Sunday, August 9, 2015

The Actions of a Few



Recently, as some of you know, we experienced what I can only describe as a debacle on social media, causing me to make a decision I never thought I would make... to close down a canning group that was 27K Plus members strong. 

To close a Facebook group is no simple process... the only way is to delete all members, then delete yourself... it took about a week for me to complete this task. During the deletion process, I received comments, private messages, emails, messages on my personal Facebook page... some supportive and understanding, some rude, some telling me how I should run things, some advising me to pass the torch to someone else and simply go away myself.The common thread on many of the comments and messages criticizing my decision usually included something like "why would you close a group this large due to the actions of a few?"

The answer? My answer? I got to the point where I couldn't tell who the "bad guys" were... I got tired of being told how to run things... I got tired of the drama, the backbiting, the arguing... I got tired of the criticism, the finger pointing, the feeling of anonymity people seem to get when on the www... where they feel they can say ugly things while hiding behind the anonymity of social media that they wouldn't dare say to a person's face. And I wasn't about to give my "baby" to someone else... I started this group, I grew this group, I couldn't simply give it away... my name, my work, my reputation was tied to this group.

Anyway... the common thread, "why let the actions of a few?" got me thinking about all the times in history where things, good and bad, were affected by "the actions of a few." I'd like to list a few examples of how the "actions of a few" changed the world...




  • In 1973, Norma McCorvey, using the pseudonym Jane Roe, got abortion legalized in the United States... Roe v. Wade.
  • On December 1, 1955 in Alabama, Rosa Parks decided to defy racial segregation rules by not giving up her seat for a white passenger when asked. Her actions sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, designed to put enough economic pressure on the city to listen. The campaign was so successful, it led to the desegregation of buses by the US Supreme Court. Rosa’s defiance changed the course of civil rights in American history.
  • In 1963 Madalyn Murray O'Hair started a movement that eventually  led to the removal of prayer in schools in the US.
  • Emily Davison was a women’s suffrage activist. She was imprisoned nine times, and endured force-feeding while on hunger strike. In 1913, her protest at the Epsom Derby resulted in her death, as she was trampled by King George V’s horse. She died of her injuries in hospital four days later. Her intention for the protest has always remained unclear, but she is remembered as a symbol of the struggle undertaken for the right for women to vote.
  • Adolf Hitler, German dictator, and his Nazi minions during the 1930s were the reason millions of Jewish people were slaughtered during the Holocaust... All Germans were NOT Nazis and tens of thousands of Germans lost their lives as well by protesting the actions of a few.
  • Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence.
  • Only 3 percent of the citizens of what is now the United States of America fought in the Revolutionary War that brought independence from Great Britain.
The above are only a few examples of how "the actions of a few" made huge changes. "The actions of a few" can be a powerful thing!

I don't even BEGIN to include myself or my small actions in the grand scheme of history... but I like to think I've made a small difference. That I've given inspiration and confidence to a small group of people that helped them to become more self-sufficient, to take the power of feeding their families into their own hands, to learn a skill that will serve them well. I'd like to think I have played a small part in that.

Can on, my friends!





27 comments:

  1. I loved your facebook page. I learned so much. Canning has become a passion for me. Your page was always a great resource.
    I am saddened by the closing, but more sad that people you thought you could trust betrayed you.
    Yes the actions of a few have caused a great loss.
    You handled it with grace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I deleted my facebook account long ago and haven't missed it.
    So I have never seen your facebook canning thing, I just look at your blog
    when I am looking for information.
    There are much better ways to do things than facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I never realized you had a facebook page. Occasionally some of my friends share things from various recipe groups, but I find them annoying. If I think I want to try the recipe I have to write it down because there's no logical way to save them. I much prefer recipe blogs, or allrecipes, or something searchable.

    Glad to see you back here and looking forward to seeing new recipes!

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  4. Blog on! You are one heck of a canning teacher!

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  5. Blog on! You are one heck of a canning teacher!

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  6. I gave up Facebook many years back. It showed me more about family and friends than I cared to know. I have not regretted that decision. I much more appreciate blogs of those I choose to follow. Evidently I joined your blog group just before your decision to "take a break", and missed not having you around. But I never cancelled my subscription and loved being able to check to see how Canning Granny recommended doing a particular task. Thank you for keeping your blog and continuing to share with the rest of us. When you feel attacked just consider the source it is coming from and know that you have way more friends and supporters than the attacker. Some people only know how to bring pain and suffering with their words. Theirs must be a miserable life to live.

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  7. I enjoyed seeing the canning posts on FB, but definitely not worth the emotional tole. Thank you for all your hard work.

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  8. I hadn't canned for years. Your blog has become my 'go-to' place when I have questions! Thank you for your work.

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  9. I have a problem deleting facebook, It deactivates the account but it's not gone. I want it gone! Do you have any suggestions on how I can get rid of it for good?

    Thanks for any help.

    Linda
    Bestoflongislandandcentralflorida

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would like to know as well.

      Delete
    2. Interesting question, I asked the tech guru at my school and he says that once you deactivate the account after awhile it goes away on it's own. He's not sure how long that takes, it will go away. BUT he also said that you will leave a "digital footprint" that can be found, with effort, but still can be found. So if you're trying to delete something worrisome, it might still be able to be found.

      Delete
  10. Hi, I had no idea you had a FB page. I only receive your blog. I'm sorry for the problems you had on there.
    I hope you continue with the blog.

