Dear Hearts and Gentle People,
It has come to my attention that a rumor has a significant amount of attention. The story is that on Saturday night, February 6, 2016, groups of men will get together and hold rallies at which they will rape women.
This rumor grew out of a rumor that on Saturday a group called Kings of Men would hold pro-rape rallies.
This rumor grew out of the real story--that a men's rights organization scheduled "tribal meetings" for Saturday. Those tribal meetings have been canceled out of fears regarding safety.
Last night, my son and I talked about the rumors we see and hear so frequently. He said he learned that when you see something strange, you should ask yourself, Does it seem like a lie? He also said that we need to use our critical thinking skills.
I rely on snopes.com for information about stories that don't seem realistic to me. When I read that Planned Parenthood sold parts from aborted fetuses to be used in women's cosmetics, I felt certain it was a lie. I went to snopes to learn the truth. Now, Planned Parenthood has a law suit pending against the groups that told those lies about them.
When you see such a story, instead of getting upset, ask yourself, Does this seem like a lie, or the truth? If you think any chance exists that the story is a lie, then investigate it. If you think any chance exists that the story is true, then investigate it. Issue warnings about true threats. Dismiss lies and spread the word that they aren't true.
If you believed the "rape rallies" would take place, then please don't think I belittle you. I've believed many rumors during my life. I'm a little older and wiser now, and I have snopes.
On the other hand, if you think the crimes perpetrated by Bill Cosby are not true, then you need to investigate to learn that this man is a serial rapist who got away with his crimes for years. I was not surprised when I heard about the charges on the news. Rumors about him had been around for many years, and I found no evidence that the rumors were lies. The man himself--America's ideal dad-- admitted to extra-marital affairs and "possible" illegitimate children. There's a reason he was deposed quite some time ago.
Think about it. Investigate it. If you still think Bill Cosby isn't a rapist, then report the evidence.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
My motto as an editor: Authors are the authority on their work. I'm a full-service editor. For a reasonable fee, I'm your writing coach from the first suggested revision to the correction of the final typo.
There are so many weird stories floating around that it's often hard knowing what to believe. Critical thinking is a good way to go.
ReplyDeleteI don't have enough energy to spend it getting upset about rumors.
DeleteRumours are horrible and so is Bill Cosby. There was always something about him that made me feel uneasy and I never trusted him. I wonder why his wife stayed by him
ReplyDeleteAccording to some accounts, his wife enabled him. She had to know what was going on.
DeleteGreat advice, Janie. They reported this group on the news on Tuesday night for Austin, and I ignored it. I'll have to now check to see what really happened.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those organizations to promote the rights of men. They use violent language, so I understand why they frighten people. But they still say they've canceled their meetings for Saturday.
DeleteThis is so dumb. Some people have way to much time.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
It's similar to gossip. Some people also enjoy being frightened.
DeleteI am in complete agreement with you on this on. it's funny how people will spread lies just because their friend has spread the lie. I'm talking about social media. One of my friends recently was so disgusted because KFC no longer uses real chickens, instead they grow chickens in vats with no beaks or feet, just living tissue. Of course the first thing I did was go to snopes to learn how ridiculous this was. Even beyond snopes, I'll read several other reputable sources to confirm.
ReplyDeleteSame thing with Bill Cosby. In my younger days, I was a big fan of his. When I started to hear these rumours, I was disgusted. I can no longer listen to his comedy.
As my son says, ask yourself if some information seems like a lie. Why would any thinking person believe that Planned Parenthood sold parts of aborted fetuses to make cosmetics? It wasn't difficult to confirm what I already knew about Planned Parenthood. The accusations against Bill Cosby did not seem like a lie. He admitted he did it. While his show was at the height of its popularity, he admitted to extra-marital affairs and possible illegitimate children. Many women have come forward to tell the truth, in spite of their fears. I admire these women, some of whom were very young when he raped them.
Delete