I was going to use this space to write about my experience covering the Robbinsville Black Knights (the new 1A state champs, in case you needed a reminder), but I fear Facebook will censor me before I can complete the task again.
So instead, while I am on my third (!!!) unwanted Facebook sabbatical in two months, I will instead address Mark Zuckerburg and all the gazillionaires that own stock in the, ahem, “social” media platform.
***
Dear Facebook,
It seems you have lost your way.
You have forgotten your foundation, I say!
To tout yourself as “social” media is a joke,
Because my attempts to post about my local sports teams, you choke.
Thrice in two months you have “detected some unusual activity on my account,”
Which is your thinly veiled way of saying, “You’re being too sociable on our grounds.”
Once during volleyball and twice during football did you strike,
In the midst of a game, which made fans depending on my reporting mock and gripe.
Ever clever, I resorted to using the account of our founder last weekend,
Yes, I had to assume another identity so followers could see the updates I penned.
We live in a world that revolves around social media, and that’s truly a shame,
Especially when you keep me from doing my job and not allowing me to report on the game!
Sincerely yours,
A borderline millennial that just wants to use “social” media to be, you know, social.
***
In all seriousness, I am very proud of the Black Knights. What a fun season this was to cover. I want to personally thank all the coaches, parents and especially the athletes who helped make my first football season with Robbinsville a memorable one. The season might be over, but my work is hardly done (sigh, I’m rhyming again).
On a personal note, I am also proud of this edition of The Graham Star. It might go down as the largest edition ever produced, counting all the pages in Letters to Santa (we will deliver them to the North Pole, kids, don’t worry) and our always-popular regional basketball special section, Mountain Hoops.
Have a Merry Christmas, everyone!
Kevin Hensley is editor of The Graham Star. He can be reached by phone, 479-3383; email, editor@grahamstar.com and on social media @KevinHensleyCNI.