“Truth is what sets us free, not purpose. I found my purpose because I was looking for truth.” – Nick Vujicic
The last thing I thought I would learn from Nick Vujicic is how to fight social injustice. Really? The moment I grabbed the book I imagined some Severus Snape’s Potion to Everlasting Happiness in 5 Minutes. (Snape is the character that taught Potions in Harry Potter, if you don’t appreciate my sense of humour). Why? Because Nick is born without any four limbs. Scientifically it’s called tetra-amelia syndrome.
Of course it goes without saying that I learnt a lot from his book. If I were to summarize his entire experience into one sentence, it will be: “If Nick can do it, so can I.” Simple yet powerful. But today is not about finding one’s purpose nor is it about achieving everlasting happiness. Strangely, it’s about social injustice.
The recent suicide of Amanda Todd highlights the seriousness of this issue. You can find out more about it on YouTube. You may not agree with me but I always think the interesting feature about YouTube is not the video itself but the comment section! All the viewpoints summarize how real people actually think about the issue, rightly or wrongly so. There are broadly two camps in this instance – one the sympathizer, the other the survivor (i.e. if you can’t love yourself enough, then go to hell). So what’s our stand on this?
At the core of the issue, I insist we ought to do something about it. We cannot afford to be mere bystanders. Even if we can’t fight injustice, let us at least offer some kindness to this world, in whatever capacity. In my mind, suicide rate is the dipstick to social injustice. Social injustice includes bullying, either physically or cyberbullying, racism, persecution for religious beliefs or sexual orientation, sex slavery and ethnic cleansing. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that suicide rate is on the rise and that’s after discounting the fact that suicide cases are under reported.
To the victims, I advocate the concept of fighting back. If someone pushes you, then push back, only harder. Otherwise, seek help. You are not alone in this. To the rest of us, it sure helps to offer a glass of cold water to those who are thirsty.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
The other day I caught this on the radio – a young chap thoroughly put me to shame. They were discussing on waste treatment, i.e. incineration. And he lamented how most people couldn’t care less about where the rubbish goes after it leaves our beautiful house and that our duty ends once the nicely wrapped rubbish sits inside the green refuse bin. (And yes the happy slam dunk moments that are more important than a goal scored in the Olympics). For all that we care or ever know is that it will be gone the next day!
“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead