POLOKWANE – While I sit in the comfort of my own home, typing this piece for our readers, I had to stop for a bit and realise that in doing so, I was using my right as a South African citizen, to express my thoughts and opinions.
In fact, in celebrating Human Right’s Day today, I used more than one right throughout the day. From getting up this morning (the right to life) and going to the gym and working out with new friends I’ve made (freedom of association), I realised that in everything we do, we are making use of our constitution and bill of rights.
But that got me thinking of two things we use on a daily basis. 1. Freedom of Expression and 2. Social Media and how the two have somehow become synonymous with controversy and hate.
Now let me track back and let’s go through what the Bill of Rights states is Freedom of Expression.
It says: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom of the press and other media; freedom to receive or impart information or ideas; freedom of artistic creativity; and academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.”
It’s limitations are: “The right in subsection (1) does not extend to propaganda for war; incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm…”
Now with that in mind, let’s have a look at social media. With so many platforms to choose from, social media allows us to share our lives with not only friends and family but with the world. Whether it be a photo on Instagram or a post on Facebook. Social Media also allows us to gain information quickly, as it’s happening as well as share, but for some, social media has been to their detriment.
There have been plenty cases of racism in the country which have stemmed from social media that have made headlines across South Africa. For example, Penny Sparrow’s facebook post, Vicki Momberg’s racist rant on video and the racist attack at a KFC in Pretoria that went viral on social media. These are all cases of people, expressing themselves, knowing what they were saying and doing and knowing the consequences thereof.
But at some point, we have to ask ourselves, when is it too much? You know the saying a drunk mind tells a sober heart? In some cases, a facebook post shares way more than that and what does it result in? A vicious cycle of hate and racism.
Now I’m not saying that the world constantly has to be rainbows and smiles but I don’t want it to be a racist cesspool of hate either. Do you? And the harsh reality these days, in my opinion, is that we are leaning towards the latter, rather than the former.
I’m also not saying that we should stop using social media but what I am saying is we should be more mindful of what we post and spread positivity rather than negativity.
Yes, I might sound like an old cliche stuck record but is it wrong of me to want a better South Africa for all?
The one thing I always do before posting on social media is THINK and if this is the last thought I leave you with today then let it be this:
Always THINK before posting:
T – Is it true?
H – Is it helpful?
I – Is it inspiring?
N – Is it neccessary?
K – Is it kind?
I wish you all a happy Human Right’s Day and I leave you with this quote by former president, Nelson Mandela:
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
