Look What a Good Person I Am!

Yesterday I read this article and posted a link to it on my Facebook page. I posted it because the words virtue signaling were new to me and I was thinking that the concept explained a lot of what I've seen recently.

Virtue signaling, according to an on-line dictionary is "the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue." It seems it is a way to get credit for being a good person without having to actually do anything good.

Earlier today I posted a link to this blog post on my Facebook page. I posted it because the writer had articulated so well the jumble of thoughts that have swirled around in my head for so many weeks. At least that is the reason I believe I had for the posting. Who knows what my subconscious is up to?

Now I'm thinking about having posted the link to the piece about Mr. Trump's character was virtue sharing on my part. Facebook is a place to share abridged or redacted versions of ourselves; that is, we tend to share pieces of ourselves that we want people to know about, pieces that show us in a good light. 

There's another piece to it, though. I think that I -- and many of my Facebook friends -- post things that might be interpreted as virtue sharing for a different reason. For me, it's because I often feel helpless, powerless in the face of this President; I get to a point where I think, "I have to do something!" and so I rail a bit on Facebook because I think that is all I can do. But the Facebook mini-rant doesn't accomplish anything, really.

It's a conundrum.

Like so many people I know, I am angry, sad, frustrated, and a good many other things by what is going on in our country and by the words and actions of its leadership. But it isn't enough to just talk about it.  I need to find other ways to express my convictions. Ways of actions rather than words. 






Comments

Quiltdivajulie said…
Like many of us commented early on after the election, I am demonstrating my convictions through small every day actions - opening doors for strangers, smiling first, waving to neighbors as they drive by (even if I still don't know their names), speaking up in a group conversation that threatens to descend into Washington-like language to re-direct the tone if at all possible, and through tangible actions like your blog post months ago when you shared an extra umbrella with a woman in need. Keep being who you are and doing what YOU do - THAT kind of behavior and attitude/ethic is what makes America great.
I tend not to tell anyone of my good deeds (usually very small) because I'm not doing it for the attention, but on Facebook, I do tend to share memes and posts that are for or against a particular thing. I can see how that might be virtue signaling, but I think it might be helpful. If a person's Facebook page is filled with anti-extremism or anti-xenophobia, etc. posts, then maybe a person might be able to see that their own view is in the minority. I can hope anyway. Chances are, though, they tend to have friends who think like them.
Janet O. said…
Not being on Facebook, I am oblivious to all that goes on there. Just trying to do what I believe is right within my circle of influence, and wherever I happen to find myself, whether with friends or total strangers.
Interesting article. I suppose everyone toots their own horn to some extent. The real issue of course is why and if they support their voice with real action. I will continue to do what I can to elect democrat candidates in future elections...a difficult task in Northern Indiana. We are the MOST conservative state in the Union...really we are. I am appalled at the direction our Nation is taking. Even more so to know how strongly even my husband's family supports Trump and EVERYTHING he is. So many Christians here that leave it at the Church door.
xx, Carol
Barbara Anne said…
I'm not on FB either but hope to follow sweet AMIL's example - and yours - of spreading lovingkindness wherever possible in my small circle of life, including on the phone with strangers and in the grocery store and such.

As my Grandma used to say, "Don't be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good." Amen to that!

Hugs!