As a kid I remember riding in the car and pulling up beside beat up old trucks or mini vans or station wagons completely covered with bumper stickers. I was too young to understand the metaphors or puns or even some of the language being used. But somehow, I intrinsically knew the driver was passionate about something. There was a marked intensity that was palpable even if I had no understanding.
Fast forward to today. Grab your phone. Hit Facebook, Twitter or even Instagram. I'm right back at the window of my family's minivan looking out at a nearly indecipherable world of e-bumper stickers.
The truth is we're not more or less opinionated than we were 20, 30 or 50 years ago. We just have more access to information and more square footage to cover with sticky sided vinyl. Yet, despite more perceived awareness and the availability of more potential platforms to inform, it feels my corner of the world is more divided than ever before. And according to every thing else I can find, the rest of the nation feels that way too.
It feels like a war on my timeline and I'm struggling to figure out where to engage. I've posted about sport and it becomes a war zone about the politics of socioeconomics. I've posted about ministry to various at risk segments of society and it becomes a war zone about theology or race relations.
Have we lost the ability to ignore the things that don't deserve our time? Have we lost the ability answer legitimate questions without hostility? Is there a way to stand for beliefs, knowing you'll upset the cart, without the sole intention of creating hostility?
I know there has to be a fight and change requires anger, division and most likely rage. I'm an endurance sport coach and athlete so I am fully aware that washing yourself clean through the tides of pain and struggle is both necessary and often healthy.
I'm just not sure social media bumper stickers are any more effective than the polyurethane plastered to the rusty bumpers and rounded glass of AMC Pacers in 1987.
And yes, my car is covered with bumper stickers, too.
