Fired for Facebooking

I think it is interesting that we have constitutional rights that others (including the government) can violate and go without prosecution. How can people get fired for Facebooking?

First, I must say that people who get on Facebook or any other social network and dog their bosses and co-workers are seriously immature and foolish. Indeed they are naive if they believe their posts will go unnoticed. If you have something to say to someone you should say it to their face. However, we are supposed to have freedom of speech that allows you to say what you think in any venue.

Last night a dear friend warned me against posting blogs. Being aware of the many challenges I have faced with people attempting to undermine my goals in the past, he was concerned that someone would take what I write in my blog and use it against me. My response... Fuck that (SMH).

The very thought is repulsive to me. It makes me feel like Cedric the Entertainer in Kings of Comedy like, "I wish a muthafucka would..." I recognize that this is perhaps unrefined, immature, and yes even foolish to say, but if I have one pet peeve it is people who bully and abuse the power given to them. You should use your status to help people not tear them down.

Managers who fire people for what they say on Facebook should face litigation. Police officers who perform illegal searches should lose their jobs. Presidents who make executive orders that allow wire taps of citizens without judicial warrants should be impeached. You get the message? Maybe that will stop these breaches of individual rights. And at the same time, people should not abuse their right to free speech to act aggressively in slander and defamation.

We have taken a seriously wrong turn as a society if well meaning people have to live in fear of persecution for sharing their ideas in a blog. If anyone has any issues with things I write in MY blog, I welcome them to make comments. I will respond. We can discuss it and maybe even come nearer to one another. We can use dialogue to edify one another. Lest we resign our interpersonal interactions to superficial, inept, inert discourse.

The life line today people is to stand up for your rights. Don't be a floor mat. Be assertive! Assertiveness is far from aggression in that there is no intent to harm someone, only to protect yourself and your desires. Assertiveness is akin to self-respect, but it also requires respect for others. If you don't respect yourself, you can't expect anyone else to respect you. Never be afraid to go after what you want. Speak loud and clear, stand up straight, and make eye contact.

J