You all know how down I can be on social media at times. Well, there are definitely times it can be a wonderful thing as well. Konner Suave, a newly graduated high school student from Spokane, Washington, is my exemplar:
“It is easy for people to be cruel over social media, so I decided to make an anonymous account on Instagram that would counteract the negativity seen today by posting a picture of each student and a paragraph of what makes them great, and how other people should see that too,” Konner explained in a post on the account, aptly titled “thebenevolentone3.”
Slowly but surely over the next 11 months, Konner found something kind to say about all 657 of his schoolmates. He posted the notes along with a photo of each student. Instead of just highlighting his fellow seniors, Konner gave the spotlight to students in all four grades, Today reported.
Once he got the ball rolling others would join in to say positive things about their classmates. And it’s reported that at least two similar accounts have popped up since graduation to carry on what he started.
This is a fine example of something that would appear to not be a big deal, but really adds up to one. I’m also sure that for some kids it was a big deal to them. I remember how I felt in high school when one of my teachers sent me a kind note one day after seeing me perform in an assembly. 657 similar expressions is a lot of positive energy, a lot of days lifted, and perhaps even lives changed.
Konner, you rock. With people like you in the rising generation I have reason to be hopeful.
Yes. I remember observing and commenting on this wonderful young man a week or so ago. I’m glad that you have drawn hope from this. I did too. Since then, I have had too many counter examples and have now officially given up on the world.
Another good example is our own Cliff Breen. He is flooding Facebook with super heroes. It only takes a small push to get a flywheel going.