One of the things that I have found particularly difficult has been talking to people I know who tend to go negative on Facebook. I have had some mixed results ranging from people thanking me, to people telling me not to take their comments too literally, to people who only seem to get more aggressive and heated. The results also seem to relate to how well I know my “Friend”; are they someone who I used to work with, an old friend from high school, or a family member. At first, I reached out to these people similarly as I reached out to complete strangers; however, I think I have learned a little about the limitations of this approach in the process.
- Remember that when someone posts something, they might not agree with everything the article or meme (or other type of post) claims. It is very important that you tread lightly here and make sure that your comments are directed at the post and not at the individual.
- If you are dealing with a family member, try to diffuse the situation in as many ways as possible. Depending on how passionately this individual feels about a particular subject will determine the efficacy of the interaction. However, the MOST important thing is to remain emotionally neutral and detached. The idea is to meet people where they are and proceed from there; family is important and you want to make sure that you are not creating more division in the political landscape.
Creating A Nation United 