A year that highlighted the importance of freedom, rights, truth, and the implication of choice in a world ravaged by a pandemic and social unrest.
More than a year to reflect and reset
More than a year ago, the world was brought to its knees collectively at the devastation of a global pandemic that wreaked havoc on a scale to which no nation or individual was immune. As we knew it, the virus had overtaken our lives and exhausted our systems to which it symptomatically demonstrated the cracks in our societal framework and infrastructures that were becoming clearer than ever, showcasing the systems in place were hardly sufficient enough to support and prepare us for the magnitude of this global pandemic and its aftermath, something which we are still fighting till this day. For a time at the height of the pandemic, it appeared for many to be the end of the world, fortunately, we are still here and more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. We have indeed come a long way since the early days and have been given some much-needed perspective of the dangers and challenges we are facing. Though in retrospect the failure to act with greater urgency was a sign of our complacency and more importantly our priorities.
As the world now moves forward, taking on board the valuable lessons we have learnt during the early days of the pandemic and from the year that was, 2020, a year symbolised by the sacredness of our breath. Whether it was being reminded of the preciousness of the breath first as the ultimate necessity of life (our lifeforce) especially in the midst of the pandemic of a respiratory disease that at its worst characteristically attacks our lungs and starves us of breath and of life or tragically, being further reminded through acts that neglected our sanctity for breath and for life — if you can recall a knee on a neck that starved George Floyd of breath and ultimately, dignity and life. That was just one of many acts amongst others in a turbulent year marking the critical sign of the times in the midst of social panic and uproar. Such moments proved pivotal to signifying the times, as violence escalates and injustice becomes tragically and almost indomitable recurring theme in our human lives to the point where it has fuelled even more tension than ever before. Having said that, there’s no surprise, such moments in the past year alone came to a head and divided the world more than ever.
A year of violence and division
Picking up from the year before, 2021 began in notable divisive fashion concerning such fundamentals of rights, choice and freedom i.e. insurrections in the midst of inaugurations signifying the implication of choice in ‘democracy’ (perhaps the theme of this year). Elsewhere, shocking coups in more drastic forms were carried out reinstalling military coups notably in Myanmar, Mali, Guinea, Afghanistan to Sudan and elsewhere. Some even led to drastic assassinations, from Chad to Haiti. In all forms, issues surrounding democracy and its state of function around the world remains contentious. The latter nation just like the U.S, nations founded on independence, proved even ‘democracies’ are not exempt from problems and tension from its citizens. Amongst the internal divisions of nations, tensions escalated further between the two global powerhouses U.S and China, already engaged in a war of all form’s; territory, global reach, influence, military and the more sought-after economic power status. As this major conflict grows, one wonders how important the issues surrounding it will play a part in a physical war, especially as Asian Hate sentiments rise and cements a clear divide and in the midst of the economic/territorial war. Nothing Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings can’t fix, right? Speaking of divides, the division is evidently cemented as tension came to a head in Gaza once again — another reminder that the pandemic does not give pause to world affairs, in fact, the pandemic only exacerbates existing issues and heightens unnecessary suffering and further divisions of a system that fails to address the severity of life-threatening issues such as famine, inequality and injustice. Perhaps it does not come as a surprise in such geopolitical backdrops, cultural wars and social divides — all of which are only symptoms of a greater problem; our lack of humanity and cohesion.
While nations gear up in powerplays, movements of the people grew stronger to combat the ills of society; inequality and injustice, but so did the rise in opposing movements — all of which were rising to magnify the concerningly growing phenomenon of indifference and hate. As disenfranchised groups such as the Black Lives Matters movement grew stronger in the aftermath of continued acts of injustice last year, this year another underrepresented and invisible group found their voice after long-held silence and suffering. Brought on from frustration and devastation of horrific violence done towards them, they could no longer tolerate being scapegoated, marginalised and unfairly treated. Together, these hashtags movements gained further traction sparking much-needed discussions acknowledging racist history in the long search for equality, even collecting sympathetic ears, even if for a brief while. But as all these movements unfolded, they were met with resistance with polar divides growing in opposition — the so-called elephant in the room no one wants to address is the sentiments harboured by many and how scarily it is rising. As the tension reaches a tipping point as does our home, none of our leaders has surely stepped up to the plate, rather some were ever fanning the flames, literally.
