Face Time

I have a Facebook page, a Myspace page and a now seeming archaic Friendster page. I have been addicted to Facebook for a while now, I have a mob, cyberpet, greenpatch, I am a fan of Tom Waits, This American Life, and Barack Obama. It is a very full virtual life that keeps me online into the wee-hours of the morning. I have found friends that I haven't had any contact with for years and years. I get updates on events, birthdays, and special occasions. Along with all of this access comes a convergence of worlds, there is no way to compartmentalize people, who as to this point in my life were neatly separated - like a elementary school lunch tray. It is like the 6 degrees of separation in computer form, and people come out of the woodwork.
This morning I was perusing the homepage and a highschool friend had posted that she was "fasting so Prop 8 would pass". Now, I have posted things about my political views too, and other friends have posted things that I haven't thought twice about it. What really struck me is that these views on religion and politics are subjects that I have always avoided with the highschool compartment of my friend tray. I was largely outnumbered in highschool by people who felt the opposite of me, at a time when non-conformity felt like social suicide. If anyone asked my opinion then I would tell them exactly what I thought, but I was never the one to bring up the subject. I figured I would meet more open minded people in college, which I did. Now when I don't agree with someone, I am less likely to keep my mouth shut, I'm not combative- but definitely not silent.
I clicked on the "Fast for Prop 8" event to see what exactly it was. This was the description:
"We are asking the nation to fast for Prop 8 at 10am for 24 hours. Fast for parental rights and religious freedom!"
In my view, prop 8 restricts rights and religious freedom. As I read the comments a sense of panic began to set in - the only cure was to go directly to the No Prop 8 website and make a donation. There seems to be a lot at stake in this upcoming election, and my former stance of 'don't ask don't tell' feels inadequate. Before this political season, I have never made a donation to anything political. Now I have donated to Obama's campaign, Planned Parenthood, and No on Prop 8 (mainly because of things I have read on Facebook.) I guess Facebook not only has allowed me to get in touch with old friends, but also get in touch with my political voice.