The ABC's of parenting

Dear Mom & Dad:
 
In English class today the teacher gave this assignment:  Write a letter to someone, who is not a peer  (a friend) and try to persuade him/her to think about something in a different way.  The student was to choose an issue that he felt greatly impacted his life and one that he was willing to take a risk over.
 
I chose to write to you about how you appear on Facebook to your “Friends”.  I’m apologizing in advance.  As the well- known, Catholic-writer Flannery O’Connor once said: “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”
 
In case you haven’t realized it yet, Facebook is really more than what you think it is:  It is not just a way to “creep” others or to rant or to reconnect with old friends.  Facebook is both a window into the soul of another and a mirror that reflects who we are back at us.  Unfortunately, Mom & Dad, if you looked in the Facebook mirror you probably wouldn’t like what you saw—if you could see yourself clearly at all.
 
Your Facebook posts following this 2016 Election have shown a side of you that is puzzling; your memes and comments have been insignificant, irrelevant...insidious.  Invasive. And I am thinking that maybe you are unaware that your activity has caused division, defines racism and portrays you as being unknowing, unjust, and unkind.

There are way too many examples for me to site here, so I suggest you take a look for yourself.

There is a saying:  Parents are a child’s first teacher.  What I am saying:  The teaching never stops—not ever. 
 
Yours truly,
Your Child’s English Teacher


Note:  This blog was inspired by a wonderful man and parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, Karl K., who has taught me a thing or two about discouraging anger and not promoting hate.  Thank you Karl!