“In a world where you can be anything, be kind”
Jennifer Dukes Lee
Hypocrite, disgusting, trolling, toxic, vile, are some of the words that describe today’s culture. They’re also words that have popped up a lot more in recent light of devastating news that has left the UK shook to the core. It certainly has left me with a heavy heart.
Humans aren’t perfect. Celebrities are humans too. Many people forget this. They have emotions, make mistakes and are as vulnerable like the rest of us. The only difference is, being in the public eye means exposing themselves as easy targets, ready to be preyed on, have their privacy exploited and scrutinised by the media and trolls. Lies, a twisted and distorted truth, clickbait titles, biased are the reasons why we should take any stories published by the media with a pinch of salt. The media has a way of manipulating the public whilst destroying lives at the same time.
Certain tabloids and personalities who shall not be named have proven themselves to be hypocrites. The sad truth is, they will never learn nor change. They will go back to their old bullying ways and find new victims. This needs to STOP! It’s time for a change.
We live in a society where people kicking others down makes them feel better and superior. This is the dark reality of social media that has been going on for years. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Just like the saying, “think before you speak”, think before you type. Is it kind? If not, then shut up. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Keyboard warriors may disguise their words as “criticism” and use it as an excuse, but in reality, it’s cowardly. They would never say it to someone’s face. Even when the damage is too late, they’re still focusing on their victim’s flaws and mistakes to which it doesn’t define that person.
Telling someone to ignore the harmful comments, disable social media, toughen/man up etc is easier said than done. Many brains have been accustomed to picking out the negativity over the positivity. We will always remember that one negative comment within the sea of hundreds of positives. How do we overcome this? Words have a detrimental effect on mental well-being. They’re a lot more powerful than you think, leaving a deeper cut-throat impact resulting in the possibility of setting off a chain reaction of damage.
“The truth is, we all face hardships of some kind, and you never know the struggles a person is going through. Behind every smile, there’s a story of a personal struggle.”
Adrienne C. Moore
Mental health is considered a taboo in many cultures and also carries a social stigma. Despite it becoming less of a taboo in the UK, it’s still not taken seriously enough. Mental health is real and paramount. It shouldn’t have taken this long to realise the importance and we shouldn’t have needed a wake-up call to finally acknowledge the severity. It has no age range, no specific facial expressions, no obvious behavioural signs in front of others, only hidden behind a mask.
Just because someone is mentally strong doesn’t mean they’re less likely to be vulnerable. Anyone’s world can collapse in a matter of seconds. Nobody deserves to be bullied and victimised. Nobody deserves to feel inferior and quite frankly, shit because of others. Nobody deserves to believe suicide is their only option to escape.
Those who are suffering want their voices to be heard but live in fear of being let down and left feeling disappointed. Thus concealing their feelings and struggles even further. We need to learn to do better and advocate change. Be that someone’s point of contact, a person someone can 100% trust and confide in with zero judgement. Let them know that you are genuinely there for them when they need someone to reach out to without letting them down. Learn to understand what they’re going through. Help them believe that they’re not a burden. It’s not easy for someone to open up so be patient.
“You never know what people are going through and sometimes the people with the biggest smiles are struggling the most, so be kind.”
Be Kind, Stay Kind
Being kind goes a long way. We shouldn’t have to be reminded this but sadly we constantly do. Kindness isn’t a sign of weakness, hatred is. Choose kindness, spread it, make it your mantra and stop fueling the hate is the correct step forward. Be kind.
UK Helplines:
Samaritans: 116 123
Childline: 0800 11 11
Mind: 0300 123 3393
Calm: 0800 58 58 58
Papyrus: 0800 068 4141
Shout: text Shout to 85258
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