My Holiday Wish
The end of the calendar year brings with it holidays from multiple cultures and belief systems. From the most obvious, Christmas, to Hanukkah, the widely known Jewish celebration of lights, to the pagan celebration of Winter Solstice, December is the month of multiple celebrations. These holiday observations contain a unifying message- one of peace and unity.
These messages of peace and goodwill appear at odds with the reality I see on social media. On LinkedIn, in particular, there has been a spate of racist, antisemitic, homophobic, and misogynistic content over the last few months. Comments range from veiled bigotry to unapologetically prejudiced. Antisemitism, in particular, has amped up since Hamas’s October attacks on Israel.
I am not about to debate anyone on why they may hold the beliefs they do. In the US, we are afforded freedom of speech. I take this to mean that even those who express opinions with which I disagree and stances which I may personally find repugnant are free to express them. Freedom of speech and expression is imbued in the Constitution, and no one can face retaliation for speaking out against the government. Constitutional protection of speech does not mean you are free to say whatever you want without consequence; it only means that the government cannot persecute you for voicing your disagreement or disgust with the government. Surprisingly, many Americans don’t understand this and seem to be under the impression that “freedom of speech” means that they can say whatever they wish with impunity.
One of the fantastic things about our modern world is its diversity. We live and work with people of different beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences, making our shared experiences all the richer. Yet, there remains an ignorance of what is unknown, often expressed in various forms of hate speech.
LinkedIn is rife with such abhorrent behavior. What began as an online networking platform for professionals, the site now is the receptacle of all types of inappropriate content. From “My Husband Cheated on Me and I Posted about It on LinkedIn” to crying CEOs, LinkedIn is sometimes cringeworthy. Yet nothing is as hair-raising as blatant, unapologetic bigotry.
I am shocked and disappointed in some of the content posted on the platform. What is truly astounding is that on a platform that is ostensibly dedicated to advancing personal brands and career aspirations, people seem to have no problem with posting repugnant comments and screeds for all the world—potential employers included—to see.
The internet is forever. Your comments, racist diatribes, homophobic rants, antisemitic tropes, and misogynistic beliefs are memorialized for all to see. Forever. Is this the mark you want to leave on the world? To those who post such content on public forums, I encourage you to do better in the coming year. Not only will your personal brand improve, but the world will thank you.
In the spirit of unity and reflection that the end-of-year holidays bring, it is disheartening to witness the discord sown by inappropriate content on platforms like LinkedIn. As we stand on the cusp of a new year, let it be an opportunity for positive change. Let us harness the power of our voices and digital presence to foster an environment of respect and understanding. May we all commit to being ambassadors of positivity, shaping our digital footprints with integrity and professionalism that uplifts and unites us. Here’s to a year ahead where we strive to do better and be better.
Peace.