Are we living in a time period of over-reaction?

[nala]

Another thread got me thinking—do you feel that we are living in a decade of over-reaction? As in—did we over react to the “me too” movement? To Covid? To the current anti racist movement? Or do you think this new environment of over-reacting is long overdue? I threw in Covid with the other 2 social issues bc of all of the social implications Covid implies—masks, quarantine, protecting the vulnerable, jeopardizing the essentials, etc. so I know this isn’t an easy answer. Feel free to respond to any or all. Have we created an environment that encourages empathy above all else Or are we finally woke (enlightened)? What is your idea of over- reacting? Should we be filming ever racist incident and posting it publicly? Should celebrities be fired for their racist tweets or actions in the past?
Do you click on these videos and if so, how do they make you react?

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[OoohShiny]

Interesting thread, thank you for posting it

I think I would pose the related question of whether social media has encouraged true empathy and societal change, or whether loud and seemingly impassioned 'virtue signalling' towards the apparent majority opinion is more prevalent.

It is easy to be 'outraged' from the comfort of one's sofa, and the human need for 'likes' is well known, but how many people take things further than that?

 

[Karl_K]

nothing has really changed other than people who need something to be upset and freaked out about can find it easier. Those that can benifit from it pour gas on the fire.

 

[missy]

Yes but I think this is no something new per se. Just changing the issue but over reaction seems to be more than norm than not over longer than just this decade.

I cannot click onto the video as I am in the home office where my DH is working but will click it later.

I do not feel we are over reacting to Covid 19.
I do not feel we are over reacting to police brutality or the murder of George Floyd and the murder of the black people before him.
We have no choice but to react this way to bring change for the better. It's the way to accomplish positive change. IMO.

Actions speak louder than words. We have to take action for real change.

 

[monarch64]

If you're talking about Karens overreacting to People Being Black, yes.

 

[missy]

I posted this the other day.

 

[House Cat]

Some people have been acting like animals for too long. It’s time they learn.

 

[Queenie60]

Armed people taking over several blocks in Seattle, this is certainly an overreaction and something needs to be done. They're terrorizing law abiding citizens.

 

[lyra]

No, I think we are in a stage of reacting and consequences to actions. Women and minorities can benefit from the reacting part. So I think it's appropriate that actions are being taken. I do agree that not everyone is on the up and up. There are definitely organizations fuelling fires instead of promoting solutions, certainly. But at the core are real issues that need addressing.

 

[echomomm]

Is it an "overreaction" to be outraged that sexism, racism and xenophobia still exist? If we think it is okay for black people to be killed over $20 on the street and for women to be groped at the whim of their male coworkers, I think there is something wrong with us. Perhaps we should have been outraged long ago and these sorts of things wouldn't still be happening.

 

[yssie]

@nala I admire you for asking the question and I hope responses remain civil and refrain from conflating your inquiry with your feelings, whatever they may be.

 

[nala]

@nala I admire you for asking the question and I hope responses remain civil and refrain from conflating your inquiry with your feelings, whatever they may be.

Thank you! If others have been reading the other thread, they will realize what compelled me to start this thread.

 

[doberman]

I dont think we've been overreacting in general where the BLM movement is concerned. it's been an issue for decades (centuries!) and it's finally being addressed. No also to COVID-19, I think we reacted too late, so maybe that counts as an under reaction.

But the metoo movement? That one is seeing some overreaction in my opinion, and in fact one of the starters of the movement has been accused of discrimination herself on the basis of sex.

 

[yssie]

Thank you! If others have been reading the other thread, they will realize what compelled me to start this thread.

I'm not sure which thread - I haven't been following Hangout terribly closely the past couple of days. Regardless, though, I really do admire you for caring to ask this extremely emotionally taxing question.

 

[Dee*Jay]

OVERreacting to me means acting in a way that is MORE than what is necessary. I think people are now ACTING. That -- to me -- means behaving to the degree necessary to effect change.

I have an easier time putting my above statement in context for Me Too and BLM because those are things that we have control over. Covid... ? I can't apply that control concept as easily to the virus, although I do understand the question in terms of our "reaction" to the virus. But covid for me is still different than the other two.

