There’s a new type of avoidance in town and it’s called “Blocking”. As someone who has three decades of advanced avoidance behavior, this one was new to me. Last night I had the pleasure of experiencing something that had never happened to me before. I was having a conversation with a woman, who based on the information provided on her Facebook profile, is white, self-employed, early 50’s, conservative and born-again Christian. I had gained access to her post through a recent “friend” I met in the process of working on this project. He has a very different political perspective than my own and, in my opinion, is slightly verging on borderline offensive and irresponsible dissemination of misinformation, but he has made an effort to engage with me in a respectful manner and I appreciate will willingness. He shared a post by Silleman. What immediately caught my eye about this post was its portrayal of President Obama.
The entire conversation at the bottom of this post because up until the very end I thought we were actually starting (maybe) to get somewhere; however, for some reason I was unable to copy the photo so I want to make sure to paint a vivid description OR you could go to Silleman’s page and look for yourself and keep Creating A Nation United! Silleman used the final image in Snoop Dog’s video “Lavender” in which Snoop shoots a clown version of President Donald Trump. In Silleman ‘s version, she photo-shopped a picture of Kid Rock onto Snoop and a picture of President Obama dressed as a clown. I tried looking through Google and Facebook but the image can only be found exclusively on her page.
So, I stepped away from the conversation to start preparing dinner and when I came back the conversation had been removed. When I searched for Silleman, nothing came up. It was like the whole conversation and the person who prompted it had disappeared into thin air. The other individuals who had participated in the conversation still existed but otherwise there weren’t even leftover breadcrumbs of a trail to follow.
This has never happened to me before. Apparently I have been “blocked” even though an hour beforehand she had accepted my friend request. I actually had to sign into another person’s account just so I could access the conversation. So please read it and reach your own opinion of why this happened and I would very much be interested to hear it. From my perspective, I respectfully took a stance that all individuals are responsible for their own behavior and Silleman either didn’t want to take responsibility because she had been backed into a corner or because she realized that I was not going to insult or attack her and therefore could not be used as an example of another uninformed bias liberal; I was not willing to become another stereotype to help further her “cause”.
Unfortunately, I am unable to see her posts anymore but I do think it is unfortunate that some people seem to work toward creating divisions even when encountered with an opportunity to work towards healing and uniting. I no longer am able to continue this conversation so she is now able to control my participation only by cutting out my voice. It’s her right to do so but I hope that more people will begin to have these types of conversations and maybe we can start moving forward as a united country.
P.T. Silleman
Well let’s see so far folks have called me a Nazi and a racist for making this little cartoon, yet they called Snoop Dogg an artist for his original version. This is the kind of crap that has made liberals inconsequential and irrelevant
N.P: Double standard for them….always.
Meg Phillips Hi Silleman. I don’t know you and do not want to call you names or insult you for your perspective or beliefs. I think for some reason people have started believing that two wrongs make a right when really both are wrong. Insulting someone after they have insulted you has become common place. Why anyone would make a cartoon about killing a living president of the United States, current or otherwise, I don’t understand. I do not see the appeal or any positive cultural impact; moreover I find it extremely disrespectful. Why would you create this? #CreatingaNationUnited #CanU
Silleman: Thanks for noticing Meg
I trust you reached out to Snoop Dogg when he made this hateful music video, protraying the assassination of Donald Trump?
Because if not I would call you out as a big hypocrite
President Trump noted that he wondered what the critics would say if it was in fact Obama being shot in the video, hence the cartoon, perhaps you were not aware of the presidents statement?
I know sometimes it’s hard to keep up these days.
Meg Phillips Hi Silleman. I did not reach out to Snoop, I didn’t even know what you were referring to at first. I think race and class are two really important factors in America today. However, a hypocrite is someone feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements (as taken from dictionary.com) and I don’t think that denotes my behavior. I’m not aware of the President’s statement but I am still wonder why you would create this? I think it is okay to disagree with the government but only in a way that respect the position that they hold. I really appreciate your response but do two wrongs make a right? #CreatingaNationUnited #CanU
Silleman: Awesome so now that you know what you’re talking about it does make more sense
Silleman: Meg since Snoop Dogg’s portrayal of the Trump assassination bothers you I suggest you take it up with him
J.P. She still doesn’t get it. Snoop dogg assinates Trump in video. People say there would be great outcry if conservative entertainer assinates Obama in video. Silleman posts photo shopped dogg still photo illustrating same. Meg is confused as to why Silleman would post to illustrate point. Sheesh.
