
Sometimes, you need to take a break from social media to keep your sanity. You’ll be shocked how despicable fellow humans can be when they have access to a smartphone and the internet.
I know you are trying to make sense of the image above so I’ll give context to it.
The image is a screenshot of some kind of SOS sent by a Twitter user and the response by one of the tweeps.
I’ll break it down for you…
Two days ago, there was an attack on a train conveying folks from point A to point B, in Nigeria 🇳🇬 In that attack, lives were lost, many sustained various degrees of injuries, and some were kidnapped.
The lady, Chinelo, in the captured tweet above was one of the casualties of the attack. At the time she tweeted, she had been shot hence, her tweet
I’m in the train. I have been shot please pray for me
It was to her tweet that the other tweep, Abolore, responded
Are you dead now?
Well, it turned out that Chinelo died eventually.
I hope you catch my drift now. And you see why I began the way I did?
Did Abolore kill her? No. Could he have done better? A whole lot.
By the way, his wasn’t the only terrible response. It was just the most brutal.
But let’s play the devil’s advocate for a moment and advance reasons for why he responded the way he did…
- Perhaps the lady was trolling, as many internet users do.
- Maybe she was just raising a false alarm
- Could be a clout chaser
- Probably has an ulterior/ignoble motive for doing so
We can go on…
Truth is, no matter how hard we try to see from the commentator’s perspective, nothing will validate the weight of his comment.
He is foolish and shame-worthy who answers a matter before he hears the fact. The scripture said that – Proverbs 18: 13.
Why should you have to respond if you cannot prove the genuineness in a fellow’s utterance? What happens to examining the situation before rushing to a hurtful conclusion? But much more, why must your response be filled with bile?
When self-restraint and courtesy are added to strength, the latter becomes irresistible.
Mahatma Gandhi
It’s one thing to make a wrong judgement call and another to be insensitive. It however takes an individual with a poor sense of empathy or low degree of emotional intelligence to put out such a response.
Maybe I’m just weird, but I have deleted more drafts than I have posted. I have several perfected articles that will never be read by anyone but me. I have made to respond to numerous messages/tweets/posts but deleted my response at the last minute.
I ask myself,
- Is it worth putting out?
- Do I have to comment, respond or publish?
- What do I seek to achieve with it?
- Is it going to be of help, value, edification, or otherwise?
- Are my emotions, sentiment, and prejudice getting in the way of what I write?…
By the way, Abolore later deleted his tweet and locked his account. But what’s done is done. Maybe he’ll be regretting his reaction right now. Just maybe.
Thank God for social media! What a blessing it is: Giving voice to all, amplifying the voice, connecting people, providing a wealth of knowledge, exposure and awareness…
But for all its goodness, it has also exposed the beast in many – unfettered, uncouth, impulsive, bestial, and ill-mannered. ‘Wokeness’ is the stock-in-trade. Many are all about clout-chasing and social media engagements and validation.
Our virtual conversations and conducts are reflections of who we truly are. Meanwhile, our actions have consequences, whether offline or online.
The biblical injunction to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath still holds.
I pray for fortitude and comfort for the family of Chinelo and everyone who lost their loved ones in the attack.

May we have more people who are circumspect, kind, and humane.
There are no words. Wow.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Indeed. It leaves little or nothing to be said. Thank you for taking the time to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very sad. Humans are so cruel to one another. That’s why God’s commandment says, “ love your neighbor as you love your self” if we all followed that what a wonderful world it would be. 🙏♥️🙏
LikeLiked by 2 people
True, that commitment, when obeyed, helps shape our words and actions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness! The inhumanity of man to man is unbelievable! I try to ask myself before I post: Is it necessary? Is it kind? Is it true? Prayers for the victims’ family members and loved ones.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Those questions are indeed vital. They help us put things in the right perspective and react accordingly. Thank you for the prayers. And thanks also for the profound thoughts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
People on social media can be really mean and out of line. My heartfelt prayers to those who got shot
LikeLiked by 2 people
So out of line. It’s depressing. Thank you for the prayers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eish, this was really a foolish comment.
You wonder where is morality in our generation.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A foolish one it is. Left me bemused. May we not lose our humanity for any reason.
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about Chinelo. Praying for her family and everyone who was impacted. Very true, we must be mindful of what we say on social media. Many have even committed suicide because of bullying on social media.
LikeLiked by 2 people
True. Our lights should shine every time and everywhere. Thank you for the prayers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I saw the Chinelo trend on twitter and read through it my heart bleed. I pray that her soul rest in peace.
I hope people get to adopt the principle of Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, *tweet* on these things.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your Biblical reference is so apt, Emma. It’s more than enough to guide our daily lives and conducts. Imagine how sane people’s activities and social media exchanges will be if they let this scripture guide them.
LikeLiked by 1 person