Social Media in Times of Crisis

It happened two weeks ago today, at the time I send this for publication, and I still can't believe it. An armed gunman opened fire on United States military recruiting offices in our town of Chattanooga.

I think a lot about my identity as a priest in the church. Let's call that discernment. One of my thoughts is that, in some ways, I am in the business of believing. I try live my life in such a way – believing so “loudly” in peace, love, family, relationships, and God – that hopefully others are drawn to that way of life. At least, that's my working theory. So to write that I cannot believe something is tough for me. In the weeks I have had to reflect, I think what I cannot believe the most is tragedies like these are always happening somewhere in our country.

According to an article in the Washington Post), there have been as many mass shootings in the United States this year as there have been days so far this year. That's what I cannot believe. My two hometowns – the one where I was born and the one where I live now – are Charleston, SC, and Chattanooga, TN – were both hit a month apart. News coverage can paradoxically simultaneously draw attention to the sensationalistic aspects of while shortening our memories of the events' impacts on the lives of those left in the wake of senseless violence. It can all get to be too much some times.

But I got to witness something recently. In the aftermath, our city, Chattanooga – still fragmented by the aftereffects of segregation and institutionalized racist policies – is trying to come together... and it is happening through social media.

Not long after the attacks, the hashtag (#chattanoogastrong) started showing up on posts and pictures from our town and in support of our town from all over the world. And I want to believe. I don't want to go to my dark, Generation X, cynical place. I don't want to think about the ways that this sentiment will be used to sell us stuff, or “prove” some side is right, or anything like that.

I want to believe that this will be the thing that changes all the things. I want to believe that our state – which not-too-long-ago changed laws to allow for guns in corporate worship, giving new meaning to the phrase “The 'piece' of the Lord” – can change. I serve the Prince of Peace, THE thing that changes ALL things. I want to believe that this will spark a church-wide grass-roots movement where we can talk about race, reconciliation, and guns.

Will this be the tipping point? I want to believe, I am, after all, in the business of believing, but my believing won't make change. Social media has proven its ability to affect real change. It has strengthened relationships, it has changed policies, it has shamed corporations into doing the right thing, and it has even toppled governments. Is it possible the Holy Spirit can move through this moment and this medium?

This post was originally published on the Episcopal Church Foundation's Vital Practices Vital Posts blog on August 5, 2015. It has been reprinted here with permission.