No Right to Criticise: When will we ever learn that public body shaming is wrong on all levels?
WE now live in an era where incidences of people publicly humiliating others are considered simply part of the norm in society.
The more you stand out, the better your chances of being disgraced in public by hordes of random strangers.
Just 10 years ago, the whole concept of public body shaming was almost non-existent. I suppose this would be just another example of the downside of the Internet.
At first, I thought that globalisation and living in a world where almost everything is at the tip of one’s fingers had made people meaner, more cruel in an inexplicable turn of events. However, I’ve come to realise that there’s much more to that.
I believe we now have this sick need to judge what is perceived to be accepted and not accepted, and what is deemed right and wrong in the eyes of society.
It is this vile craving for approval that we seek, in which we assume to have the right to condemn anything or anyone which/whom we think deserves criticism, because this concept/person has broken an unwritten law created by society.
I followed the recent Rio Olympics closely, as I enjoy watching sporting events.
Having the opportunity to take part in the Olympics is the dream of most, if not all, sportsmen and sportswomen across the globe.
I expected to see a lot of laughter and tears of joy from winners, as well as dejection and tears of sorrow from the ones who missed their chance of taking home a medal.
However, win or lose, all the athletes are considered winners in their own right because being selected to take part in the Olympics is a win in itself. Not many athletes are given the opportunity to represent their country in such a prestigious sporting event.
What I did not expect was for some of these Olympians to be body shamed by the general public.
Ethiopian swimmer Robel Habte, 24, was cruelly dubbed “The Whale” online after the public went berserk upon seeing his distinctly un-athletic form and performance.
After coming in last in the 100m freestyle heats, Netizens took no time at all to post hurtful remarks about his paunc and less than impressive finish.
Gymnast Alexa Moreno from Mexico wasn’t exempted from vicious Netizens either.
The petite 22 year-old was called “fat” and some even compared her body to that of a pig.
At 147cm, with a voluptuous body, she didn’t resemble many other gymnasts who sported leaner looks.
This difference drew flak from the public and the young lady was brutally criticised.
These are recent examples from one sporting event; don’t get me started on previous occurrences all over the world, all of which takes place on a daily basis.
Many a time we have gone too far and these mistakes have cost lives. From depression cases to suicides, the number of cases have now reached saturation point.
When will we ever learn that body shaming is wrong on all levels? It is time we wake up and come to our senses.
The irony of it all is that most people who tweeted and posted about Habte and Moreno are the same people who sit on their couches and pass judgement on those who have done much for their country.
I would like to assume that it’s simply jealousy doing the talking here. Quite sad, I must say.
I simply cannot fathom this idiocy.
What people look like is none of your business.
Why people act or dress in a certain way is none of your business.
How people lead their lives is none of your business.
We need to understand that the blood that flows beneath our skin is the same red blood that flows in every other person in the world.
We are human beings of equal stature, and thus do not possess exclusive rights to condemn others.
If we can come to terms with that fact, I’m quite sure we would turn out alright.
Otherwise, I would hate to think that humanity would cease to exist in the near future.
Ashley Greig is a lecturer at Sunway College, is a Malaysian-born Eurasian with Scottish/Japanese/Indian lineage. She believes in a tomorrow where there is no existence of racism and hatred