BTW, I did not click on the video because I'm here with two kids, 13 and 10, and don't know if what's on it is appropriate for them to hear.

 

[Arcadian]

This message is all over the place, but I have a lot of thoughts.


Yes, I did in fact say that the school overreacted to the professors email. The professor should run a fair grading system. Was he an ass for what he said? Sure. But I think the firing went too far.

Thats an over reaction to the current climate. He was accused of being racist. I didn't see that, I saw a smart ass.

I really don't care what color you are, if you an an adult cannot perform, then you shouldn't get the grade, you shouldn't get the raise, you shouldn't expect things on a platter. If you didn't work for the grade, do you deserve it? No.

In certain things during this time of upheaval, I do see things that are going into overreaction and can have a boomerang effect that can be particularly nasty.

For instance, while I agree that black lives matter (I'm black after all, they should matter indeed) I see other things that are perpetuating that which veer into overreaction. Here's what blacks in general want: Equal opportunities in work, housing, real equal opportunities at jobs. But we need to also need to be proactive. Get involved with community, with government. I say we because I'm talking about the black community as a whole.

Less unnecessary police force on blacks. But of course. No one should be killed, followed, or harassed because of their skin tone, no matter what that tone is. Police brutality is out of hand across the board. And thats even with there being great people who are cops. (not every cop is a bad one, the unfortunate fact is that too many bad ones get to stick around) I put that blame on the police unions for that.

I say these things the way I do because while I want to see more community and elected government involvement from my community, I still want the RIGHT people in there. In other words, don't put somebody in there because they're the right color. Put people in because they have a brain, they have the compassion, they're fair minded and civic minded. Put people in who don't mistreat others, or corrupt the power they hold.

Lets go on to #MeToo


As a woman I've been sexually assaulted more than once. I don't talk about it I've made my peace with it, lost a job because of it. I do believe women deserve better treatment. My issue with metoo was that there was a "believe the women no matter what" until it came to Joe Biden. But I guess its believe them to a point now.

Joe Biden, Brett Kavanaugh and the #MeToo hypocrites

Hand it to the New York Times to take up the question of Tara Reade’s sexual-abuse accusations against Joe Biden … on Easter weekend, with its reduced holiday readership, in an article that d…

nypost.com

Tara Reade’s Joe Biden accusation dings Me Too movement, not campaign

Tara Reade’s unproven sexual-assault allegation against former Vice President Joseph R. Biden may do nothing to dent his 2020 presidential run, but the damage to the #MeToo movement has already been done.

www.washingtontimes.com

And there's other issues with metoo because they go whole hog until its one of their own and its freaking crickets. MeeToo should not be partisan folks.

Lastly, covid-19 and the protests.

I think we can all agree that Covid-19 is nasty and those with pre existing conditions need to take more care.

This goes 2 fold though, the poor and even working class who have little access to healthcare, because will tell you that healthcare in this country is too expensive, insurance is too expensive especially for what you get.

Listen, we as a people in the United states have the right to peaceful protests, even during a pandemic. And we've had them not only because of the shut down because of Covid but also protesting police brutality.

The protests over the shutdown were a direct over reaction to the shut downs in several cities. The carrying of weapons openly, very much an over reaction. I'm a gun owner and that was stupidity. every one of those idiots should have went to jail.

The protests against police brutality is a powder keg thats been brewing for a very long time. Add in the additional covid stuff, which added a whole level of stress level on its own, plus the stupidity and willful ignorance at the highest levels of our government, and it was go time.

There's so much anger for those that have suffered at the hands of the police for too long, there's anger for those of us who have suffered because of what we look like.

I'm for peaceful protests and even when they're not necessarily peaceful, but the looting? No, not at all. That goes way too far and destroys neighborhoods and small businesses, and even lives.

Lots of these businesses will not be able to come back to the same areas if they come back at all. Looting is unnecessary and an overreaction to the current situation and hurts those who live in these neighborhoods, which are predominantly POC.