Temperatures rising
If the events of this year alone proved hopeless, we did however have some positives in the midst of such turmoil; firstly, we have vaccines now — the ultimate and best preventative measure towards infectious diseases such as COVID (along with masks and restrictions) and we were even given a slight reprieve of enjoyment and celebration as the Tokyo Olympics went ahead after its postponement. Even when many of us around the world were in lockdown and the world was put on pause — there was no shortage of celebration of excellence and even something greater; our differences, and our overall commonality. Hell, the only unity we saw from the world, irrespective of beliefs — came in this form (perhaps we should have an Olympics every year). Though some others would say it was perhaps one big distraction, even unnecessary in the midst of a pandemic but if anything, an uplifting and inspiring distraction we needed. One could argue the coming together of athletes was more hopeful, inspiring and sincere than the coming together of politicians in saying the Climate Change Conference, COP26, where the world’s nations pledged to make a difference, without solid plans or transparency and ‘empty promises built on preference for economics and despite its etymology, it’s clear such institutions places inadequate efforts in ‘the management of our home — a home that continues to burn, dry up, flood, and melt away, as we wait to cut our emissions in ten years for which it may already be too late. Perhaps in that context, governments around the world should put less focus on their nations sporting achievements and more aiding the welfare of their people and the prospective future. While the world did rejoice in some normality of the Olympics (myself included) or some brief reprieve after the peak of the pandemic, one would hope to say that the world has been far from normal, or say optimal — for us to hope to even return to its previous state — at least not the world we normalised.
As we slowly emerged from the shelter of our homes after lockdowns and restrictions, what emerged was many of the unlucky few and a lot of angry people (rightfully so) who had lost hope but even more patience with governments with their inefficiency to protect them from harm as well as financial instability. While the world was brought to a standstill, many had lost jobs, businesses, financial security, shelter and general livelihood. All of which may have been only a secondary concern amid the immediate concern of contracting a deadly disease which certainly brought some perspective on the fragility of life. Now, a year on from getting our breath back, perhaps we have left our gratitude behind and have continued to take things for granted once again. Firstly, our leaders are still falling on empty promises to address serious threats to our planet and its inhabitants and as we speak, toxic pollution continues to choke us and global warming continues to bring catastrophic consequences such as rising sea levels (which will catch up to us) while leaders join choruses to conveniently label the virus our enemy but there is no scapegoating the problems of our own doing and the new threat that has occurred as a result of action and inaction amongst ourselves while we find more ways to be divided rather than united. So as tension boils, as hate and indifference rise — we must find ways to meet the demand to temper them down, everything from lowering our carbon footprint, our emissions and tackling the sentiments that create such an environment for distrust and apathy.
A year where virus and misinformation spread like wildfire
While developing nations were crumbling under the system completely ravaged by a pandemic and awaiting viable prevention for COVID, coming in the form of vaccinations, more privileged parts of the world have become a hotbed for disillusionment, doubt and taking personal and public health for granted, while the virus merged into a deadlier and more infectious offshoot, Delta — and as we speak new threats emerge in the form of Omicron, proving more infectious than other variants. If these threats to humanity are not concerning enough, we are also in the middle of a battle between backlash following the vaccine rollout. This brings us to a greater symptom to address, something just as deadly as the spread of the virus — the spread of misinformation that seems to be fuelling this new movement. Though most of the world rejoiced in vaccine arrivals, another minor front used it as found more ammunition to fight off what they perceive as tyranny and government oppression as the freedom movement has emerged into its own sect of pro-choice movements. As the contentious issue raises questions over the black and white nature of the problem, there is certainly no grey area like there are with other moral issues that continue to divide our beliefs; abortion and euthanasia for example. What differs most about these issues is the sentiment behind the vaccine and even the intention of its rollout. Their main concern is regarding the risks of vaccines and the exercising of mandates. In such a globalised world, the scope of the issue only broadens and affects more and more people. There is no denying how important it is to understand this phenomenon and how to address it.
