Clickbait

I was chatting to my friend Jack about the riots in towns and cities across the country, how misinformation had been spread via social media. Jack introduced me to the word ‘clickbait’ – internet content whose main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link to a particular web page…

‘You won’t believe it…!’ headlines that may be shocking… ‘Why you should…’ headlines that imply that you must act… One click on this over-the-top headline revealed that green gummy bears were actually strawberry flavoured!!

Jack and I reflected on how recent murder, violence, hatred and anger makes good headlines, good clickbait.

I’ve been reading ‘My Country Wept’ the biography of Theodore Mbazumutima, Theo describes murder, violence, hatred and anger in his native Burundi during the civil war between the Hutus and Tutsis that forced him to flee for his life to a refugee camp in Tanzania…

…A different culture, similar problems, far worse situation…

Theo repeatedly talks about the need for reconciliation and forgiveness, quoting Jesus’ dying words, ‘Father forgive them.’ He explains how he established a peace-building organisation… He describes returning to refugee camps, instigating care programmes for those who had contracted HIV ‘…discouraging stigmatisation and preaching Jesus’ mandate to ‘love each other as I have loved you’.’

Reconciliation, forgiveness, peace and love aren’t always such good clickbait.

The book’s final paragraph:

‘We must remember to ask our Almighty Father – who hears and is able to answer prayer – to continue to heal our land, reconciling and restoring the hearts of every Burundian affected by conflicts of the past and present. Pray with me that Burundi will have good leaders, with the wisdom and integrity to bring our country out of its current difficulties. And pray with me that Burundi will soon encounter a new and lasting period of peace.’

Last night I watched yesterday’s powerful, peaceful anti-racism demonstrations in cities and towns across England. This prayer isn’t good clickbait, but it’s an excellent prayer for our nation too.