Group Mentality
Senior Moments by
Charles P. Eberson
It has been a while since I have given in to “Ranting,” one of the themes of my column but here I am. In one of my earlier columns, I wrote about my misgivings about some Facebook postings even though they were posted by prior “friends.” My reluctance to join Facebook was overshadowed by my desire to communicate with friends and relatives separated by distant locales and busy schedules. It was also an opportunity to share my photography and view work done by other artists. I found that joining certain groups like families of my father’s old WWII Fighter squadron for example, very rewarding. I soon added some community groups to stay informed with the issues relevant to my neighborhood. As expected, some of these groups have become a vehicle for people airing what I deemed to be petty annoyances and elevating them to irrational levels. These rather mundane issues ranged from the concerns of unleashed dogs on the beach, the size of free trash and recycling cans for residents to the question of biking riding hours on the boardwalk, just to name a few.
Predictably, the present pandemic has raised fear and concern among everyone and rightly so. The threat of illness and death is real but the vitriolic attacks on these local Facebook groups shines a spotlight on the shortsightedness, selfishness and ignorance of some people in the community; people who puff themselves up by banging on a keyboard but will not air their concerns at a commissioners’ meeting.
Recently, there have been postings comparing our local police department to the German Gestapo of World War II. This unjustified outrage is based on them enforcing regulations set forth by our governor. The fact is the Gestapo pulled people out of their homes, put them up against the wall and shot them in the street. As unpopular as some of these regulations may be, it is the duty of our police officers to uphold them. There have also been comparisons of these regulations to the German propaganda machine which resulted herding the Jews into boxcars bound for concentration camps. Yes, these are comments that were posted and I can’t help but think there are others who think similarly but refrain from posting on a public forum. It is unconscionable to make such a comparison when all we are subjected to is isolating in our homes where we have heat, food, water, sanitation and even toilet paper.
Worst of all, comparing our police department to the Gestapo as well as comparing citizens who notify the police of a failure of social distancing does nothing less than minimize the horrific and evil actions against humanity to which they refer. Yet, these are the very people who will call 911 for something as serious as an intruder in their home or as minor as a noise complaint and expect a quick response.
Recently, our Governor lifted the restrictions on parks and since many people still could not adhere to the guidelines for social distancing, some parks were closed after just one day. Sadly, this further illustrates the need for a segment of the population to have restrictions placed upon them. These are highly emotional times but these emotions should be calmed and our focus must be on mental strength.
Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson.fineartamerica.com
