Coffee Conversations: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

Facebook's news feed is recently abundant with articles on current events, thus it has become the social media savvy's daily source and insight on the external world. I like reading an article or two, but I stopped because I.CANNOT.TAKE.THE.COMMENTS. I don't even know how nicely I would call it anymore, but most of them are lame, unfounded, hypercritical, whiny, insensitive. I try to give my news feed a chance every now and then, but such comments are still there-I guess they will be there for eternity! Some comments could get so lame that I sometimes forget my goal to become a very positive person and my fingers would itch to type down my counter comment, but I stop--It's not worth it, that's what I'd always say and it brings me back to a calmer state.

Photo taken from iamaaronc.blogspot.com

I was browsing my news feed last night (and yet again, I'm giving it another chance) and what caught my attention was this link that pointed to Aaron's blog. If you recall, Aaron was the fashion blogger wannabe who had a quick rise to social media fame when Liz Uy retweeted and followed him-he even enjoyed a brief moment at the trending list of Twitter 'cuz of the #TeamAaron hashtag and he landed a segment on GMA's Wish Ko Lang as the program chose his request to meet (and be styled by) Liz Uy in person. For a moment, he disappeared from the high- heeled limelight, but he's back. Aaron does it again...or maybe those nasty blog commenters.

Aaron's recent blog post, A SKATER WITH CHANEL, earned the ire of many blog readers, most especially of the so- called skater alliance and skater groupies. (Heck, I don't even know if they're real practitioners or fans of the sport to begin with) Aaron was busted for his take on skater fashion, an OOTD that didn't sit quite well with a very expectant (and mostly hypercritical) audience.

And so the temptation was there-I scrolled down a lil' further and voila! I was at the comment section already. I had so many reactions upon reading a few comments-I was frustrated, horrified, and disgusted at the same time. MOST OF THE COMMENTS WERE JUST TOO RUDE!

Wanna know how rude they are? Here are samples:

I almost wanted to search for Aaron's contact number and urge him to fight for his right to be treated humanely and put the Cybercrime Law to good use. What does his being gay have anything to do with his style choice??!?! Good Lord, please don't tell me we are still in a backwards world where everyone still thinks that people from the third sex won't amount to anything! I also agree to one commenter who said that Aaron is only 15, the age where an individual tries to discover his/her personal style and taste. He/she who didn't commit mistakes when they were 15 cast the first stone!

Some of you may say that it's their frikkin' opinion so I shouldn't be giving a shit about it. Wrong! That's the problem with the world nowadays-everyone thinks they're entitled to their own opinion even if it's hurtful, insulting, degrading, mindless, and disrespectful. No wonder why this world can't achieve authentic peace! There's so much self- entitlement and selfishness going on today!

As I write this, I immediately remembered the advice of the great Buddha on comments, judgments, and criticisms:

Photo Credits: sharegoodthings.com

I love Buddha and I read a lot of his teachings and quotes, and this is one of my favorites-I call it the 'Divine Mouthwash' or the 'Tongue Gates'. Before you speak, it is imperative that you ask these questions first:

So let's say you're going to comment on Aaron's fashion sense, the government, the current situation of our society, or someone else who's irking you nowadays:

IS IT TRUE?

- There is an absolute truth behind everything, but it gets twisted because everyone tries to interpret it and they force their own version of the truth. So what you're saying is the truth, huh? How sure are you that it's true? Do you have facts? Do you have proof? What's your basis? (Hearsays not included) Do you honestly know the root cause?

IS IT KIND?

- Saying it 'kindly' doesn't mean you have to censor your real thoughts and opinion. Why can't people say "Aaron, I appreciate your take on fashion, but I think this is just way too much" instead of "Pakshet ka bakla, pangit ng porma mo skater wannabe ugh." Insulting words guised as an opinion don't encourage people-it just crushes them. Besides, you don't want to hear the same feedback about you, right? You may disagree, but that doesn't give you the right to be rude.

IS IT NECESSARY?

- Do people really have to rub it on his face that he's gay? Do people really have to curse and call him names? Saying unnecessary things will only lead to hate-there's so much hate in the world now so please, let's not add to the problem.

I know some of the things I've written here are not necessarily kind, but jeezus, the world has to be reminded sometimes.

But look at Aaron's blog now-it has a significant audience and he's currently enjoying the top spot on topblogs. Who knows? One day, this kid might be a fashion icon. Let's see how his haters would react by then.

Aaron, take it from me-haters are gonna hate. That's all.