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Original poster

SpaceX vs George Floyd

126 replies

focuspuller · 31/05/2020 18:47

AIBU to be baffled that so many of my acquaintances on social media are happy to share comments and reactions to the SpaceX/NASA flight but are not sharing similar reactions or comments about the murder of George Floyd?

OP posts:
SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito · 31/05/2020 22:32

It's not improper, you doofus. It's not the same as doing something useful though, is it?

Talking about the George Floyd murder on my FB wall would do absolutely nothing. Other than (if I was a tosser) making me feel self righteous and important.

It's a bit like prayer. You get to feel good, and feel like you've done something important, that you have helped, but in reality you're just talking to yourself.

If you want to do something, DO SOMETHING. Lobby your MP regarding our government's stance on and response to these murders (because it's not just this one. There's the next, and the next, and the next.). Research the groups in the US that are working directly on this issue, donate to them - money or skills, whatever you can do. But don't fool yourself into thinking you are solving anything by shouting on your social media.

SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito · 31/05/2020 22:34

raising awareness ???? Who the fuck isn't aware of this? I'm not friends with anyone stupid enough to not have fucking well noticed what's going on!

Quartz2208 · 31/05/2020 22:42

@GreytExpectations I never said it was just about George Floyd.

This discussion should be about whether not mentioning it on facebook means you are neutral or (as the OP put it) on the side of the oppressor.

You then declare that social media is a useful tool - and it is but the impact most of us posting support is minimal and some of us dont use social media in that way (age perhaps). Maybe you do have followers on various social media (I dont have twitter or Insta for example)

Or that from my sofa in the UK their is sadly very little I can do about the years of ingrained racism in US society and that as Sir Samuel says would do very little if I posted on facebook

tttigress · 31/05/2020 22:50

@ITonyah

I posted a photo of the ISS and Dragon on my Insta. I was very proud of it. I keep my social media resolutely non political, its mainly dog pictures. I left FB because of the virtue signalling and anger.
Good idea, I wish everyone would do that.

Have to stay on Facebook for event invites and to see good news from friends.

Facebook should be for congratulating people on their wedding, birthday etc. etc.

If people start getting political, I mute them for 30 days.

NameChangedToProtect1 · 31/05/2020 22:50

@GreytExpectations
You are condoning riots and violence. I dread to think what you are encouraging others to do elsewhere.

isitfridayyet1 · 31/05/2020 22:57

Gosh people are totally missing the point on this thread! If it was a young white woman who had been killed that way by the police you'd all be up in arms never mind going on about some rocket!

TheFencePainter · 31/05/2020 23:00

If it was a young white woman who had been killed that way by the police you'd all be up in arms never mind going on about some rocket!

Actually. No.

ItsGoingTibiaK · 31/05/2020 23:03

@isitfridayyet1

Gosh people are totally missing the point on this thread! If it was a young white woman who had been killed that way by the police you'd all be up in arms never mind going on about some rocket!
I think, actually, most people completely get the point - it’s just that many don’t agree with it.
Quartz2208 · 31/05/2020 23:14

@isitfridayyet1

No that isnt the point of the thread - I would be as disgusted as I am right now but I still would not post about it on facebook or social media

i shouldnt have to positively affirm that on facebook

LastTrainEast · 31/05/2020 23:31

It's not enough to care about something. You must tell other people on social media that you care so you get credit for caring.

bushhbb · 31/05/2020 23:33

Nothing wrong with choosing to support privately by donating and signing petitions.

My problem is people being more outraged at looting than murder. I don't agree with looting especially when it involves small businesses but really? People like Katie Hopkins are just jumping with glee. Not a peep about RIP to the victims, but very vocal about 'thugs'

But I'm off topic now

walkingchuckydoll · 31/05/2020 23:35

If it was a young white woman who had been killed that way by the police you'd all be up in arms never mind going on about some rocket!

No. I only have my family and very close friends on facebook and since half of my fsmily is from ethnic origin (or whatever the british term is these days) they might already suspect that I'm against racism. I suspect that they also aren't rascist. My posting would change nothing.

Also, this reads like you think that all mumsnetters are white and female, and that is not true.

