Dear Yvonne,
If there’s one thing I want you to know about YouTube or any content creation,
it’s that anger is the strongest human emotion. Analysis is the lowest energy
emotion. To go viral, the easiest way is to release people's anger.
Best,
Feranno
But if you’re asking for my opinion, I prefer that you choose grace.
Yes, there are people who deserve what they got going for them, but
I urge you to look back on all the positives and good that you have
received, and the support and love that has carried you thus far.
As an entertainer, reporters are always gonna try to find the next big
news scoop, and people online are always going to try to find a scapegoat
to release their anger.
An apology, when used as a countermeasure, is the same as an admission
of guilt. If you admit that you did something wrong, then you’re okay with
us throwing stones at you.
And so, be kind. I urge you to be kind. See the best in others, even if
you don’t understand their circumstances. Sometimes it’s best to communicate
our observations and tell people what they really mean to us and the people
around them.
It doesn’t sound like much, but to them, it may mean the world. Rebuke
your brothers and sisters if that’s what they need. But I want us to first
let go of our assumptions, and observe. Check in with them. Ask if they are okay?
Provide two possible interpretations of observed behavior and ask for clarification.
Are you saying… what I’m hearing is… summarize their perspective, and ask if
that’s an accurate assessment, if not, ask for clarification until you get it right.
Only when they have explained in full, ask if you can share your feedback.
Briefly go over what you have thought about and what you plan to do going
forward. Settle on a course of action moving forward i.e. is that alright with you,
going forward I’d like you to… is that okay. Thank them for their time.
Seek to understand, never to respond!
I've moved on. But I remember that this is something that is important to me. That
the best thing you can do to take care of others is to first take care of yourself,
before taking care of others. And that requires confronting uncomfortable truths,
reflection, and solitude.