Freedom of speech at the hands of the ignorant becomes just another commercialised tripe. Sadly, common sense and respect took a back seat today. The hurtful effects of words uttered, penned or typed are far reaching and cannot be simply removed by an eraser or the click of a delete button. I can only hope one takes responsibility for one's own action, apologise where need be or in the very least learn from mistakes.
What is wrong is wrong and where humankind seemed to be making steps forward in terms of unity, understanding and tolerance, today I witnessed it taking 10 steps back. It is easier to accept such hurtful words from a stranger. That person does not know us, therefore he cannot understand us. It doesn't make it right, but easier to accept. Yet words take on extra meaning and its significance become ten-fold when uttered or penned by one considered to be a friend. Then words become pins and each damning sentence is a prick on the trust and respect built between you and that person. Because surely a friend should know better? Surely a person who knows you would take pain and effort to understand a situation which affects you before making assumptions or evil generalisation? Ignorance is no excuse. Not at all.
Stop hating, stop being defensive and listen. We live in a multiracial, multicultural, multi-ethnic, diverse world whether we like it or not. It is time we make it work. Surely everyone deserves respect, happiness and a fair shot at life irrespective of where you were born, the colour of skin, wealth or whichever label we choose to give. Indeed, if humans can create labels for each other, we can remove it. I read a saying once, "just because it had always been done that way, does not mean it isn't incredibly stupid."
Atticus Finch (To kill a mocking bird, 1960, Harper Lee) once said, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” So I say this, stop hate in its tracks. Don't spread it, change its form or mutate it into a version that's easier to swallow. Those who do so anyway, then I put this tag on thee...hypocrite. Why condemn the Nazis, and the Khmer rouge but say nothing when our friends are insulted. Why salute Mahatma Gandhi and all he stood and died for, but maintain an Asian cannot marry a white man? Why spout ideals on 1Malaysia and write hurtful things on blogs or any other medium in the public sphere.
I pray that those who have become hurt by such words before or in future do not make the same mistake by spreading hate, generalising or jumping to conclusions. The actions of one person is just that, one person and not of a group. We have the knowledge to beat stereotype and lies but if we choose to blame everyone for the ignorance or stupidity of another...there will never be change. When will it then end?
Writing can be a soothing balm to calm the mind or ease the pain of the writer, but should such comfort come at the expense of others? I think not.
Please.
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