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With Election Day rapidly approaching, I have been paying attention. I’ve been listening. I’ve been watching. I’ve been fact-checking and researching. Even though Facebook is far from being my “go to” source for reliable information, I read people’s posts and comments daily. Social media is the perfect place to exercise freedom of speech and to share thoughts, and I am glad that people choose to utilize it to express their beliefs.

But lately, the overall political landscape of Facebook is changing: Blatant disrespect is rampant. Comments are downright hateful. Name-calling is childish and hurtful. You do not have to verbally abuse another person to speak your mind. You don’t have to disrespect someone else’s views to support your candidate. You don’t have to call people names just because they don’t agree with you. You don’t have to put someone else down to make your point.

Please remind yourself, your family, and your friends that we’re All Americans. Please ponder on the elementary basics of respect and civility, as the political divide is more obvious than ever.

Maureen Coleman
Prospect