In Rev. Andrea Ayvazian’s recent column I was surprised to read that someone had posted a list critical of 30 power couples in Northampton on Facebook [“Building trust in community,” March 21] Andrea knew all of them and testified that they were essentially good and ethical folks. This reminded me of something I read on one of my many Catholic sites about how to respond to something on Facebook in a way that was neither harsh nor critical. It suggested we ask ourselves these three questions before posting our opinion.
First, is it necessary? Second, is it true, and third, is it kind?
In an age of increasing anxiety and fault-finding, I think these three questions could help restore thoughtful conversations, and give others the benefit of the doubt. We have far too much harshness in our discourse, and any bit we can do to be kind is a good thing in my book.
Annie Turner
Williamsburg