Last year, I blocked a few people on social media and exited WhatsApp groups due to differences in opinions. Well, not exactly that because different thoughts are enlightening, but due to trolling. Harsh words, bigotry, and bias were the hallmark of these discussions.
Needless to say, even these people must be relieved to have me exit from the group because now no one could challenge their point of view. We all love to believe we are right and our ideology is the best. Fair enough, but then why troll and abuse diverse ideologies. At that point in time, I wrote Trolled into Silence.
Over time, the situation has only worsened. Polarization, in almost all aspects of life, has manifested in crude ways. It is a global phenomenon. Innocent banter and sarcasm are also frowned upon because everyone is oversensitive. The cherry on the top is fear of the repercussions of speaking out.
Fear is more potent than any discomfort, rage, sadness, or astonishment you feel in the face of trolling. Fear enlists ultimate silence. Fear paralyzes. There are people who still speak out but sane voices are drowned in a cacophony of sorts. Even the gentlest are tricked into foul discourses and whataboutery.
Each day there is a new debate, and as the arrow next to Trending points up, so do voices and words escalate only to deflate with not an iota of difference in the order of things.
The following lines are an inner voice that urges continuing to share thoughts and words. However, who is listening? Will it make a difference? Do we have the courage to speak up? I don’t know, because the repercussions can be harsh and damning. So, I leave with just words for the brave, for I am not practicing what I preach.
Blue Pen Strokes 