I didn't post about the rocket but I love space exploration and anything to do with the ISS. The ISS stands for international space station, and unites us. You'd think that you would like that concept. The fact that the dragon is a US vehicle and project doesn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things (although the US might like some positivity right now). it will be used by people all over the world. What is not to like?

Tumbleweed101 · 01/06/2020 08:19

I put a link on my fb about the rocket as it was going live because I, and some of my friends, are interested in science and space.

I haven’t put anything about George Floyd because it’s something I’d be more likely to discuss on a forum than in my private fb where I have a variety of people like my elderly aunt. I haven’t even talked about the virus on my fb either. There are plenty of other platforms for making my views felt.

FrodoTheDodo · 01/06/2020 08:33

Maybe some people feel deeply uncomfortable about the horrific killing of a man being reduced to trite phrases, 'likes' and crying faced emojis.

Oysterbabe · 01/06/2020 08:40

I like to keep my FB light, it doesn't mean I don't care.

CovidicusRex · 01/06/2020 08:44

I haven’t seen posts about space x at all. I’ve seen a couple about the floyd situation from various people/organisations. I guess it just depends on who you follow. I only have one friend that’s into space stuff on Facebook but quite a few people who are interested in politics.

curtainsforme · 01/06/2020 08:50

There's a long way to go before white people see kneeling on a black guy's neck until he is dead as reaction-worthy as a space rocket.

Oh come on OP this is absolutely ridiculous.

You can't draw a conclusion like that based on what someone shares on bloody Facebook Confused

NeutrinoWrangler · 01/06/2020 08:55

Not everyone uses social media as a place to comment on negative or unpleasant news stories. For many, it's entertainment and an escape from stress and reality. Not at all surprising that some would feel more comfortable sharing something positive but not something negative.

It's really none of your business what people choose to comment on or ignore. If it bothers you, mute or unfollow them.

Adrianneannanne · 01/06/2020 08:57

You can't draw a conclusion like that based on what someone shares on bloody Facebook

We've got people on here calling this a 'political issue' and saying 'I don't want to get involved'. No you don't have to post on Facebook, but this complacency is why things like this still happen

Black peoples have been calling out racism in America for 400y and it's hardly changed. White people need to hold each other accountable and do something.

ITonyah · 01/06/2020 08:58

My dd was excitedly talking to me about SpaceX this morning. I told her she was racist and unfeeling for not discussing George Floyd instead.

Is that what you expect OP?

Original poster
focuspuller · 01/06/2020 08:59

A little over 12 hours later and the poll has steadily run at 86% YABU 14% YANBU

Similar numbers to this:
www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/national-and-regional-populations/population-of-england-and-wales/latest#by-ethnicity

OP posts:
Fluffybutter · 01/06/2020 09:02

What do you want them to write on their social media ?
Maybe write them a list of topics you wish them to post about in the future should they occur ..
Ffs

curtainsforme · 01/06/2020 09:03

You can't draw a conclusion like that based on what someone shares on bloody Facebook

We've got people on here calling this a 'political issue' and saying 'I don't want to get involved'. No you don't have to post on Facebook, but this complacency is why things like this still happen

I'm not being complacent. I'm saying you can't draw such conclusions from what people post on Facebook, because you can't.

TheFencePainter · 01/06/2020 09:16

We've got people on here calling this a 'political issue' and saying 'I don't want to get involved'. No you don't have to post on Facebook, but this complacency is why things like this still happen

This thread is though about postings on facebook. That's what people are talking about. It is in the end a discussion about politics. That is supported by the fact that people are being encouraged to go vote so all this isn't wasted.
People don't want to get involved on their SM and they shouldn't have to.

Some people here can't understand distinction between ignoring something completely and just not posting about it on your facebook.

White people need to hold each other accountable and do something.
Let me rephrase that for you, because trust me that it's NOT only white people who can be racist
People need to hold each other accountable and do something.
Also. Again. That can be done without posting on my private FB can it...

Adrianneannanne · 01/06/2020 09:25

Let me rephrase that for you, because trust me that it's NOT only white people who can be racist

Really? You don't say. I have black and white people in my family, and I definitely know racist black people. I call them out too. But is it whites people being disproportionately killed and even deliberately targeted public institutions? No it's not. * Also. Again. That can be done without posting on my private FB can it...*

you don't have to put anything on Facebook but you can still support in other ways

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