The once sanctuary, the seemingly last vestige of honest relief, tainted from within. To be denied the right of comedic relief from the horrific world we inhabit. To destroy the comradery of honesty with paranoia. Instead, every word brings a twinge of guilt and worry.
Weaponizing anonymity destroys spirited debate. It destroys the ability to confront the accuser. It destroys resolution through disagreement.
There was once a world where we worked at the lowest levels. Where people could be honest. Where disagreeing parties sought self-created resolution–when supervisors laughed complaints away without it. What exists in its stead is a world where we weaponize a system that thrives on anonymity.
There was once a world where we sought spirited resolution over anonymous resentment.
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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on January 9, 2024.
Jake Smith is a law enforcement officer and former Army Ranger with four deployments to Afghanistan.
As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.
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