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Over the past two weeks our social media feeds have been filled with people posting condolences about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Some have shared news stories, others personal experiences, but mostly people have just tried to connect with others in a common time of mourning.
I respect that, but I also respect those who chose to remain silent, either due to republican preferences or anti-monarchy feelings. These people remained respectful enough to at least acknowledge that a family (albeit a royal one) has lost a loved member and they will be in genuine grief and loss.
Then of course, as is sadly the norm now — we have those who decide this is an opportune time to voice their displeasure towards the Queen and her family, thinking now is the best time to come out of the woodwork and list the grievances they have with the British aristocracy as a whole, or for the late Queen specifically.
To these people I have little to no respect. And I say how very utterly classless of you to go down this path.
Some of those on social media who posted their thoughts had some original ideas and provided some constructive ways forward.
But there’s always that group of folk who spend their time looking at posts and other people’s thoughts on a subject such as the monarchy. Then they decide that “the people who have ‘friended’ me really need to see this and maybe they might think I am as thoughtful as the person who actually wrote it?’
What’s the best-case scenario you would hope for here? That people will respect you more, like you more, accept you more? Or is it just a desperate grab for attention?
I think there is a time and a place for offering criticism, maybe we can all take time to pause and ask — does anyone else really need to hear this? Especially right now?
Derek Goforth is a teacher at Geraldton Christian College
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