Category Archives: Amish Life

Stories, information, and lessons learned from the Amish and Mennonites. May feed the future book “Simple”

Amish Life, Causes and Friends, People and Community

Revisiting and Rewriting a Rant

Leave a comment
This is not copyrighted; feel free to adapt and use it.

When I wrote Tolerating Intolerance, I was more than annoyed and a little frustrated. A rant is a passionate, loud, and often lengthy outburst of anger or strong opinion. I consider myself a passionate person, but “rants” conflict with my self-image. I might admit to controlled rants.

The original rant centered around two Facebook users who are using Meta AI glasses to secretly record their encounters with Amish people (including minors) and then post the videos on social media. The fact that the people are Amish could be incidental, except that:

  • Many Amish communities and individuals frown on photographs.
  • Amish people tend to be non-confrontational.

That combination makes them easy to exploit. So a few of us who support and admire the Amish formed a self-appointed group of advocates and have tried to raise awareness of the issue. For starters, even the Amish (who shun technology) are probably unaware that the glasses exist and are being used. There is also a strong case that these recordings are being made illegally, particularly in Pennsylvania, a state that follows an all-party (or two-party) consent rule, meaning it is illegal to record any telephone, electronic, or private in-person conversation without the consent of all parties involved.

From all appearances, initial efforts to interest the Lancaster District Attorney and the media have had limited success. A reporter from Lancaster Online did tackle the subject in a fairly detailed article. The DA did a legal two-step by complicating the issue and claiming the law hasn’t kept up with technology.

The reporter also interviewed Laura Flynn, the woman behind the glasses. In what must be the ultimate irony, she refused to allow the interview to be recorded.

Why do we tolerate someone else’s casual disregard for others? It’s not just a legal issue. Maybe we’re too quick, all of us, to rationalize and justify.

For my part, while in the Lancaster area, I’ve made sure my Amish friends know what she’s doing. One friend works at a location that’s already been recorded and featured. Another Amish friend with a home-based business feels vulnerable and wondered what she should do. We discussed some options, and as a partial strategy, I designed and printed some signage and cards for her.

Ultimately, it’s too easy to feel vulnerable in a society that often is uncaring and unkind. It’s not just a legal issue.

Aretha Franklin spelled it out for us in song. For those unfamiliar, it repeats the theme, “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect…” And if you’re willing to offer “R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me.”

Simple, really.

A sign could help. I realize not many Amish will see this post, but if you think a sign like this at your farm stand, business, or home might help, I’ll make one for you.

“Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.”

Aretha Franklin

Amish Life, Causes and Friends, Simple Living

Laughing with the Amish

Leave a comment

A recent visit with an Amish (Swartzentruber) friend included some major laughs. She had some recently hand-laundered towels hanging out to dry. I noted that they were quite colorful but assured her that I wouldn’t tell the bishop.

The bigger laugh came while we were discussing some purchases I might make for her in my travels. In the course of making sure I understood her needs, I said, “Well, I can always call you if I have questions.” She, of course, knew I was teasing and, for some reason, found it funny! We occasionally have serious conversations about her faith and practice, so she knows I’m not trying to lead her astray. She appreciates my concern, but also finds it humorous.

During one such conversation, I had some brand new sheets to offer her, but I noted they were printed, which conservative Amish shun as too showy. We opened the package together to examine them. She noted they were only printed on one side, so she could turn them inside out! Some would call that a workaround.

I’ll admit that I don’t always understand the reasoning behind the “rules,” but I’m learning. I’m also coming to admire the thinking and creativity behind both the rules and the workarounds.

That sheet-turning trick stuck with me — a simple, clever solution to a real constraint. I found another one recently on the Amish America Blog: The Amish “Black Box Phone.” Erik Wesner does a nice job of explaining the workaround and the thinking behind it. At least one point is that the Amish think about things we Englisch (non-Amish) tend to take for granted.

Where we run on autopilot, collectively the Amish stick to flying their own plane. That’s not a great metaphor because most conservative Amish do not use air travel.

My Amish friend doesn’t criticize me for the decisions I make. I usually enjoy the ones she does. We’ve built a relationship that allows for some teasing and, more importantly, creates respect for each other’s thinking and practice. We also laugh a lot.

I like that it’s just that simple.

The Amish “Black Box” Phone: The Device They Built to Keep Big Tech Out
Amish Life, Digital Dynamics, People and Community, Simple Living

Tolerating Intolerance

2 Comments
An angry Walter Boomsma

I’m fond of saying, “The only thing I can’t tolerate is intolerance.” But it’s not quite true, and I feel a need to rant.

Let’s start by noting that any arbitrary generality about the Amish is wrong. When people say, “They don’t like to be photographed,” there’s a good chance it’s true. While this is going to be about the Amish, it also isn’t. Are you confused yet?

Personally, I do not photograph people who might qualify as “Amish,” even in public places where the law might allow it. To me, the law is not the deciding factor. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it should be done.

If we keep this simple, the odds are good that most Amish would prefer not being photographed. If one takes the time to understand the Amish mindset, it makes sense. (They aren’t worried about their souls being stolen, by the way.) One of my favorite encounters with the subject happened with an Amish man telling a group of tourists who were visiting their farm, “If you ask my permission, I’m obligated to refuse. My family definitely cannot pose. But we also won’t stop you as long as you’re discreet and respectful.”

Unfortunately, the Amish mindset and lifestyle make them photogenic and easy to exploit. A lot of people take advantage of that on social media. I don’t particularly like it, but I get it. Or at least I mostly tolerate it.

There is a Facebook User in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who has obviously purchased a pair of Meta AI Glasses. These glasses allow her to video record her interactions with people (almost exclusively Amish in farm markets and businesses) and then post the recordings freely on Facebook. I’m angry enough not to bother raising questions about Facebook’s almost non-existent “Community Standards.”

Do we really need rules and laws to prevent what is abusive, disrespectful, and exploitive? (I know the answer is “yes,” but I want to believe there is still some level of decency in today’s society. There’s not much left on social media.) If she did this with a non-Amish kid, some parent might track her down and smash her glasses. (I’m not suggesting that, but there would be consequences.) The Amish aren’t like that, and the people who exploit them know it. I’m not sure what I will do if I encounter her the next time I’m in the Lancaster area.

But I do know this. Pennsylvania has a two-party consent law, and she is in clear violation of it. In addition, from the recordings, it is obvious she is also recording minors without consent. She has been told this with comments; she simply deletes the comments and blocks the user. A few of us are angry enough to start a grassroots movement. Properly directed public pressure can be very effective. You can also reach out to Lancaster County Crime Stoppers. They allow you to report anonymously.

Update: At least one very detailed report has been filed with the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office by a Lancaster County Citizen. I haven’t seen anything concrete yet but it’s rumored that the e-newspaper Lancaster Online has “developed an interest.” The wheels of justice may be turning, however slowly.