It is 5am, on Thanksgiving… I am half asleep but I have something on my mind… enough to get up this early on a holiday to blog about it.
I have often celebrated social media / social sharing as a positive medium that in my experience opens the world of great possibilities. Possibilities of being global neighbors, helping each other with resources, support causes, spread news and perform random acts of kindness. Unfortunately, like real life… there exists a dark side. The dark side ruins lives, spreads misinformation, is manipulated for entertainment and in the case of the tragic case of the Hector “Macho” Camacho is anxiously awaiting his death.
When I first found out about the shooting, that happened not far from where I once lived in Bayamon… the tag line on TMZ (visible on Facebook) read that Macho Camacho had been killed, my heart dropped. When I clicked into the link and the actual story read that he was critically wounded, my blood was boiling. Knowing the dynamics of social media it appears that that was a baiting tactic.. My gut feeling tells me that TMZ wanted to really be the first to report it (that is what they do, good bad or indifferent). The link only had that headline for about 7 minutes and was replaced by another that said he was “critically wounded” which leads me to believe they did it to get traffic, because as we all know… everyone in the world now is a “reporter” and wants to get the scoop and will actively spread this misinformation to create buzz on their social channels. Is that really the buzz you need/want?
Because Macho’s life has always had a provocative tabloid like appeal, what we have now is a lifetime of achievement erased and reduced to social posts of people mourning a boxing legend that is still fighting for his life, a son whose mother is by his bedside praying for a miracle… we should be praying as well, especially those that claim to be fans.
This is not a regular blog post… i guess my point is when you see breaking news like this, you should really check the source (or see if it is reported by several credible sources) before you start a sharing frenzy. Do not get caught up in the race to be the “first” to report it in your circle… truth is nobody cares, and you only look foolish reporting something that is not true. The six degrees of separation may have you closer to someone affected by the news you are sharing than you think.
Let’s stop killing people on social media.
We can do better.
My prayers are with my high school buddy Marilyn Camacho and her family during this very difficult time.
Thank you Kareemah Amira for inspiring this.
Gracias…
George Torres
The Urban Jibaro
Cultivando Cultura since 1997… Social Media | Branding | Event Management Follow me on Twitter… @UrbanJibaro
About time! Good post. I’m tired of all the blood hungry posts that dare to state compassion, yet lack it’s meaning! If it was a relative or true friend, the last thing (at least I would hope) they would do is post the nonsense I’ve been reading. How about use this time to A pray…(because only God is in control) and B be thankful for the safety of your own family and friends( because no one is exempt from unexpected danger)! SMH2xs I think a better tittle for this would have been- “WE HAVE GOT, TO DO BETTER”!
Yes we do… Thank you!
It’s sad that bad news, though erroneous, is what is most impressive and impactful. No one is perfect. I’ve said this before and it bears repeating, regardless of his rep, as a sentient being who has people who love him in his life, Hector is worthy of the respect of all for his successes. I pray for the best possible outcome in this situation.
I agree, thank you for your comments.
Thanks for this post, George. I do think the rush for the “story” does cause some folks to make rash kinds of “news alerts.” I hope we have less of that and more of real compassion. My prayers are with the family. A few reputable sources since yesterday have reported that he was brain dead and being kept on life support, which in effect is keeping his physical form alive until the family is ready to let go- but the real life, the man, the spirit that we knew publicly or personally is sadly gone. That can’t be easy to come to terms with for anyone and the family will need lots of support. I wish the family strength through this, with letting go, with healing, with honoring him.
It is never easy for anyone to live thru this… Thanks Vicky
I think it is too soon! to take this man off Life support. I can’t tell you what makes me feel this way about this man but I do. Give him more time please. I understand they are saying lack of O2 to the brain, but the brain also uses less when unconcious.
I think the family will know when they need to shut off life support. But he may breath on his own and if he does, then what? Do you start a tube feeding and give him a little more time.
Thank you for your comments…