Racism and bullying persists in Facebook Soap opera groups

Daytime drama shows have been entertaining fans for many decades. Now, thanks to the Internet soap lovers can discuss their favorite shows and character in groups on Facebook. Unfortunately, there is a downside that neither I nor others anticipated. I will be 63 years old on my birthday and recall schools being integrated in the 1960s. Almost everyone my age and younger has grown up in an integrated society.

You would think that after decades of working with, living near, and being educated beside those who are different that things would have changed. Based on a number of Facebook groups for daytime drama shows things are pretty much the same. Donald Trump is no longer in office and we are no longer being bombarded with his insensitive tweets.

Even so, some seem to have not gotten the message and refuse t tone down their hateful rhetoric. I share the articles I write about soap spoilers and updates on Facebook groups and lately the last few I have joined tell a disturbing tale. A number of individuals who facilitate the groups are asking those who desire to join to sign a disclaimer, indicating they will not bully or express racism.

For whatever reason, some adults feel empowered to bully others or exhibit prejudice when typing online. Recently I have seen far too many posts from women who say they have left certain groups because of how mean-spirited some people are when they do not agree with an opinion. They express their relief to find groups where the hatefulness is not being displayed.

Soap fans can be opinionated, especially when it comes to couples they would like to see together. It is unfortunate that some forget it is only television and escapism and take things to the extreme. The hatefulness is not limited to Facebook groups but to Twitter and Instagram as well. A number of daytime actors have been attacked by fans who don't like their character or the way a storyline is going.

After the pandemic, the daytime casts of GENERAL HOSPITAL, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS were dealing with a lot of changes. They were being tested for COIVID, social distancing, and being on hiatus. Many actors were dressing their characters with their own wardrobes, kissing mannequins, unable to get hair cuts, or go to a beauty salon. Soap actors were doing their own hair and makeup and some fans were pretty brutal and judgmental.

Kelly Thiebaud and Chad Duell from GH and Kiara Barnes from B&B are but 3 who endured extreme criticism from ugly fans regarding their hair. Dominic Zamprona and Kelly Monaco from GH were attacked on social media regarding the direction of their characters which is all on the writers. Soap stars who are black or Asian have hate male because they were paired with white castmates.

The attitudes of intolerance, indifference, bullying, and racism are now invading groups where those who share a love for a soap opera or a character should be able to express their mutual admiration. Time and time again I see pinned posts admonishing everyone to play nice but some people refuse to change. One might think that the devastation of the pandemic on the world would cause everyone to desire to try a little kindness but that's not what is happening.

Moderators are doing their best to delete those who are being bullies and expressing racism but for everyone that is dealt with, someone new joins and it is a never-ending process. No one is going to agree with every storyline or pairing of couples on the soaps, but there is an adult way to express your difference of opinion. Calling others names, using racial slurs, attacking actors for doing their job is really juvenile. I have even had people inbox me with sarcastic comments.

What is in people is going to come out of them but Donald Trump normalized being petty when he made fun of a handicapped man and said he would grab women between their legs. Americans voted him into the office of president and 70 million Americans ignored his hatefulness and voted for him again. Now we are dealing with the aftermath and Facebook groups are one place where immature adults believe they can spew their venom.

Perhaps as more group facilitators ban those who are displaying ugliness they will get the message. In the meantime, if you are bullied on a Facebook group, most of them have a way to report the offending person. Soap lovers should be able to have interesting discourse with each other and agree to disagree without being attacked.