哈尔滨交通集团运输分公司副总经理张磊接受审查调查

When we think of the word boundary, we usually think of a separation. Boundaries determine how land is split between homes, towns, countries. So, naturally, when we think of setting boundaries in relationships our minds often go to how the relationship will be changed to keep us apart.

However, boundaries also keep something safe. A castle is protected by certain boundaries to protect what is inside. Setting a boundary in a relationship protects the healthy, good parts of the relationship. The things worth protecting.

So when people block others on social media, I prefer to think of it as a way to protect the relationship from harm. My social media is a place to voice my feelings about issues and express myself to my meaningful relationships. As a therapist, and as a human being, I'm going to voice my concerns with current social issues. I have that right. You have the same right to do so on your wall. However, if political incongruences make me feel like the relationship isn't safe, I'm going to block you to protect the good memories/parts of the relationship that have value to me.

So if combative content is shared in crass/racist/reactive/transphobic/homophobic ways, I will probably block you to keep the relationship safe. It isn't my job to have a debate with you. You can do that in other mediums.

I've done a lot of blocking lately and it has felt to some that I'm just throwing away relationships. Once again, boundaries keep things safe. So this is an explicit boundary to all that blocking on social media doesn't mean cut off from my life. It means I value you enough to protect us from things I view as damaging and harmful.

I won't stand for bigotry, racism (even if it isn't explicit or hostile doesn't mean it isn't harmful), or other 'ism'-based content. That doesn't align with my value system and quite frankly, it shouldn't align with yours.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.