George Takei has wise words about unfriending people on Facebook

If there’s one thing we can all agree on after last week’s election, it’s that Facebook has been absolutely abuzz with political news and opinions. And one of our favorite Internet wise men wants to impart an important, Facebook-related message during this tense time.

Vulture let us know that George Takei doesn’t want you to unfriend people with opposing political perspectives.

Apart from the fact that it spells #drama because you can see who unfriended you (and that causes real-life consequences), Takei provides one of the best reasons possible: optimism. In an op-ed  for The Daily Beast he wrote,

"There is an understandable impulse to disengage, to “unfriend others on social media who disagree, to demonize whole groups as irredeemable racists and sexists. This may gain some momentary satisfaction, but with all its fury it solves nothing in the end. It certainly does not bring us closer to the promise of our country."

We’re extremely on board with Takei’s positive approach to this difficult subject, and appreciate that he’s advocating for small changes that impact our community in meaningful ways.

"There are many who rightly feel afraid for what will happen next. But hard as it is to face, we must remind ourselves that fear is the favored weapon of bullies and thugs. Fear can make us turn away from our hopes and give in to mistrust and cynicism. Let us instead take each moment of fear as a challenge to stand up ever taller."

If you’ve been seriously considering unfriending some Facebook friends this week, just make sure to take a moment to really think about what it means. What might seem like an inconsequential gesture could end up contributing to the tense political climate we’re all trying to move past.

We’re open to more wise words from George Takei anytime!