The Unreasonable Liberandus
The term “liberal” over the past few years has developed a negative undertone to it in our country. The word that used to resonate with acceptance of behavior and ideas, equality and lawfulness is now cringed upon for being global and not recognizing oneself culturally or religiously. Off late, to my amusement, I have been called liberandu/libtard quite frequently and frivolously. And I couldn’t help but dig in and explore this quality that I seem to possess in abundance.
If we compare the content that we consumed via phone or television or any form of media in the past decade and the decade before that, it is quite obvious that our way of life has changed drastically. We were way more social in the absence of social media. And this change of trend has definitely become an opportunity for the marketing teams of any organization to sell their ideas to the consumer. I think we are very well aware of the many media houses that are funded by political parties, newspapers that are biased, celebrities that are bought to support causes, influencers that are bought to influence. After all, it is money that runs businesses and homes.
An average person thinks that by forwarding messages to all their groups, they are increasing awareness. Now the habit has developed so obsessively that they have conveniently forgotten that what they share is also their mindset. The readers tend to react to the messages — authenticity unchecked, sources unquestioned. The emotional fools that we are, have this unsettling feeling in our chest, for a thing that probably does not even need our daily attention.
I do find it outrageous that the political speeches in our country that reach millions, do not tell people to help each other, or to spread love and kindness or give clear instructions after calamities, or support mankind and animals, rather gets offended when the common man asks for accountability, or that the civic bodies, activists, judges, lawyers, policemen, media personnel's, common man etc. do not find it safe to actively voice their opinion or even do their job. The rate at which corruption and manipulation is growing in our political system, today more than anything, I feel the need to question. Question everything I read — check the facts based on statistics and data, and quite frankly, I don't believe anything anymore. Most people are working their fingers to the bone to make the ends meet. So I choose to evaluate things this way. If you are happy with the public infrastructure, the fuel prices, the taxes you pay, the quality of life you get in turn, the safety of your loved ones in your neighborhood, the crime rate and other services provided by the government that matter to you directly — then you have nothing to complain. If we keep the social and religious sentiment out and if we can look at the city, state or country as chapters in political science, it wouldn’t be that hard to question the governing authorities for the amenities that you should have, rightfully, as citizens.
I do believe in humanity. I am sure that if something happens to me or if my loved ones needs help in my absence — my friends and neighbors will be the first to respond. I do understand that this opinion comes from a place of privilege and that there are worse that people face everyday but I also believe that having a prejudiced system is far worse. Ergo, when I call out religious or racist or sexist discrimination, or hate filled political propagandas and judge them on humanitarian grounds, I am reminded of history lessons and/or called ignorant or anti national. It is somehow assumed that I am not aware or woke about the so called “real” problems. I become the oppressor who is not letting others emote at their will and fancy about insignificant and noisy affairs that don't ease my everyday inconvenience. I am also reminded, that I am oppressing them from being callous.
If you think that I am questioning or demeaning the political party you support, then you are questioning them too coz everything you read above is as generic as it can be — irrespective of what political party you support or don't. Its not even country specific. If you think certain words insinuate towards a particular political party, then I applaud your awareness. If you are not able to extend your support or promote a political party without using undignified language or demeaning another political party, then I question your ability. If you intentionally and blatantly hurt another individuals sentiment, then I resent your virtue. If you cant differentiate between the politics of religion over politics of good governance, then I empathize with your witlessness.
So forgive me for not supporting your point of view, though I do understand it. I’d rather choose to be a humanitarian liberandu than being a hate-mongering, sadist mf. I am a little sensitive like that.
PS: Thank you for reading. This is not a dialogue. Its an opinion — accept or ignore. Just like, live and let live.
