Social media can be both helpful and dangerous and its dangers are well known. One of the harmful effects of these platforms is the rush by people to post anything and everything without caring who they might hurt or embarrass. I will never understand this. Is it the likes, or that their posts might start trending? Or is it that they are just addicted to posting?
Last week, someone saw it as necessary to post a video of a woman who was obviously emotionally and psychologically affected by a recent breakup. As she cried uncontrollably, at her most vulnerable, sharing her experience with her mother and others, someone was taping her. That someone then posted her distress on social media.
That someone had to be a close associate of the woman or of her family, as they clearly felt comfortable about her being vulnerable in the person’s presence. Unthinkably, the individual exposed the woman’s naked emotions, clearly uncaring about the further harm this could cause. I can only pray that this sister is being supported by people who really care for her.
Within hours of the video being posted, it began to trend and while some did not repost the video (many did) there were numerous posts referring to it.
In the video, the woman, who appears to live in the US, cries mournfully as she relates that her husband “Roy” has left her taking his “green card” and other documents. She is hurt because she worked hard and spent a lot of money taking care of him, all the while he was being deceitful. So hurtful is the experience that she appears to be in physical pain.
I believe that the majority of people could not have watched the video without at least becoming sad. For me, it was heartrending. There are so many lessons to be had from the video. However, unfortunately, women and men will continue to be taken advantage of because that is the nature of the beast called human. We can be so cruel to each other; this has been occurring from time immemorial and will continue.
Some appeared to find the video funny (I still cannot comprehend this), but for the most part people were sad and disturbed that either a close relative or an associate of the woman not only recorded it, but posted it to social media.
Someone close to the woman later posted that they have been reporting the video to Facebook management with the hope of having it removed. They appealed to people not to share it and asked those who had viewed it to report the original poster as well. As expected, they said the circulation of the video has caused more “emotional damage” to the woman and her family.
“This is a very personal moment and should not have been released. All right sister yuh cry… Now it’s ok to be hurt… just pick up yourself now and move forward. You have life and that’s important. You can do it again for yourself now and your kids too,” one Facebook user commented.
“Do not judge her. Depression is real, everyone handle it differently. She is so hurt for the extra sacrifice she made…..there is a God. Be strong,” commented another.
“Heartbreak is real and it actually kills. There are still some people left in this world that truly love others. It’s so sad to see the pain she is experiencing. To the family members that released this video. I wonder what were your intentions? Was it so you might be able to help others or was it to exposed her in her weakest moments? Sister get up, stand strong. God will see you through,” another encouraged.
Let us hope that this sister finds the strength and support to dust off that experience and march forward as life has so much more to offer her.
