In light of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation by the senate, many have taken to social media to voice their outrage, and as always, it lacks the touch of serious consideration. I find that no matter what corner of the internet you occupy, in it there will inevitably be alarmists who, lacking in any formal education and armed with thousands of recycled arguments from other social media sites, Youtube videos, and memes, are ready to throw down the gauntlet without any provocation.
Of course, if Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation was denied outright, there would have been backlash soaked in equal parts ignorance and faux moral outrage. Nevertheless, this is the situation in which we find ourselves. Barrett has been confirmed, and the ignorance and phony moral outrage fall on the side of the left as it would have been with the right.
Politics aside, I would like to point you all towards what I believe is a more pertinent issue.
Never before have you been able to watch so many people throw their thoughts and beliefs into the ring to be heard alongside those who have the voice of authority.
Never before could Smith, a rural pig farmer from Iowa, be able to share his views on the nuanced intricacies of our judicial proceedings and be heard by millions of people who then have the ability to recycle his opinions and arguments in and over those people who deal directly with our legal system. In general, this is not a bad thing. It is good that more people have been given a voice regardless of their qualifications.
Giving the voiceless a voice is a morally good thing to do, and I am glad social media has allowed for such a development. However, in giving the voiceless a voice, we have now been given an out for doing any real work of our own to develop our voices. As we now hold all voices to be completely equal.
Contrary to popular belief, under the lens of criticism, not all voices carry the same weight. When it comes to my health, I prioritize the voice of my neurosurgeon over the voice of the faith healer. Likewise, in terms of legal and political matters, the voices of those who have studied the system should be held over those who have only watched Youtube videos about the system.
So the next time that you share a clever meme in hopes of smashing some of your friends who hold different views, try and refrain with all of your might. Do not prioritize the snake oil salesmen over medical doctors. Arguments that appear powerful often have a chink in their armor, especially if they’re in meme format.
This is so timely and so needed. You cut to the core with this paragraph: Giving the voiceless a voice is a morally good thing to do, and I am glad social media has allowed for such a development. However, in giving the voiceless a voice, we have now been given an out for doing any real work of our own to develop our voices. As we now hold all voices to be completely equal”
Like Isaiah, we feel like “a voice crying out in the wilderness” but we are called to do it anyway, in a most loving way.
Well said.
You offer some really great perspectives! Thanks for checking out my blog. Praying you find something helpful or encouraging there!
With you, my friend.