facebook ferguson
In the wake of an event like Ferguson, emotions run high on social media and unfriendings are almost inevitable. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

By now we know that when controversy boils in the political arena, the courts and in front of the TV cameras, it’s only a matter of time until it spills over into social media as well. After the Ferguson grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown was handed down Monday night, millions naturally took to Facebook and Twitter to express their thoughts and emotions.

Some people discovered that they really disliked what a Facebook friend was saying -- enough to unfriend them. And then, because it’s 2014, they took to Twitter to talk about it. Here’s what comedian Hari Kondabolu had to say:

Of course, unfriendings don’t always go smoothly...

But ostensibly, the unfriender has removed the offensive opinion from their Facebook experience for good. Out of feed, out of mind, right?

With the Ferguson grand jury decision still dominating many social media platforms, IBT wanted to know what it would take for our readers to unfriend someone for their opinions.

Sandra Warner's comment that “Racist, sexist, obscene or derogatory comments that lack thoughtfulness will invite my unfriending. Intelligent, reasoned debate necessary," was a popular one. Along the same lines, Michael Smart wrote, “My friends have beliefs both alike and far different from mine. I respect their position and invite intelligent discussion, with no expectation to change their views or opinions, nor do they mine.”

An “intelligent” conversation is key to both of these readers. Being well-intentioned was another theme of what our readers look for in Facebook conversation. As in, there are certain (subjective) lines that a friend shouldn’t cross.

For others, there seem to be no lines. Adam S. Walburger writes: “No way. I like to hear others' opinions. Some may unfriend me, but I see that as close-mindedness.” Sandra Small sees unfriending as a “last resort.” She writes, “When I reach the point where someone else's opinion is making me that upset, I get off the Internet for a few days or I ‘unfollow’ that person for the time being.”

Todd Ayers brought Thomas Jefferson to bear with the quote, “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” According to the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia, the third president wrote this in a letter to William Hamilton, addressing an accidental snub.

An essential question: How good a friend is this person in the first place? Is it a high school acquaintance you wouldn’t miss, or a cousin you kind of have to put up with? “It's harder with family; you just have to do your best to ignore them,” says Cecilia Larkin Webber, which -- let’s face it -- we’re all probably pretty good at.

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts.