Notes on Social Media Judgment and Hate Speech

Overview

• Discussion on social media and real-life perceptions.
• Importance of understanding the impact of judgments made online.

Social Experiment

• Participants unaware of the purpose of their presence.
• Activity involved scrolling through Instagram accounts.
• First impressions were shared by the participants:
  • Judgments included comments on pretentiousness and peculiarity of individuals.
  • Examples included derogatory remarks about a person's appearance and lifestyle choices.
  • Participants expressed reluctance to associate with those they judged online.

Hate Speech vs. Criticism

• Definition of Hate Speech:
  • Negative comments that threaten or harm individuals.
  • Example: "I don’t like your work, I will kill you."
• Importance of recognizing the line between criticism and hate speech.
  • Criticism can be constructive, whereas hate speech is harmful.

Insights from the Social Experiment

• Everyone experiences phases and has different personas online versus in real life.
• Individuals in marginalized communities (e.g., transvestites) face unique challenges.
  • They often disguise themselves due to societal pressures.
• Hate speech often stems from a misguided intention to correct others.
  • The distinction between wanting to help and crossing boundaries.

Personal Experiences

• Participants shared personal stories of discrimination and hurt due to their choices (e.g., tattoos).
  • Feelings of being a minority and facing societal judgment.
• Emphasis on the importance of understanding and empathy.
  • "Everything is about your heart" - looking beyond appearance.

Dialogues and Understanding

• Importance of finding similarities rather than focusing on differences.
• Encouragement for dialogue and constructive feedback:
  • Listening and empathizing with others can lead to better understanding.
• Belief that everyone is born good and intentions may be misdirected due to upbringing.

Conclusion

• A hope that the video and discussion can promote learning and understanding.
• Encouragement to seek depth in people rather than making quick judgments based on appearances.