Between the Ice Bucket Challenge, the events in Ferguson, Missouri, and the continuing problems in the Gaza Strip, along with the amount of violence in Chicago, another trend I've noticed has taken social media by storm.
What is with the cause/charity shaming people have been involved with?
Here are some of my favorites:
"You dump a bucket on your head but you haven't said anything about Ferguson!"
"What about the 80 shootings in Chicago last week?"
"You don't know all the facts!"
When I read the aforementioned common shaming practices, I wonder if those people realize that they are doing the very same cherry-picking they, themselves, accuse others of doing.
When confronted with that retort, these people will read from the flash cards given to them by the cable "news" network they subscribe to.
Recently, I was involved in a Facebook debate over someone's perceived "sudden" interest in ALS.
One of the commenters went on to say this: "We never go hard for our own stuff. We are always trying to get a bus pass on their bandwagon."
My response: "Never? When did the outrage scoreboard go up? Are they giving out merit badges? The fact of the matter is that people often care about the things that matter to them. Guilt tripping someone into liking your particular cause appears to miss the mark."
The person I was trading responses with believes that African-Americans don't show the same interest in causes that directly affects them.
The person didn't back off of their stance even when I mentioned that a college friend, who is black, died from the disease last month.
I hope that person knew that ALS doesn't see color.
According to The ALS Association, "Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The incidence of ALS is two per 100,000 people, and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time."
They also went on to say that "ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries."
Then I saw someone say the Ice Bucket Challenge was a distraction to keep people from focusing on recent events in Ferguson, Missouri.
Last I checked, the Ice Bucket Challenge had taken off long before Michael Brown was killed.
The fact of the matter is that people often get involved in certain causes because something happened that directly changed their life trajectory. Whether it is fitness, congenital heart defect, being a victim of police brutality or exposing inner-city youth to baseball, someone has to start somewhere.
We should be happy that people are willing to stick their neck out on things that the general public doesn't know about.
I'd love to know why someone would get so worked up about someone they don't even know choice to dump a bucket of ice water on their head?
That doesn't stop them from doing whatever it is that they're doing.
Why should we shame someone for a race to something that doesn't exist?
That might be the true distraction.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.