation, but had since been improving. The family was told that the expulsion could be re-classified as "voluntary withdrawal" on her transcript if she applied to other schools. She now attends a public school.
No details on alleged transgressions preceded expulsion, the school cited KY law and its guidelines, “All parents who enroll their children in our private school know upfront that we ask the students to adhere to a lifestyle informed by our Christian beliefs.”
The school is affiliated with a local Baptist church and can refuse admission/discontinue the enrollment of a current student who may go against its religious beliefs. The Louisville Fairness Ordinance, passed in 1999, contains exemptions for religious organizations and schools.
This incident received national news attention, The school has been inundated with negative feedback online, most likely on various forms of social media.
WHY this post?
First, the school and its administration are apparently within their legal rights. While I may not agree with the position, the point here wasn't to chastise or judge. Instead, what concerns me (and others) is how much people share on social media not realizing any repercussions or unforeseen reactions. And, yes this could apply to a blog post too.
What about you — Do you have strong thoughts (or not) on the impacts of social media.
WHY this post?
First, the school and its administration are apparently within their legal rights. While I may not agree with the position, the point here wasn't to chastise or judge. Instead, what concerns me (and others) is how much people share on social media not realizing any repercussions or unforeseen reactions. And, yes this could apply to a blog post too.
What about you — Do you have strong thoughts (or not) on the impacts of social media.
21 comments:
this is a perfect example of why there should only be public schools.
Social media is a minefield, but it is a way to keep in better contact with family at the very least. You really don't have to engage in the silliness. Families can form their own private groups if they want and not bother with anything else.
In the case cited here, it exposes a dark side of so-called Christianity, which would otherwise stay hidden.
Otherwise, I agree with Red, at least as far religious schools not receiving any public funding at all.
I agree with Red’s comment. Too many claim to be Christian but don’t abide by the tenets.
The best advice I received was when email became common. The advice was never to post anything Online that you wouldn't want to see posted by the water cooler for everyone to see. Forever.
A good rule of thumb is to never put anything out in public that you wish to keep private. That is why I don't use my real name or real names of anyone I write about. I don't have the right to put them into the public eye.
As to the situation you wrote about I wonder if the school and sponsoring church could withstand the kind of scrutiny they perform on others.
What bothers me the most, is that nowadays we are being monitored everywhere - and this invasion of privacy is unnervingly reminiscent of the Bolsheviks and the Nazis.
I'm sure that many people don't realize how dangerous it is to post things on social media. We think only family and friends see it - when in fact the entire world has access to it.
I used to have a Face Book account long ago. I liked being in contact with relatives and friends - - but FB was demanding more and more personal information. When I refused to comply, they wouldn't let me access my account. I received an email saying that they wanted a copy of my birth certificate to prove that my account wasn't fictitious!!!
That was the last straw. I left and never went back.
I now avoid all social media, except blogging.....and I often worry about the personal information I reveal on my blog. I like to be honest about myself - but there is a great danger in revealing too much.
As Anvilcloud says, social media is a minefield.It is very easy to overshare without realising. The situation you describe is really quite sad, I hope the young woman will be able to just be herself in a less bigoted school environment.
Oh well, of all days I happened to do some blog reading today and wandered over. I long ago gave up blogging for my Facebook which I enjoy tremendously and use as I control it, for constant fast communication, as you know..It is not for everyone. I think people need to be aware of what they post or show anywhere anymore, that is just reality. Even something written is easily mis-interpreted, written words do not always convey the tone of intent..people read thru their own lenses and minds,,,.ah well another story. I disagree with the anti Christian comments and leave it there. The school may have its reasons and I was unaware of this story, so not sure where you heard it or how slanted the media was that reported it. Maybe it was meant to stir a bias against private Christian schools too. If it is really true and I say that because so much on media is not today, it is indeed sad because sounds like intention was not anything more than have a mixed colors cake, but it happened. Maybe the intention was to stir the pot, there are many people who delight in just that. If I were the parent I would consider it fortunate that the school showed itself to be over reactionary and would not want my child there. Then again I am doubtful it just happened as described. That's the world today, believe little of what you hear or read, if you were not there be skeptical. I never expected a rainbow to become such a coopted symbol but it has. And I do not know why but my Book Blog seems to have the sign in preference over my Posts Blog so whatever I write to bloggers shows as the Books...something else I can ignore.
I don't use much of the media. I don't post anything on Facebook except a few videos of my granddaughter singing to share with my friends and family. I do keep a blog. two or three times a year, I have my blog posts printed in a hard cover book. These are for my family. And I agree, people post just too much personal information on the different medias. You have a wonderful evening, hugs, Edna B.
What surprises me is that people can't see what goes on. I was once a Facebook member but soon realised my folly. I pulled out but the rest of my family were so smitten by FB they put up with all the fighting and sarcasm. Public schools are by far the best option for youngsters.
To me a rainbow is just a rainbow :)
In Blogger there are all kinds of blogs from daily personal blogs to anonymous blogs without name or picture.
Personal blogs (online diaries) can complicate one's life; it depends on where one resides. For example, I'm following a blog of a yoga instructor. Yoga is associated with health and well-being. Well, this particular instructor does have some health issues. I keep thinking that in my country she wouldn't get a job at all in the yoga field. Here, she freely writes about her issues in her blog.
As for the case described in your post - as long as the religious school is privately funded, I don't take interest in its policy. The trouble is that in my country religious schools are publicly funded because of coalition interests, so I don't approve of certain things regarding these schools.
Thanks to everyone for your comments which were vert interesting to read as I share many of the sentiments expressed. While we may never be privy to all the "fact's in this incident, the fact remains that discrimination exists in many forms even by so-called organizations that claim to reject such notions and embrace Christian views. Sometimes, the expression "What would Jesus do?" should be reframed because it apparently isn't always applicable to all.
I have an account on Facebook but no longer use it. Other members of my family do but I get all info and pictures about our family from either husband or son and personal e-mails from friends and family. I enjoy my blog and I enjoy Instagram but there I only usually post photos without too with hardly any narration. I definitely don't like what I hear about misinformation, and stories like this one. Interesting post Dorothy with much to ponder on.
I like social media mainly for keeping up with family activities. But I am aware that it can be dangerous.
For a country that prides itself on being advanced they certainly have some archaic ideas. If they did that here there would have been uproar and the people respocible taken to court for Predigest. They need to get their heads out of the sand
i personally think that Jesus himself, would have taken issue not only with the school, but also the person who tattled on this young woman. social media is a hotbed of controversy. seems you can't be yourselves these days unless you conform to certain norms in some parts of society. my daughters loved rainbows and unicorns when they were kids. nothing wrong with that. people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones and i think there are probably plenty of people at that school that wouldn't like their own lives scrutinized like that. i say shame on them . and tell people to be careful online' cause you never know who is going to invade your privacy. on my blog i put it all there. it's cathartic. but i probably shouldn't.
I think some of these Christian schools would expel even Jesus if he were to come back and attend their school as a student. You know, because of the dress, hair, progressive views.
I have strong privacy settings on my FB account. I don’t use any other social media, except blogging.
I didn't see this post but wow. I think a Christian school should be forgiving and loving of all. Isn't that what Jesus preached?
I do post on and enjoy Facebook, but I am very careful about what I post there. You never know who is reading it. I don't know all the details and backstory of this particular case, but I do consider it cause for alarm.
God sent a rainbow to Noah after the floods.
I've never had a FB account, or Twitter. Not really interested.
I agree with Red- there should only be public schools. That's ridiculous.
I post under a pen name online, so I'm less concerned about what I post, but at the same time, I prefer being private.
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