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Two wrongs don't make a right
11-02-2011Two weeks ago my home town hit the news and for all the wrong reasons. A young girl was the subject of a media sensation after foolishly posting comments on Facebook regarding the recent passing of Michaela McAreavy and she was subsequently fired from her job with the Outlook news and became the target of a number of online hate campaigns. I submitted the letter below to a number of outlets on the issue and it pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter.
Recently Susanne Morrison made headlines across Northern Ireland and further a-field for her comments concerning the recent tragic passing of Michaela McAreavy. I am not here to pass judgment or declare what is right and what is wrong in this instance. Before continuing I would like to say I support the Outlooks decision to dismiss her, as until she understands the value of expressing her opinion in any public medium, a newspaper, which serves to inform others, is an unsuitable place of employment.
I will say, however, this is a 19 year old girl who has made a mistake. Indeed she made some horrific comments, insensitive remarks and downright despicable statements. But let us not forget she is only a 19 year old girl. I do not for one second support her comments, in fact I think she was a very stupid not only for thinking such opinions but then for voicing such opinions in a public domain especially while working for a media outlet. However, I place emphasis on the fact that she is a young girl.
I never had the privilege or the honor of knowing Michaela directly, but I know some of her friends and from the stories I have heard I know she was not the type of person who would condone the on-going witch hunt. Who, in their teenage years, can honestly hold their hand high and proud and declare they have never made a mistake, cast a judgment or passed a remark on something they knew nothing about? If there is actually one person out there able to honestly do this, then feel free to think whatever you like of Susanne Morrison and I will not question it.
For those who have created the many groups on the social networking site Facebook, metaphorically slaughtering Susanne, have you learned nothing from this entire debacle? The public domain of the internet is not the place to one-sidedly pass judgment on another or their circumstances.
And as for those who have created groups supporting her original statements, how dare you question the outpouring sympathy for a family going through grief my own imagination wont even let me consider?! If you had a family member, loved one, or soul mate pass away and you were on the receiving end of unyielding support or your loved one was the reason a community was united in grief would you question the root of this support, the reason for this sympathy? You would welcome it with open arms because as great as your grief might be you would be able to gain some relief in knowing your loved one was loved and admired by many.
In the media circus surrounding Michaela I can be certain of two things:
1 - the last thing her family need is for this story to continue for months in the media as they read about people who do not perhaps understand or empathize with their situation and those who even slate it
2 - Michaela was an exception to every rule and I can be certain she would not wish for a young girls life to be ruined in her name. A devout Catholic girl I am sure she would have advocated forgiveness
Susanne obviously has never had the misfortune to have experienced any real tragedy and for that reason she will never be able to comprehend what the Harte and McAreavey families are going through. I implore her to open her eyes and realize that just because she has never had to endure the unbearable this does not give her the right to question the support for those who have and I implore the faceless judges and juries behind the hateful groups on Facebook to realize that this is a girl who will have to live with the consequences of her actions for a very long time, this is sure to be difficult enough without threats online.
Finally, I take this opportunity to pass my sympathies to the Harte and McAreavey families as well as all Michaela’s friends and to apologize on behalf of the people of Rathfriland if these recent stories have in any way undermined our support for you in this difficult time.
Tags: meanderings
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