klaria’s blog

social media shows no one – regardless of age – is safe from bigotry

Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union have always been supportive of everything their children have done – as good parents should – and that support hasn’t stopped yet. Yesterday, in an interview with Ellen, Dwayne Wade announced that his daughter Zaya is transgender, and she would like to be referred to as Zaya and use she/her pronouns. In a beautiful display of acceptance and love, millions flocked to Twitter and other social media platforms to congratulate and welcome Zaya; some even sent Gabrielle and Dwayne links and information that would assist them and make Zaya’s transition much smoother.
For most, the introduction of Wade’s new daughter was met with warm, loving acceptance. For others, it was a source of contention. For every tweet celebrating Zaya for her bravery, there were even more transphobic comments belittling her, a child, and Gabrielle and Dwayne for their “bad parenting skills.”
Yesterday goes to show just how much empathy and love this world lacks. It was a very disappointing, but not shocking, action; in this current age of intolerance and hatred, using your platform for hate isn’t surprising. Attacking anyone, not to mention a child, for their personal beliefs or decisions is insensitive and immature. As a parent, your task is to love and support your child unconditionally. Gabrielle and Dwayne have always done so and will continue to for as long as they’re on this Earth. And that is what makes them excellent parents, above all the hatred and bigotry they were shown yesterday.

to see the Ellen/Dwayne Wade interview: https://youtu.be/AG9-Q6UabfQ

to read more about the story: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/11/entertainment/dwyane-wade-ellen/index.html

how the digital age has changed impeachment

For the past month or so, the impeachment hearings have dominated the new scape, making impeachment the hot button topic of the year succeeding the first wave of impeachment that occurred in December. 

Millions everywhere have tuned into the live-broadcasted trial as they formed – and voiced – their opinions on social media platforms. 

The not-so-shocking conclusion to the trials yesterday – acquittal and a ‘not guilty’ verdict on both charges – came as a shock to some, and a wake-up call to others.

This trial is not the first – nor the last – this country will ever face. However, it is differently solely because of the age it is occurring in. 

Gone are the days of hushed water cooler talk where individuals discussed, no, now everyone has a platform to spew any, and all, of their opinions. The internet has made it so that readers don’t have to wait for daily papers to update them so they can discuss it over their morning coffee. The entire impeachment process was live-streamed daily, and users could tweet or hashtag as soon as new information came out. 

We have seen the effects of social media and controversy before with movements such as #MeToo and the climate crisis. Since December, millions of people have agreed, disagreed, fought, etc. about the impeachment inquiry. Accessibility and coverage are what make this different than any other impeachment trial we have seen thus far – and will undoubtedly change the scene of any future impeachment trials.

for more information regarding impeachment, click below:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/politics/impeachment-questions-answered/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/05/politics/impeachment-watch-february-5/index.html