Dear Anonymous Internet Troll

Dear Anonymous Internet Troll:

We hope you are having a good day. No, we really mean it. 

If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be reminded of our mistakes and shortcomings. Yes, we have all made mistakes in our lives and none of us is perfect.  However, most of us have learned from the mistakes we have made and have accepted whatever shortcomings life has dealt us.

It is because of your constant reminders that we have something to strive for. Your persistent gay bashing, fat shaming, and ethnic slurring posts serve as the fuel in our pursuit to better ourselves. For that we thank you.

Our hope is that, in your perfect world, you will never know what it is like to regain the trust of your family, friends and community. We hope that you will never know what it is like to look yourself in the mirror every morning knowing you have disappointed so many just for being who you are. Finally, we hope that you are able to garner the support and friendships that we have up on top of that perch of yours.

Again, thank you and have a good day because we know the rest of us will.

Sincerely,

The rest of the human race

On this Labor Day

“There is no labor a person does that is undignified -- if they do it right.” ~ Bill Cosby

Mr. Cosby gets it. Unfortunately, most of us fail to. On this, the 120th Anniversary of Labor Day many Americans still go out of their way to cast aspersions upon those who work in industries considered to be undignified. 

All too often we find ourselves looking down our noses at those who serve us our meals, clean our hotels rooms and offices, or pick up our trash at the curb. What makes us any better than they are?  

As a product of the Baby Boom, it was instilled in me to go on to college or I would end up being nothing more than a ditch digger or, heaven forbid, a wife and mother.  It wasn't until my later years, that I realized how asinine this phrase was.  Whether you are a ditch digger, garbage collector, CEO, housekeeper and, yes, wife and mother; these are all honorable professions.

Granted, some may be more financially rewarding than others; but when did we allow financial rewards to trump all else?  We need to instill in our children that as long as they enjoy what they are doing and do it well, there is nothing undignified about the profession they choose. 

As we celebrate this day, take a moment an reflect upon how you interact with those who may not be what we normally would consider the "Captains of Industry". Those who are working on this day while you are enjoying your BBQ's, parades and fireworks. Remember, their job is just as dignified as yours.

Enough Already!

For months, I have been biting my tongue as I see more and more posts by Facebook friends - from close personal friends to merely acquaintances - share disparaging images, memes and statuses concerning those within our community who are utilizing the services available to them from Social Services.  I cannot hold back any longer and if I lose friends because of it, then I will resign myself to the fact that they weren't truly friends in the first place.

For every post you make denigrating those who need food stamps (or SNAP benefits) or financial assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - TANF), you are doing your part in creating a division of classes that has no place in our society.  Many of those who receive SNAP and/or TANF work every day in low paying part time jobs struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table for their families. They are not lazy as so many of your posts imply.  They have sacrificed more for their families and children than you ever will. They wear decades old clothes; not to be trend setters but more because they had to make the conscious decision to pay the gas and electric bill over buying a new winter coat.

Your continual posts about having cell phones and/or Internet on "your dime" only sets the tone that you consider yourself better than those that need these items for activities you have long been taking for granted. Cell phones (many of which they pay on a monthly pay as you go basis) are necessary for them to keep in touch with their employers, potential future employers, their children and, yes, their friends.  Individuals on public assistance are entitled to have friends, aren't they?  The Internet is necessary in today's world to look for better employment opportunities or to master school work (many times in the late hours of the night or wee hours of the morning) before or after their work shifts in order to give themselves a shot at a more stable and higher paying job. Admonishing them and telling them to use the Internet services at the public library is all well and good; tell me where there is a library open 24/7.

Yes, people on assistance do have cars.  Not because it is a luxury but a necessity.  Without a car, many would not be able to get to work unless they live and work within a community's downtown core.  Most public transit routes and schedules, for whatever reason, discriminate against those who are lucky to find employment outside the downtown core or outside the traditional 9 -5 schedule. That is, however, if their community even has a public transit system.

Yes, there are those that take advantage of the system and over time they will be caught and stopped.  However, publicly attacking everyone on the system is not doing anything other than shaming your neighbors and family members who are "playing by the rules" and doing the best they can in these tough economic times.  As we approach the holiday season, let's be thankful for what we do have and, instead of spewing hateful comments, donate to the local food banks or one of the various community dinners planned for the upcoming holiday season; donate clothing that can be used for job interviews by those unable to afford a new outfit.  And, let's not forget the children - donate something to organizations such as "Toys for Tots" for the many that cannot experience a child's holiday joy through no fault of their own.