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  11. I also did not realize you had a FB page. Also, since it was your page, you have the right to do with it whatever you choose. Nobody has the right to tell you what to do with it or how to handle the situation. Kudos to you on how you handled it.
    I love your website and if I have a question about canning, this is where I go.

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  12. Rude people go away. Canning Granny is the best. We all love her and will miss her the most. Hugs to Canning Granny :)

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  13. I don't do Facebook, so I stay out of a lot of drama. I think you did the right thing and just think now of all the drama you won't have to deal with. I come to your blog for help and inspiration. I enjoy it very much and I hope you know how much you mean to the others here on your blog. Darlene

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  14. I totally support you, and know where you are coming from. I've been running an online craft network for 6 years and it has been a lesson in scammers and trust. I no longer trust people until I know them pretty well and I've learned to ignore the haters ... though it still gets to me when someone says a rude or mean comment. You have my vote as doing the right thing and doing this for yourself. I hope you continue this blog and keep your knowledge coming into my inbox!!!
    Roxy

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  15. THANKS for all you have done. Sorry to see you go. Best wishes

    Bev

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  16. This is so sad. So many people now days are so rude and have to make such horrible comments to people for no reason. Our society has changed so much and it's not for the better. :(

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  17. I'm sorry to read this, but I do completely understand......I myself had to pull back from a page I had started....due to bickering and terrible things being said about others....Life is too short to allow "social media" to take up our whole lives...I applaud you for your decision but will miss this page.....Best of luck to you and thank you for your honesty and allowing us to know WHY you are closing down your page....Best of luck to you and keep on canning! I've saved this blog to my favorites so I can check in occasionally!

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  18. I'm sorry to hear that people were so rude and disrespectful to you. You had a great page going and I will miss it but truly understand the reason for taking the page down. Best of luck to you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Can't find where to sign up for your blog... help :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One the right hand side of the page, a little below the green picture that says "The Versatile Blogger" there's a place that says "Follow by Email" and there's a space where you put in your email address, then click "submit."

      Delete
  20. I HAVE SPENT YEARS WORKING MY WAY THROUGH DIFFERENT JOBS COOKING I HAVE BEEN A BANQUET CHEF FOR THE MARRIOTT IN ATLANTA, BANQUET COOK FOR THE CROWNE PLAZA THERE ALSO FOR 35 YEARS OF MY LIFE I HAVE CATERED FOOD TO OTHERS UNTIL I REACHED YOUR SITE JUST ONE CRAZY NITE TIRED OF WATCHING INFOMERCIALS I HAVE NEVER FELT SO GOOD ABOUT COOKING DONT GET ME WRONG I LIKE WHAT I DID AND I DID IT GOOD BUT CANNING WAS SOMETHING THAT I JUST DIDN'T DO IN LIFE NOW THAT IM RETIRED IT IS SOMETHING ME AND MY WIFE DO TOGETHER AND AS A TEAM WE BOTH LIKE IT AND CAUSE WERE OLDER NOW DINNER ISN'T A CHORE WE SPEND MORE TIME AND YES EVEN THO THE KIDS ARE GROWN AND GONE WE MAKE STUFF FOR THEM WHICH MAKES DINNER EASY FOR THEM AND THE GRAND KIDS THEY TELL US WHAT THEY LIKE AND WE MAKE THAT AND OTHER THINGS AFTER AFTER ALL THE JOBS AND ALL THE SCHOOLS I HAVE BEEN TO YOURS IS THE ONLY ONE I GET TRUE SATISFACTION FROM AND YES YOUR ARE A SCHOOL AFTER GOING TO MARINE CORPS AND COOKING THERE AND GOING TO The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) AND LEARNING THERE I FEEL A WHOLE OTHER SIDE OF COOKING WAS OPENED TO ME THIS IS MONEY SAVING TIME SAVING AND PRACTICAL IN TIMES AND DAYS LIKE NOW..... AND DID I SAY IT BROUGHT SOMETHING TO ME AND MY WIFE WE HAD GOT SO BUSY WITH LIFE TAKING CARE OF THE KIDS GETTING THEM THIS PAYING FOR THAT WE HAD GROWN SO FAR APART WE WERE STAYING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE HOUSE WE LIFE FOR THIS WE JOKE ABOUT WHEN EVERY ONE ELSE IS TRYING TO MAKE IT WE WILL STILL BE LIVING AND EATING WELL I LOVE YOU AND THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH..AKA .BUMSIE

    ReplyDelete
  21. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.. don't ever stop blogging and sharing your infinite wisdom and wit. I send PEOPLE to you all the time who are wanting to know how or what to do WHEN canning! You do such a wonderful job at it! AND there are MANY more to shake and teach..I have been canning since a small child as that was just our way of life, I still can but have become a creative canner canning and creating the foods we love ( go away canning police, live off your government caretakers) and love being self sufficient. I don't can like I used to but do can year round...why? Because YOU INSPIRED ME TO DO WHAT I LOVE! Create delicious healthy food! I too decided to remove myself from the drama and issues that seem to plague our world these days (including some of my family..) I regularly visit your blog and refer others. Thank YOU, thank YOU....Just know you are loved by many people whom DO Appreciate and look forward to your contributions! We LOVE YOU! Do what you love, you were born to TEACH!FARM GIRL UP and carry on! TEACH! SHARE...We do APPRECIATE your wisdom...prayers and blessings to you and yours

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