It’s a known fact that life doesn’t treat everyone the same way, no matter whatever the situation is, let alone unprecedented times such as these. All the blows that we are facing such as – Pandemic, Racial discrimination uproar, Economy in the doldrums, Climate calamity wake up calls, Animal cruelty, Forest fire, Heavy downpour/cyclone etcetera – have had an asymmetrical impact on various strata of society & so it’s bound to evoke unique reactions from people. All departments of our life seem to be in perfect shambles. We are sort of railroaded to make decisions that are not organic to our nature in the name of adaptability.
Irrespective of one’s relationship status – Single/ open / complicated/ engaged/ married/ separated whatever – none can claim to be footloose and fancy free anymore – It’s a thing of the past. Trending tagline #selectiveoutrage is just another example of how we jump on to a bandwagon without personal sense of authenticity, just for the heck of it. How can social media trend/buzz Or my neighbor Or President of The USA tell me – what issues I should feel for?! At times like this or otherwise –none of us know how our heart and head responds.
May be racial discrimination strikes a chord with few and animal agony with others. Mr Ajay Pandita’s killing & plight of migrant workers – both deserve center stage equally but it’s possible only in an ideal world. India is a sub-continent not just a country. This means, amount of diversity a continent (group of countries) holds is seen in a country, every 100 km we find different language or variation in pronunciation, food habits, folklores indicating distinct point of views – allow this fact to seep in. Disproportionate tendencies are normal. It is what it is. When we are in the zone of relishing our retail therapy, if a stranger or shopkeeper gives unsolicited suggestion on our selective shopping – we say, their behavior is so uncalled for. Similarly, when we question selective outrage of others, we do come across as airheaded.
We can’t as a society now start to dictate how one should respond to happenings around to sound correct in a pseudo virtual world. We can’t have manicured approach to everything. Feelings are raw – heart wants what it wants. We preach tolerance day in & day out but if an individual chose to speak about an issue that doesn’t resonate with us then we flare up like agnidevta (fire god), to an extent where we literally go after burning that individual to ashes – with some wisdom, we all understand that it’s a reflection of the amount of bitterness/insecurities we all carry that makes us attack others especially achievers. Am using ‘we’ liberally & trying my best to refrain from third person usage ‘they’ bcoz we are used to blaming society but ‘WE’ are society. There is no third person here. High time we take collective responsibility for all the sh*t that’s hitting the roof.
Our journey colors the way we perceive anything and everything. As simple as that. Firstly, we all put celebrities on a pedestal & then expect them to please everyone every time – Even god has given up on such utopian tasks 🙂 That’s precisely why all our prayers won’t get answered all the time. Yes, we can definitely wish for an ideal world where all individuals who are influencers or otherwise to take up every cause on earth possible and lend their voice to further amplify the reach of the protest. Given the time constraint, it’s humanly and godly not possible.
Also, constantly lampooned by media & us as a society, key influential people are forced to walk on eggshells. No one has hit zen or nirvana in true sense to an extent where they can always toe the ‘balance’ line. Contrary to stock market funda, high risk doesn’t always mean high returns in opinion industry. People are sh*t scared to speak their mind even if it’s genuine– everything needs to be well thought down to a T and weigh each word.
Let’s accept it as a fact without deadly dramatic glances that celebrities/influencers definitely have too much at stake. We also forget that they never signed up for this – it’s just an honorary courtesy role they are taking up. Given our constant nagging, slowly, people will start to zip their lips which in no way benefits the world. Let’s allow room for mistakes so that we all learn & do course correction than constantly holding people at gun point for anything and everything uttered or typed. It’s our responsibility to stop the fear of perception. In this toxic process, we are all losing by allowing opinion industry to be run by a few shameless thick skinned people who end up creating mood and meaning around which never reflects the true sentiment. Let’s stop pouncing on each other.
Above thought doesn’t mean that i have way too much of soft corner for people in power. It’s also understandable that they have to pay price for their privilege. No free lunch for anyone. Disproportionate insane amount they earn definitely justifies the stress they go through.
The amount of richness they experience not only in terms of money but exposure that gives immense experience, impact quotient they are blessed with – they definitely need to act with responsibility, Also, they are paid enough and more to actually digest all these blows. That said, let’s be smart in making sure we put that privilege of influential people to good use especially when they are all willing to. Whether we understand or not, agree or not – truth is ‘amor vincit Omnia’. Kindness is damn sexy and cool & it will always be in vogue, no matter whatever the season we are in.
Note: Amore Vincit Omnia – Love conquers all