From the Editor
“Where are your manners?” my mother would exclaim if I got out of line as a child. That stern reminder would jolt me back to my senses, making me realize I wasn’t acting or speaking as I should. It was a simple, yet effective way to instill a sense of decorum and respect in me.
Today, it seems as though the entire world has forgotten their manners. From mocking each other and making cruel remarks on social media to threatening celebrities if they decline to take a photo, the lack of basic respect is alarming.
I grew up in a simpler time. In the 1970s, if someone wanted to insult or berate you, they had to do it to your face. Sure, it happened, but it wasn’t as insidious or easy for the bully. Today, there are countless ways to be cruel and mock one another with a mere click on a phone. The anonymity and distance provided by the internet seem to embolden the worst behaviors in people.
The incident last week involving Jason and Kylie Kelce was particularly jarring. How could anyone feel so entitled that they would threaten another person, proclaiming they will never be welcomed in an entire town? This appalling behavior was caught on video, but I have to wonder: how many similar incidents happen every day that don’t make national news?
What happened to the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated? We teach our children that bullying is wrong, yet how many adults hide behind screens, making cruel comments on social media? If you’ve ever belonged to a Facebook group, you know things can get nasty fast. It appears some people are just looking for opportunities to fight with one another.
Monitoring these groups to keep things civil can be exhausting. Dealing with the constant stream of insults hurled through cyberspace makes me consider how difficult and anxiety-inducing it must be to grow up in this era of nonstop communication.
When I came home from school as a teenager, I was off-limits to my peers. They couldn’t access me unless they called the house phone and asked my parents if they could speak to me. I had solid gatekeepers around me. With cell phones today, it is incredibly easy for kids to text, chat, comment, and more without anyone seeing what they’re doing. There are even messages that disappear after being viewed. The thought of it alone puts me on edge.
The digital age has undoubtedly brought many advancements and conveniences, but it has also created a breeding ground for bad manners and bullying. We must strive to reclaim the respect and kindness that seem to have been lost in our rapid technological advancement. Let’s remind ourselves and each other of the importance of manners, both online and offline, and work towards being kinder and more respectful to one another.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
