Hiding behind Facebook Posts

I like it on the floor.
Black with purple polka dots.
"Repost if you love your cats and would do anything for them"
"Repost if you want Cancer to end in 2010"
"Repost if you want to end world hunger"
"Repost if you believe Fairies really do exist"


I've had enough.  I apologize in advance if this blog makes no sense, I'm writing from the gut, and allowing the fingers to flow over the keys without much second thought about it.  Hopefully by the end you'll get my point....hopefully.


Almost every day there are at least 5-10 people on my Wall that have posted something to "raise awareness" about something.  Last year for Breast Cancer the deal was that women were to post the color/design of the bra they were wearing, and not reveal what it was in reference to or about.  This went so viral, and the fact that we actually kept secret what our stati (plural of status?) meant, MADE THE NEWS.  Yes, it made the news.

This week I received no less than 10 "Facebook emails" about "this year's game" which is to place where you like to put your purse when you get home (or get to work, etc).  It's supposed to be some clever innuendo that only forces men to think with their pants -- because again we're not supposed to reveal what we're referencing.  The game is being played to attempt to make the news again -- you would think to help people talk about Breast Cancer -- but really it's "let's see how many men we can confuse that there's enough buzz about it that someone in the Media decides it's worth talking about"  "those women on Facebook are at it again!"  "They've got weird suggestive status updates that are making men go crazy"

As if mentioning where women "like it" is going to make men think about a very serious disease that not only affects women, BUT MEN TOO.  Please, don't you know the men you're friends with on Facebook?!?!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This means that the already absurd amount of pink packaging expands exponentially for 31 days, as most major corporations "partner" with organizations to show their support, when the reality is they're looking to increase sales.  Period.  There are some very real, very effective corporate partnerships that have raised millions of dollars to research, support, and facilities.  So do I believe every pink ribbon package is a crock?  Of course not.  Most of them?  Absolutely.

What's the point?  What does posting some words on a Social Networking site actually accomplish if those who take the bait and repost something DON'T DO ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT?  How does it raise Awareness if we're told that part of the "game" is to KEEP IT A SECRET FROM MEN?

GO AHEAD.  KEEP IT A SECRET.  IT WILL RAISE AWARENESS.  


REALLY?????


I've had enough.  Diseases, bullying, awareness of other serious issues are not trends.  Let's stop treating them as if they're the next "silly bandz" craze.


Let's stop hiding on Facebook, and let's really do something about it.  It's so easy for everyone in the Social Networking world to post something and then claim they are a supporter and do their part to help the cause they're posting about, when in reality they repost because it's easy, and do nothing more.  That to me, is bullshit, to be blunt about it.

Now, if you donate time, money, emotional support, humor and hope, LOVE, and kindness -- then repost away and relish the fact that you are actually doing something about it.  Please keep posting your blogs, pictures, and updates on the cause you are supporting and the impact your help is making.

If you don't back up your Facebook status with time, money, support, etc, then please don't claim to support something when all you're doing is following the latest trend online and following the crowd.  Please don't insult the people and families who have been affected by, died from, or are surviving from, the given cause of the moment.

Just make sure you're doing something about it.  That's all I ask.

If every person who's told me where they "like it" on Facebook, or has reposted about another cause, donated even $2 (the price of a small coffee in most areas) each time they posted about it on Facebook, what a difference that would make.

That is what should make the news.  Not just a status game, but the action the people are taking in reality.

After all -- if there is even one person on Facebook who hasn't already been made aware of these diseases, issues, and current struggles in our world -- then they're not paying any attention, and a Facebook status game is not going to help.

We're all aware of it.  We need to do something about it.

And most of all, remember to love each other.  Listen, and love.