In just a few years, social media has exploded in popularity, enabling members to link up with old friends, make new friends and sadly, sometimes new enemies. Although there isn’t a Dislike button, the new candidate for dislike is a young woman from Plymouth, Massachusetts by the name of Lindsey Stone, who by tomorrow, might be the latest user of social media to be known as the “most hated woman in America.”
Her Facebook page has been removed but the damage is already done. Earlier today, Lindsey Stone posted a recent photo of herself next to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Ft. Meyer, Virginia. Although it’s not entirely clear what the intent of her “finger”, it’s safe to believe it was pointing to the graves of American troops who died while serving their country or just the sign that reads "Silence and Respect."While the First Amendment protects Ms. Stone’s freedom of speech to express herself, most Americans, particularly active military and veterans are outraged by this act of blatant disrespect to anyone who has worn a uniform.
Thousands of social media users have already become aware of Lindsey Stone but as more news of her insensitive actions reach out to others online, the more widespread the outrage will be. Facebook groups are already calling for her termination from her employer, a non-profit organization known as LIFE (Life Independently Forever) that “supports adults with disabilities within its condominium communities on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.” The non-profit became aware of Ms. Stone’s Facebook post and placed her and another woman who took the photo on unpaid leave pending the results of an internal investigation.
What appears to be a very noble non-profit organization who lends support to people with disabilities, is now receiving a very public thrashing on their Facebook page. Ironically just last week, this same organization posted a comment on their Timeline that acknowledges Veterans Day and asking its group members to “remember to thank those who serve our country.”
After becoming aware of the social media firestorm she created by her “finger”, Ms. Stone issued a response on her Facebook page that read:
“Whoa whoa whoa… wait. This is just us, being the douchebags that we are, challenging authority in general. Much like the pic posted the night before, of me smoking right next to a no smoking sign. OBVIOUSLY we meant NO disrespect to people that serve or have served our country.”
Ms. Stone claims no disrespect and only wants to challenge authority in general, but she really blew it by picking the wrong place to show her dislike of authority. She is pleading mea culpa, but on the internet, or more importantly on social media, there really is no turning back the clock. Tomorrow comes a new day and with it hopefully comes with a sincere public apology from Lindsey Stone. What might also come forth in the days ahead and just before the Thanksgiving holiday, are people who are in full support of her First Amendment rights. Either way, it’s hopeful that the non-profit Living Independently Forever does the right thing and sends Ms. Stone on her way to a new career, perhaps as a volunteer for a vet center.
