Yesterday, a bomb exploded at the Boston Marathon in the United States, 3 were killed and 173 others were injured. Across the sea, in Iraq, 20 bombs exploded killing many more than 3. In Somalia, a single bomb killed 29. EVERY SINGLE DAY, multitudes of innocent civilians die around the globe be it by a bomb, a natural disaster, or simply by natural causes. So why does it take trauma that hits close to home force us to stand up, unite, and collaborate to help? Why is it that a tragedy has to occur somewhere close to our hearts for everyone to come together and pray for family and loved ones? Why are we desensitized to the suffering that's REALLY going on behind the loss of life in areas outside of the United States? Why aren't we forming empathic relationships with the people of other countries that lose their family and friends to violence just as we do in the United States?
Why is it that the stories that trend for the longest time are ones where a single individual, suffering and confused, brought terror to thousands? Why do stories of political debacles and corruption or the broad developments of war make the news EVERY SINGLE DAY? Why are lawsuits that dish out a couple million here or a billion constantly in the spotlight of our interests? Why do we care SO MUCH about these things when stories that carry much greater lessons happen every day? Why aren't the stories of inspiration, kindness and group happiness trending in todays social media? Maybe it's because what is most accessible for us to see and to relate our experience to is the news that we're provided? And consequently, maybe this is what our children are being taught to see in the world?
Why do we just hear of the body counts, cause of death, and the ensuing political crisis? Why do we so often hear of failing economies and the dangers of countries in turmoil? Why do the stories that gain popularity and a mass international following focus on lost, abducted and raped children, killings with large body counts, corrupt governments, dying celebrities and pandemics? Why do we support news thats effective at scaring us instead of demanding news that encourages our faith in humanity and generates joy? Maybe it's because we can all relate to the feeling of fear but maybe having compassion doesn't come as naturally for us? Maybe it's our reaction to fear, which has become more powerful than love, that has encouraged the consistant supply of news that focuses on the things that we fear most? Things like war, death, crime, financial instability and yes, politics.
Why don't we hear about the beauty of a country where this destructive news is taking place? Why don't we get to see the culture in the people of Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan or North Korea and China, Cuba and Mexico and many others? Why don't we see their geographical, demographical and spiritual differences that create unique, diversified human beings? Why don't we learn about the families and friends of the people there and what their social habits are? Maybe it's because we're seeing people through the lens of the news which limits its stories to politics, war and economics? Maybe we'd be able to empathize with their suffering if we got to see the picture of the people and not just the government? Maybe we need to see more than just 1%.
So I've asked plenty of whys and suggested a few maybes (phrased this way because i accept differing opinions), but to sum up and provide a final set of questions for pondering:
Who do you think the people are that decide what makes the news?
What kind of impact does the news have on you?
When will we get to see news that entertains us with compassion?
Cheers to feeling fear at the thought of not knowing where this news will lead us but on the bright side, cheers to aspiring not to limit our empathy to those closest to our homes because right now, the entire world needs a whole lot of love.
No comments:
Post a Comment