For TikTokers, future is still bright FROM

ROSLYN RYAN Editor

Virginia senator Mark Warner doesn’t like TikTok. What’s more, if that fact puts him at odds with the roughly 150 million Americans currently using the app on a daily basis, he doesn’t seem particularly concerned.

“As chairman of the intelligence committee, I believe TikTok poses a national security threat, and before all the potential bad action takes place, we ought to act,” Warner said in an interview with Politico last week.

Warner, of course, is no stranger to the sweeping influence of social media, though YouTube seems to be his preferred method for reaching the masses (Warner remains, to date, the only elected official in American history to achieve internet infamy vis-à-vis a tuna sandwich). So perhaps it comes as no surprise that, when asked what would become of the current crop of content creators who count on TikTok for their income, Warner did not seem overly concerned. They’ll find another platform, Warner said, and possibly do even better. But while this might in fact be true, it fails to take into consideration the fates of those who can’t imagine sharing hairstyling tips, fashion advice, political advice, marital advice, lip-synch demonstrations, life observations, tasteless jokes, recipe tips, parenting advice, product recommendations, I-hate-my-job rants, fitness programs, travel diaries and videos of pets doing funny things in any other social media realm.

Sen. Warner, what about them? Don’t they deserve a say?

As a public service, and as a show of support for all those professional TikTokers who may very well soon be out of a job, I’d like to offer a few suggestions on how they might put their skills to good use once time runs out for TikTok.

1. Serve as the new Roundabout Ambassador for VDOT: No, this position does not technically exist…yet. But with as much influence as TikTok creators seem to wield, it’s a good chance they could help the Commonwealth sell citizens on the one idea almost all of them love to hate. An added bonus? What better place to show off your viral dance moves than the center island of a new traffic circle?

2. Arts in the Park: It’s tough to ignore the performative aspect of TikTok, even if you’re not a regular user. Those who compile the most views often do so by acting out scenes or participating in self-directed skits (I once saw a woman engaged in a vicious pretend fight during which she played both parts. All three of us lost). Would it editorial & Business office and Mailing address: 8460 Times-dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va 23116

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Production Manager denine d’angelo ddangelo@mechlocal.com be such a stretch to have these TikTokers perform for their communities? Picture summerstock but with more toilet humor and catchier music. The product placements might be a bit distracting, but come on—this can’t be the first time you’ve seen Hamlet and Ophelia delighting in a $300 juicer.

3. Town Crier: Admittedly, it’s been many, many years since this once-vital community role faded away. And it’s going to feel a bit stuffy to have to start every sentence by yelling out “Oyez, oyez, oyez!” But with their penchant for sharing news, gossip, advice and whatever else, unemployed TikTok stars will find plenty to love about this job. Yes, the annual salary is $0. But the outfit is totally chic in a retro, Old English sort of way and the big brass bell is going to be every influencers’ must-have item for summer.

TikTok friends, it’s going to be alright.

Keep creating, keep dancing, keep being utterly ridiculous, no matter the platform.

We’ll keep watching.

Letters To The Editor

Parents have the right to do the teaching if they choose

Dear Editor, I have been following the news about proposed changes to policies within the Goochland school system. If I understand it correctly, there seem to be differences of opinion regarding multiple issues: the availability of certain books in the library, the content of certain history classes, the use of restrooms by certain groups, and more.

It seems to me that there is a very simple solution that has not been offered up yet, at least that I have read in the press surrounding the topic.

When a student’s guardians have multiple concerns about the content and environment surrounding the education of their offspring, they often decide to home school their child. When you home school, you can control every aspect of that student’s education and social life. You can even introduce subjects like religion, that are not offered in public schools.

You do not have to be formally educated as a teacher, but there are stipulations around the credentials of the instructors, as well as ways to monitor progress,

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS

The Gazette welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette.

send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: (804) 344-8746 e-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com to ensure the child is progressing satisfactorily. My home-schooling friends tell me that there are options such as evening teaching, online learning, shared teaching, and other methods to accommodate working parents. The Virginia state requirements are available with the click of a search button.

I have many friends who home school and they all have one thing in common –they would rather put their energy into making a customized learning experience for their children than making a ruckus and expecting the rest of the world to solve their problems. Tinkering too much with what appears to be an outstanding school system in Goochland is a dangerous proposition. I would hesitate to implement changes that could negatively affect student outcome and the school experience itself to accommodate what appears to be a handful of noisy outliers.

Liza Brings Manakin Sabot Supervisor’s actions violate public’s trust

Dear Editor, Why would a member of our Board of Supervisors

Please see LETTERS, Page 7

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