I need more from my Facebook feed than pictures of artistically arranged food and smiling babies and adorable kittens (not that I don’t love those things). I rely on Facebook for information and spiritual enrichment too. Because as a faithful Catholic I am passionate about social justice, I purposely create a Facebook feed that forms and informs me regarding what I care about most. Here’s how I do it.
I Follow Catholic Accounts
Lots of them, y’all. Being formed in the faith is vital. You can’t scroll down far in my feed before running into some Catholic content. I make sure to follow authorities like the USCCB, but I also follow bloggers and news sources and artisans, many of whom I have found via Catholics Online.
I Follow Pro-life Groups
And not just the ones you’ve heard of. I’m talking groups like Pro-Life Humanists and Secular Pro-Life and many others who share my belief in the sanctity of life even while disagreeing on other issues. Because the dignity of life is foundational to social justice.
I Follow Orthodox Catholics Blogging about Social Justice
I’ll recommend two who write eloquently about Catholic social justice from womb to tomb: Shannon Evans and Steel Magnificat. And through them, I have found other bloggers and pages to follow.
I Follow a Diverse Assortment of Voices
Most folks have a newsfeed that looks like them. I purposefully add people who are not like me, so I can experience diverse perspectives. I want to hear and learn from the words and experiences of people who suffer injustice. I found many of them in this article.
I Read, Listen, and Learn
I make sure I am clear on Church teachings. I engage in discussion and debate with other Catholics on social justice issues. Other times I learn more by listening. It can be hard to read posts from people who challenge my worldview. I feel uncomfortable. And then I realize I know very little about what it is really like to be part of an historically marginalized group. That’s when I stay quiet. I don’t offer my opinion unless asked. I do not always agree but that does not mean I always have to argue. I am used to speaking up, to having a seat at the table. Part of my learning is to give up that power and to listen to the voices that often go unheard.
What about you? How you decide what belongs in your Facebook feed?
