Please Don’t Let This Place Turn Toxic

For some of us, this place is home

Last year, I deleted most of my social media accounts because they turned too toxic for my mind. Every time I went on Facebook, there was someone complaining or arguing with someone. Every time I went on Instagram there was someone lying to themselves and to the crowd making me feel like my life was at a standstill when in reality what glittered wasn’t gold.

I saw the effect social media had on my mind and so I said enough was enough and removed most of the apps and my mental health has greatly improved. I kept Medium because it was the only place I could come hang out without a negative effect on my mind. I was grateful.

But now I’m afraid.

I’m afraid things are changing and this platform grows toxic by the hour. Negative articles are dominating and being pushed to the front while positivity gets thrown out of the window with no recognition. This only goes to tell people that negativity is preferred, so it’s all people are tapping into.

Trolls and a group of people who refer to themselves are “woo fighters” are boldly harassing spiritual writers in my publication and other places while never writing anything of their own. Atheists have turned violent and ruthless insulting and belittling those who claim the name of God.

It’s all so wrong.

Now people don’t know how to politely agree to disagree. When someone disagrees with what has been said, they get loud and aggressive. They rain insults to humiliate instead of understanding we all have different beliefs and backgrounds and that’s a normal part of life. It’s our differences that make us unique.

If this place turns toxic, I can’t stick around because my mental health is more important to me. I can’t keep writing here when armies have formed ready to attack anyone with an opposing belief. It’s not right, and it’s getting worse.

We’re all grown here, so please let’s show respect for each other even when we can’t agree.

This is a petition of sorts, to ask Ev Williams and the authorities of this great platform to ensure this place remains safe like it’s always been. Every account that gets blocked and reported must be seriously looked into to understand why and if there are signs of abuse, harassment, attack, etc then there must be consequences for whoever is in the wrong.

This is so important, especially right now. People need safe places to retreat to when the world gets too crazy. Please don’t allow this place to turn toxic because, for some people like myself, this place is home. It’s all I have to feel a sense of belonging.

All the negativity doesn’t make the world a better place. It makes people feel so bad they want to leave it.

Please don’t let this place turn toxic.