lighten up. we’re all gonna die anyway
“lighten up. we’re all gonna die anyway.”
I am tired of hearing this when I bring up someone else’s plight and oppression… This year, I tweeted while watching the Superbowl, enjoying commentary on the game and the commercials from fellow tweets and such. Good times… At one point, a commercial ran featuring the majestic Himalayan mountains and the people of Tibet. Upon briefly mentioning the Tibetan crisis, the commercial then abandoned all reference to the actual human suffering in Tibet to promote the discounted fish curry one could get via Groupon.
Now, I am not trying to discuss Tibet and this commercial necessarily (especially since Groupon has decided to pull the commercial), but rather the response I received upon sharing my disappointment with this commercial’s trivialization of the human rights abuses suffered by Tibet’s people and land.
“You get offended easily” a loved one told me (via Twitter)
Reading that tweet instantly brought me back to a conversation I had with my friend Rayon several years ago over “sensitivity” and people who are “easily offended”. Rayon’s position was that being offended is something one can control. Why make every issue matter? If everything is of no issue, nothing can ever get you riled up. Sensitivity need not be part of your life. Live above it. These are the conclusions we came to. I agreed with him then. But I believe in humanity more, now and cannot allow my heart and mind to be that cut off from the rest of this world. (and we all evolve, grow, change, regress, morph… so Rayon might agree with me now too). 
EVERYTHING is of issue because I love humanity. I love opportunity. I love equality. I love access. I love my neighbor. I hate injustice. I hate oppression. I hate the subjugation of many for the comfort of some. When my loved one tweeted that I was easily offended, his message was part jest, part reality. I must appear to be mad to him and many others in my life, but I can’t allow myself to turn a blind eye to injustice against others simply because it doesn’t directly affect me
enough with the rambling aish… get to the point!
the point
Before asking someone why they’re so “offended” and “sensitive”, consider the possibility that there might be something about this situation that you know nothing of. Ask yourself whether you’ve exhausted the possibility of being the insensitive one. What sort of sensitivity might you be lacking that keeps you from being an understanding ally to a marginalized, oppressed group? Whenever you find yourself wondering “what’s the big deal?” recognize your privilege in being able to avoid said crisis, and be grateful that you’re so removed, it requires active consciousness to recohnize the problem.
When people emphasize over-sensitivity, as a flaw, I disagree. Sensitivity is the culmination of “humanity” in its rarest and purest form. ~ Dumi
Having the choice to decide whether someone else’s oppression or plight is worth your outrage, is a blessing. I try my best not to throw it in anyone’s face. I pray that you too, can do the same.
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“Whenever you find yourself wondering “what’s the big deal?” recognize your privilege in being able to avoid said crisis, and be grateful that you’re so removed, it requires active consciousness to recognize the problem.”
I love that statement! It would be nice if everyone did take a timeout to think it through like that before they jumped in and called someone over-sensitive. Empathy is a great gift that many should become more in touch with.
Great post!
Thanks! I agree, empathy is a gift! I hope to be a more empathetic person
that’s what i’m talkin about!
I love your email! “always humble” <– I like that!
My problem with people on social media sites is when they throw up new comments giving words of inspiration about the people in (some country) over the latest disaster knowing damn well one day before they never even thought of that country.
Way too many causes are brought up like this, then we get the status updates that say “retweet/repost this if you know someone who is affected by something if you really care about them.”
I had enough people’s status/tweets talk about that, but I can guarantee most of the idiots couldn’t point Tibet on a map or tell you who their ruler is/was or how he was appointed. Them posting how much they love everyone and all of this other BS isn’t helping anyone out, how about they campaign their congressperson (doubt they even know who that is, let alone voted). I’m guessing I could walk into any of their homes and find 100+ things made in China.
If these people don’t care enough to act instead of tweet, then I don’t care enough to give 2 fucks when they say that my comment is over the line.
Would’ve appreciated commentary on the topic of sensitivity, but okay. Thanks for reading & commenting anyway
I totally agree and was immediately offended by the commercial. Others i told about it, and watched it with were also offended, as any and everyone should have been. Not begin sensitive to things like this shows lack of concern. But that is just my opinion.
With you all the way Aaren
Great Post. I think that often times people use the word “sensitive” because it is a buzz word that is most often related to emotional weakness. The question then becomes, what was the quality of the intent of the accuser? Did he intend to attack your response on an emotional level to belittle your response? Its easy to attached emotions with emotions bc people are sensitive about their sensitivites. I think what you really expressed was Passion. Passion is the action behind the emotion. If the family memeber had expressed a more empathetic response and stated “wow, you are so passionate” as opposed to wow, you are so sensitive, then the response that you intended to show through your expression would have shown through. Great post. Stay passionate!
Thank you for your lovely message! You just made my day 🙂
you’re welcome!
Dont know if you heard the South African government been denying the Dalai Lama entry through various delay tricks,barely 19 years down the line we will still fighting for our “freedom” and now our government are becoming just as oppressive as the previous government.