I am starting to think this wonderful information age is giving us too much information. The internet brings the world together but some times it all seems like a bad reality show.
A tipping point for me was this past week when Lavish Reynolds live streamed her boyfriend, Philando Castile, dying from a gunshot wound next to her in a car with her young daughter in the back seat. If my husband lay dying next to me, I would use my cell phone to call 911 for help and I would hold him in my arms to comfort him. I wouldn't be narrating a video to share with the world.
In her defense, I understand that Ms. Reynolds thought filming was important to document what happened and it underscores a critical problem we are facing in this country, but it did not dignify that man's last moments on earth. It wasn't sensitive to her child witnessing everything or to Mr. Castile's family members who had to watch their son die on a video that went viral on the internet and on television. She could have turned off the camera and refocused on comforting her boyfriend as he took his final breaths.
When did society become so desensitized? I read about a woman videotaping her friend's rape! Why would anyone spend time documenting a friend's attack on a camera rather than trying to save her?
Cell phones should be used to report a crime first not to film it. I support gun control and more background checks and deplore the shootings taking place almost weekly. But I also deplore shooting photos and videos of inhumane and violent acts against people or animals and posting them online for anyone, including children, to access. I am always astounded to see people photographing an accident while the victims are waiting for an ambulance, or photos posted on social media of someone's relative dying in a hospital. You should ask someone if you can film or photograph them before just doing it and then posting it. Respect for privacy and human dignity is more important than anything.
We need less reality shows and more reality checks. While the issue of gun control make be deadlocked in Congress, we can all assume responsibility for our actions with a cell phone camera. Crowds may march down streets chanting "Don't shoot" hoping to ignite change. But one individual voice has the power to say to someone pointing a camera at them, "Please don't shoot. You are invading my privacy. It hurts me. It hurts my family."
Before you shoot, click and post, think of the person and the consequences. All human lives and dignity matters.