As we all know, there has been yet another incident of oppression, neglect and power abuse, by those who are supposed to protect people from the same. The authorities above them simply don’t seem to care and the media won’t take interest.

The media and the powerful control the optics. The illusion of free will is the modern day pandemic. We’ve been conditioned in a way where we think, we think, when all that we’re actually doing is simply floating away on a brain fog created by the influencers and the powerful. We’re blindsided in every turn.

The Reality

Think about it, sure, we all reacted, made a huge scene all over the internet, all that fuss, for a couple days or so. And then we went back to minding our businesses. Now yes, there are a few people taking active steps consistently, but they’re doing it always and anyways. I’m talking to the rest of us, the masses.

It’s time to wake up to the reality. Day by day it’s only getting scarier and not liberating. This isn’t the first time we hear of events of power abuse. And it most certainly won’t be the last.

It doesn’t have to stop with government officials. Anyone with authority above us can misuse it. And many do. How long before it happens to any one of us?  It’s terrifying to even think about it.

We are a democracy, meaning we have all the rights to question the people in power and we have an elaborate and a beautiful constitution. But the constitution has the power to defend its people only to the extent of compassion in the hearts of people who are supposed to exercise it and also the awareness that the people have about their rights and duties.

The Root Cause

The real problem here, I think, is not the unprofessionalism and brutal actions exhibited by those in power, but the lack of awareness among the masses. And the lack of a sense of social responsibility. We don’t even know our basic rights and duties. People are just unbelievably selfish and unimaginably stupid. All that we care about is ourselves and what suits our needs currently. We don’t give an ounce of forethought about how our current actions may have an effect on others or even our own future. That’s even more alarming.

It has become a normality to think of everything in such a way, that makes us feel resigned and powerless. One might say, “I don’t like politics, violence and all those other stuff repulses me”. But for how long? We live in a society and it’s very much essential for us to know what goes on in the said society.

What did we do?

Every time something happens, we make a huge fuss over the social media, hit the share button to save face and turn a blind eye the very next moment. Everyone wants to look good in the media, but no one gives a flying fuck about what’s actually happening. How many of us actually dig deeper, to find out what really happened or if the news is even credible? How disgusting and irresponsible is that?

This next bit is to all the youngsters out there. Right now, as much as you may claim to be so modern and outgoing, you’re still under your parents’ shadows and their protective pedestals. Yet, there’s still a sense of worry that peeks out from time to time. How safer do you think you’d feel when you step out into the society on your own? One way or another, we have to go to those in power at some point. Think about it.

What to do?

As terrifying as it is, it simply boils down to one simple thing. Social responsibility and Awareness is very crucial. It’s high time we feel the gravity of the situation.

Change starts with one person, but then again, who are we kidding. We live in a time, where people get a thousand different thoughts in every change of picture on their screens. And of course, we can only do what is in our control. But what people fail to realize is the power of influence that each and every one of us wield. Yes, change starts with one person. But it shouldn’t stop there. With that change, a sense of responsibility, a sense of common good is also birthed. When we believe that change starts with us, shouldn’t it also inherently mean that we now have a responsibility of influencing others to change as well? Isn’t that what is actual social responsibility?

Today, a teenager has more resources and technology in the palm of his hand connecting him to anyone and everyone with a click of a button ( probably more powerful than a king in the medieval times ). And other than creating Hashtags and doing WhatsApp forwards, what else have we learnt.

All this unbridled knowledge and resources have actually made us dumber. Perhaps, Knowledge is power no more, Wisdom is.

Conclusion

Start observing. Start learning about your basic rights and the basic laws. Be mindful of your surroundings and be socially responsible. If someone has learnt of something or if someone has a solution for a problem that’s going on, put it online. Even if you don’t think you can implement or enforce it, maybe, just maybe someone who can actually do something about it might learn of your idea and breathe life into it. Its not like only influential people have to talk about these events. Any and Every common man should. You never know who might be listening. Talk about the problems in our society. A lot. Learn about it. Simply sharing Hashtags and WhatsApp forwards, isn’t gonna do anyone any good. Take active actions. A simple step can do wonders.

The world is in agony, not because of the violence of violent people, but because of the silence of good people.

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