How to Prevent Online Character Assassinations
This is a comment that I left on the Deadly Viper post “Toward Reconciliation”
(Some context…I stayed out of the comments and tweets intentionally. I shared posts from all parties through my Twitter stream. I also shared updates from all parties. I asked others to do the same. I am a volunteer for Deadly Viper Blog. I was given no instruction, nor did I ask for any. My job is to function as an online community manager. This often means that you have to keep dancing even when the music stops. The online community management piece and managing volunteers is fun, but often difficult without precedent. The outcome is that I want to have more conversations about how to develop some precedent for the future. I’m not sure what looks like just yet. I’ve got some decisions to make about my own projects such as Commenting Ninja, who’s goal was to develop a forum for this type of conversation, but I want to make sure that it doesn’t offend. I will be seeking some counsel from some friends on that issue. )
Here is my comment from the Deadly Viper post:
“I have been moved by this process. In watching and observing blog posts,comments, tweets, etc I found myself wondering how it would work itself out. My wife and I have had several conversations about it. Mike and Jud-you did the right thing. It is difficult to know what to do. Fortunately, you have a lot of friends who support you and know your heart. It was also encouraging for me to see others come alongside you, even when they were offended.
It is our differences and giftedness that make us unique in the body of Christ. Each one contributes to a part.
I have a deep respect for the leadership and voices of the Asian American community. Many have been gracious and forthright in their conversations. (Although there have been those overall in the online spectrum that might have looked at this as an opportunity for blog content.)I was grateful that this blog became a forum for discussion. With over 100+comments(119 as of this posting) on the “I’m Sorry” post, I was certain that something was stirring the hearts. In years passed, this discussion would not have occurred…sadly, it would have been missed. There are some of us who are called to oversee the process online and make sure that updates were inserted with the intent that understanding could be found. That is the beauty of social media.”
