Real with Rue

This is not what Mark Zukerburg intended:

I have been active on social media ever since I was 16, in all honesty before this age I never cared for it. The sad reality now is that where I am my phone is not too far behind. I use social media everyday for different purposes, but my favourite is Twitter, despite its controversial nature. I look back at how social media was a place which was meant to connect people as an add on to our lives. But now, it’s mostly an unstable and toxic environment.

‘What Beyonce said’ Why we need celebrities validation:

Social media has allowed us to have easier access to celebrities, through a simple DM or tag in a post. This has worked for good, with people such as Kim Kardashian helping prisoners who have wrongly been imprisoned. At the same time, it has placed celebrities on an unnecessary pedestal. For example, when the ENDSARS movement started, people were calling for Beyonce to add her two pence. I understand they have power to raise awareness, plus she has frequently used Nigeria and the rest of Africa to her benefit. I have no issues with celebrities being made aware. At the same time, there is little that follows after this besides a tweet, which is washed away by their new clothing campaigns.

Furthermore, it makes a movement seem worthless without the support or backing from celebrities. I believe asking them to speak out when they are pressured too, feels awkward to me. Other times it can present to be an opportunity for a PR stunt. The biggest example is Breonna Taylor, many celebrities and brands would promote a product then write ‘Anyways, Breonna Taylor’ as if she’s an after thought.

A life of keeping up appearances

I can’t not pinpoint a specific time or event which caused this rise, but I can say its more frequent ever since I started University 4 years ago. I have seen the need in people feeling like they need to look rich and keep a lifestyle on Instagram, polar opposite to their reality. I believe this is the reason why fraud and drug dealing is proving more attractive to younger people. I don’t believe that you should never aspire to have nice things, in fact I am in university to archive qualifications so I can live a comfortable lifestyle. The issue is the intention and motive behind the purchases.

I see many people trying to prove that they are something they are not and I wonder what the validation and approval from social media will do. I can only imagine the financial and mental exhaustion of pretending to be someone you’re not.

My friend once told me, ‘ live your truth‘ because no one can use it against you. This does not mean you need to post when you have overdrawn into your bank account or can’t afford to keep up with the bills that month. But realising the balance between living a fake lifestyle and oversharing on social media, both can be a catalyst for disaster.

But did you correct your boy in real life?

The most annoying thing I see on social media, is people who give opinions in situations which in real life their tweet is not put into action. If I am to be honest, it is mainly men who do this, giving two pence when two pence is not needed. Last week, I witnessed a traumatic photo of a girl who was kidnapped and luckily someone was able to intervene. I saw the positive side of social media, by people seeking justice (and revenge).

However, I also saw people talk about how wrong it is that this happens to young girls and even how this experience will effect her for life. My issue is when you are with your friend who touches girls when they are drunk or pushing females to have sex with them in real life, your name is now Stevie wonder? My older family member once told me that people will often make promises or say things, but when it’s time to put it into action, they are silent.

It’s been Real,

Rue x

PS: The same social media that will sing your praises one day, will be out for your blood the next. Stay safe.