Following the Australian issue I raised last week, there has been a significant development with protests and challenges being made from many significant quarters, even within the government, against their current ruling prohibiting Australian citizens in India returning home during the present pandemic catastrophe there. That is good news as it confirms all people matter and have rights. That is good news because it confirms I do not stand alone.
My question then is why are we so ready to demonize the other, when difficulties and differences arise? Demonize the other because they are not acting as we would wish or command, because their actions or possible actions threaten us? Is it that simple?
We see this demonization all the time in migration. People are on the move to escape conflict, violence, poverty and hardship; to find a life and a living. That is their right and need but, in doing so, they may disturb us or make us uncomfortable. To their plight, what is more and more an ever ready response of the mainstream world? They are the other. Are they? They should not be doing that. Really? So we go on to victimize them, even criminalize them.
This is happening too often in our world on the big issues. We can cope with that. Can we? On reflection, what arises for me as being truly frightening is how we do the same in our own little worlds. We see a crisis, we see a threat and our first reaction is fear. The walls go up. We keep out the other, demonizing, victimizing, criminalizing in our little ways. Why? Couldn't we do better?
Think about it as do I. I assure you, I do. Happy reflecting.
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