Silleman: And ‘I AM THE BAD GUY’ because some folks are afraid to actually confront the real bad guy
J. Pilgrim: Go figure. There are no limits to what the left can depict visually or state in writing, but your post must be sending people to their safe spaces. You are just a triggerer.
Silleman: 🙀🙀🙀😹😹😹😹
Meg Phillips So Silleman: the following is what I posted on Snoop Dog’s website: Dear Snoop Dog. I do not want to insult or disrespect you for your opinions, beliefs, or perspective. I went to the Women’s March on Washington and it fundamentally changed my perspective in how to engage with people in political discussions in our current climate. In your video “Lavender” there is a moment where you symbolically shoot President Trump. I understand the multifaceted meaning behind this video but I believe that scene to be unnecessarily divisive in a society already divided by a deepening political chasm. I recently responded to a woman who posted a video of President Obama being shot by Toby Keith. It was pretty upsetting (to put it mildly). Over the past few months I have seen very intelligent people, who believe in benefiting society, say equally offensive things as what we heard over the last 8 years. I am trying to demonstrate that two wrongs do not make anything “right”. This woman who posted the video, said that I should take it up with you and, even though she took no responsibility for her own offensive participation, I thought she made a pretty good point. I remember almost getting in a fight with someone standing in front of President Obama wearing a “Hitler mustache”; not only was it an alarming portrayal of fear motivated propaganda, but it seemed so disrespectful and offensive. You are a brilliant artist, poet, producer, and have so much to say that has helped to progress our society forward in the past several decades. Whenever I start to feel like it is hopeless and conversation impossible, I remember President Obama’s words that “We are not as divided as our politics suggest”. That has become my mantra for engaging with people who have views that are different than my own. My question to you: will two wrongs ever make a right?
Meg Phillips I have taken it up with him. I think you made a really good point. I do not think you are a “bad guy”. As I said, I do not know you at all.
Silleman: Oh I can’t wait to see if he replies to you😴😴😴
Meg Phillips I am not sure if you are being disrespectful or serious. I’m sorry that I labeled the wrong celebrity but that doesn’t really get to the point that we are discussing. If I hear back from him, I will let you know what he says.
Silleman: Oh boy I can’t wait. Snoop Dogg was staying on the same floor as we were your before last at the grand opening of the 49ers season and it was hysterical at the amount of dope they smoked it was just literally a cloud on their entire hotel floor🤢🤢🤢🤢
J.P.: Did you really say he has helped progress our society forward? I think you are having us on.
Meg Phillips Hi J.P.. Yes, I think he’s talented. I think he has given voice to many people and I don’t want to insult him in conversation. Please do not misconstrue my intentions. I am working to create conversations between people who think differently from one another. I want to learn about perspective because we all love America and are very fortunate to have lucked out in our birth place. I think everyone’s opinion matters so why can’t we have an open conversation about it? #CreatingaNationUnited #CanU
Meg Phillips J.P.do you think in this already emotionally volatile culture that we need more “triggers”? Why it is not okay for one side but another side is justified in their behavior?
Meg Phillips J.P. In response to your previous comment about my confusion as to Silleman‘s post trying to prove a point. I am not confused about the point being made. It seems to be the other side of the exact same coin. My question was about how posting something offensive negates the offensiveness of others. For many years it seems the internet has become a shroud that permits disrespectful behavior. If adults want to set a standard for children to respect other people, should we not behave in the same standard that we want to set? This is more about questioning personal responsibility for the messages and information that we all put out into the world. Silleman, if you feel like I insulted you or disrespected you in anyway, I apologize. #CreatingaNationnited #CanU
M.B.: I just did a quick vetting of Meg. Following Michael Moore?
Several left pages.
Meg Phillips Hi M.B. does it matter who I follow. I have met so many intelligent and respectful people working on Creating A Nation United. People from all backgrounds who follow people who I don’t necessarily agree with. Does that mean that conversation is impossible. I think everyone’s opinion matters. However, I do not think that it is okay to disrespect any President in terms of hinting at assassination. Why is that okay?
Silleman: It’s not OK Meg
it’s horrible and the fact you did not know that Snoop Dogg had done it originally proves that you get your information from very limited and censored sources
But at least we have you now so maybe you’ll learn something
Meg Phillips I love learning. I really do! That’s why I started this project. We seem to be living in a society where apology is a sign of weakness when really I believe admitting you are wrong and apologizing for it is a sign of strength. Do you think that two wrongs make a right? #CreatingaNationUnited #CanU
Meg Phillips Silleman I think everyone gets their information from very limited sources, sometimes including myself. Recently I’ve been looking into primary sources and Snoop Dog is honestly not on my register, clearly. Where do you get your news sources from and how do you fact check them?
Silleman: Obviously meg my resources are far more varied that are yours
These days you truly have to reach out to all sources because if you limit yourself to one or two you simply will not be aware of what is going on in the world around you as you have proven here
M.B.: Michael Moore is a poor resource!
Hates the rich but owns a huge home on a river in MI.
Against guns but has armed body guards. I could go on….
Meg Phillips M.B. hi. I agree with you that he is a poor resource. He provides a very particular perspective which contains a small amount of truth that he then sells as fact. But I think you have made some assumptions about me because of this that I believe are misguided. You are certainly entitled to your opinions based on what you saw in my profile but why not actually ask me what I think as opposed to assuming it?
#CreatingaNationUnited #CanU
Silleman: Meg that’s kid rock not Toby Keith
J.P.: Well, Meg, be a strong woman and apologize for eight years of Obama.
Meg Phillips Hi J.P.. Why would I apologize for President Obama’s terms in office? I don’t believe I need to apologize for President Obama any more than I would apologize for President Trump or President Clinton or President George W. Bush. If I have offended you personally or someone whom you are friends with than I would certainly apologize for that. I can apologize for my behavior but in terms of our limited interaction, what do you feel I need to apologize for? I don’t know you at all. You are a stranger to me. But if you would be interested in engaging in a mutual learning opportunity around politics I would certainly be interested. I am sorry if I offended you. #CreatingaNationUnited #CanU
Silleman: J.P.. Perhaps we could suggest some reading material for Meg to research
What do you think?
Meg Phillips I am not sure why you take such a defensive tone and I’m sorry if I put you in a defensive mode. I look at everyone from Infowars to CNN to FoxNews to Politifact to WashingtonWatch. However, my initial question to you had to do with personal ownership of information that you have placed on the internet. I have looked into Snoop and commented on his page but this is feeling like a one-sided learning opportunity. What do you think?
J.P.: I think you are about the coolest commenter I have encountered in a long time. I like your style. I can just hear the zipper on that sheep suit.
M.B.: Snoops picture has been on almost if not every group you said you follow…and you hadn’t seen it?
Google it and look at all the places it’s shown up on.
Meg Phillips M.B. i never said I follow them but rather that I look into them because they are a news source that people often refer to. I don’t follow very many things but I am interested in a variety of sources. I spend most of my time on government websites. I don’t listen to Snoop Dog and I am not a cultural expert. I did google it and I watched the whole video and then responded to him via Facebook. I thought Silleman made a really good point when she directed me there and so I followed through with her suggestion.
Meg Phillips J.P. I’m confused about whether or not to laugh to smile at your comment. Are you suggesting that I am a wolf in sheep’s clothing? I’m sorry if your previous experiences have led you to be so suspicious of other people who might have a different political perspective than your own. My whole point was that people throw around insults like they have no meaning and that is not what I am interested in doing. Although I can only guess at the origins of your cynicism, I guarantee that I am neither sheep nor wolf, but a fallible human being just like you.
Creating A Nation United 