What We See on Four-Inch Screens Is Only Part of Reality

If we can’t dig deeper, we should at least be kind

Stories exist before (and after) what you see on the cellphone video. We Internet bystanders have no real idea what preceded or followed.

We like, we comment. But do we understand?

People are not well. Some of them do heinous things, and some get “caught.” Accountability is powerful, but if our purpose is to record and revel in the unwell, then we’ll only ever solve the symptom, never the disease.

Shit behavior must be held to a standard, and if people don’t realize incredulous acts can (and often will) be caught on camera, that’s on them.

But we may just be catching someone on their very worst day. And if we can’t find the grace to help someone help themselves, then we’re just as lost.