Before this there was talk about the food deserts and how POC, mainly older generations, can't get the things they need in their own neighborhoods so they don't get them at all

Theres going to be hella more now if the stores are getting looted and burned to the ground! When those stores and pharmacies and services that the community depends on leaves, they take a hell of a lot of jobs with them they leave a big giant hole in the community. Larger stores once they leave tend to move further out to areas that are mostly predominatly white where they may not be enough public transportation to reach the store for employees versus when they lived in the urban core.

I get sick of people saying insurance will pay for it, but no it won't pay for everything. And if the insurance goes up, so does the cost of goods in that store (no one really think s that the business will just eat that right?) Looting also leads to distrust. and again, think who gets the majority of it anyway?

So with that, I'm done. I've had a lot on my mind. I still do but this is probably not the place to air it all.

 

[nala]

Interesting thread, thank you for posting it

I think I would pose the related question of whether social media has encouraged true empathy and societal change, or whether loud and seemingly impassioned 'virtue signalling' towards the apparent majority opinion is more prevalent.

It is easy to be 'outraged' from the comfort of one's sofa, and the human need for 'likes' is well known, but how many people take things further than that?

Some organizations are doing more than lip service. They are firing executives, celebrities and investing in social justice programs. I haven’t been keeping up with politics, but I’m sure there has been some movement there. Some people are donating to causes they never had before, volunteering their time, calling racism out in the work place, etc. so I don’t think it’s as simple as dismissing this environment to the effect of social media. Real change is happening.

 

[nala]

nothing has really changed other than people who need something to be upset and freaked out about can find it easier. Those that can benifit from it pour gas on the fire.

What aspect do you think reflects no change?

 

[nala]

If you're talking about Karens overreacting to People Being Black, yes.

I wasn’t specifically referring to that, although I know you are joking and I want to just respond by saying lol. But I have to wonder if I can laugh at the stereotype of “karen” while I reflect on anti-racism bc that would make me a racist.

 

[Karl_K]

What aspect do you think reflects no change?

It is all history repeating itself and we did not learn the lessons from the past.

 

[Karl_K]

If you're talking about Karens overreacting to People Being Black, yes.

That's sad, sweetheart Karen's getting lumped in with some of the worst of humanity just because they have the same name.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

excuse my dumbness today but remind me who Karen is please

 

[missy]

excuse my dumbness today but remind me who Karen is please

@Daisys and Diamonds you’re not dumb. The use of the name is an unfavorable one. I feel bad for all the Karens out there.

Karen (slang) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

“Karen is a term for a person perceived to be entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is considered appropriate or necessary. A common stereotype is that of an American middle-aged white woman who displays aggressive behavior when prevented from getting her way; such women are often depicted as demanding to "speak to the manager", and of having a particular bob cuthairstyle”

 

[Arcadian]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1270941712320352258

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/11/trump-seattle-autonomous-zone-inslee/

This is whats happening in Washington state.

A group with guns takes over 6 blocks including a police station. And the state government is doing nothing about it.

interesting.

 

[the_mother_thing]

@Arcadian I want to thank you for your post further up. I always enjoy reading your perspective & thoughts, and just wanted you to know.


As for the thread question: Yes, I see significant overreaction, as well as irrational, disrespectful & lawless behavior. What’s happening in Seattle is beyond reprehensible.

@Karl_K (and Santayana) is correct; I’m stocking up on popcorn.

 

[OreoRosies86]

Trump’s entire Twitter is an overreaction to everything, ever.

Is BLM, #metoo, COVID-19 reaction over the top, nope I don’t think so at all.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@Daisys and Diamonds you’re not dumb. The use of the name is an unfavorable one. I feel bad for all the Karens out there.

Karen (slang) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

“Karen is a term for a person perceived to be entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is considered appropriate or necessary. A common stereotype is that of an American middle-aged white woman who displays aggressive behavior when prevented from getting her way; such women are often depicted as demanding to "speak to the manager", and of having a particular bob cuthairstyle”

thanks for that dear missy
i know the type .... although none called Karen
hugs to all the Karen's out there

 

[autumngems]

YESSS, So many Karen's out there.

 

[missy]

Now some programming is being removed.

 

[DAF]

[/QUOTE]

Therefore, history is bound to repeat itself.