These issues concerning the fundamentals we value in our society; choice and freedom have now led us to the hot topic of this year and our times perhaps — one which is a significant marker of the issues that has the potential to bring us to a societal standstill for its tremendous stakes in terms of choice. For many, vaccine mandates have become the latest in contentious issues dividing us. This is a moral issue of the times. None of which there are clear answers. It’s safe to say, the majority around the world support mandates, for their intent and purpose for the protection of the general public. But like the sceptics, I too share in fears that governments abuse their power (in other ways). Though what the leaders of the world are guilty of would take a bigger protest and boycott to rectify than not following mandates. For the most part, those of us privileged enough to have the opportunity to express themselves would espouse freedom of all kinds, including sharing doubt over the intention of vaccines, or government tyranny but the spread of misinformation is another matter entirely, something that should be considered just as harmful as the spreading of hate in the name of free speech and expression. Generally, if we want true freedoms, for ourselves and for all, we must remain open in view, belief and discussion. As we speak, one of the greatest threats to our freedom are lies and the choice to misinform rhetoric, including propaganda and agendas of higher powers themselves (something we cannot tackle immediately) Nevertheless, regardless of doubt we should keep ourselves open, not shying away from the discussion or even engaging in healthy debate with openness to understand things we cannot quite comprehend. Information travels just as fast as the virus, for that we must learn to be immune to the dangers of both. Opinion and beliefs form just as fast and with it spreads movements akin to pandemics. This is something we must be conscious of as we learn to resolve both dangers.
Reasonable doubt
Doubt has always existed about the veracity of vaccines, there’s no shortage of anti-vaxxers freely reminding us of the link between vaccines and autism. Naturally, concerns are merited for vaccines in general, given they are foreign things to the regular person. Even more specifically COVID vaccines are relatively new and there are proven inherent risks from taking them. But there are risks to everything we do and consume. And I’m sure most of the world population has had the privilege of having some sort of vaccine in their lifetime — preventing them from disease. Should we not fail to mention the eradication of smallpox. Hence, the distrust for vaccines is at times puzzling but that is no cause to be subjective and brush off genuine concerns shared by many — even if it is a minority. This movement highlights a divide of all kinds, and there is no bigger divide than the difference in belief — and then its ultimate maker, choices thereafter. Choice in this context is of the greatest magnitude the world has ever seen. What we have seen is doubt exist on the biggest scale — beyond flat earthers, aliens’ conspiracies, even ever since the atheist movement of the enlightenment. But unlike the science behind it that drove that movement, this movement has grown out of what may be seen as not scientific rather misinformative. Of course, there are plenty of reasons to doubt what the governments around the world tell us and whether they have our general interests at heart. The global economy works towards neglecting the social welfare of the people — their mouthpieces — the media pedal propaganda to suit their agendas. Therefore, trust is hard to come by from such institutions and of a broken system, or hierarchy, if you will. But beyond the human realm, there are things in life we have to accept beyond our control, such as sickness and this should be no different.
No one more than me hoped that this was all one big conspiracy. That governments all around the world created all one big hoax giving us just cause for necessary change so that we could start again to replace the status quo and fix the system. On a more personal level, I’d rather that the virus did not exist, was neither real or was just like the flu and wishing my family never had the virus and that my own father did not have to spend weeks in ICU telling me wishing he hadn’t waited to get vaccinated because he thought he would never be affected in such manner. The toughest man I know who has gone through hell and back was reduced to a man I could not recognise, because of some virus. It would be trivial for me now to argue whether COVID-19 is real at this point. What I would like to express on the matter is my gratitude to the team of dedicated health care workers who have sworn an oath, and worked tirelessly to revive our loved ones. That thought alone, makes me wonder why wearing a mask for some people is an inconvenience when I think of the doctors and nurses who wear it day in day out undertaking gruelling life-saving efforts to save lives, which could have been prevented in the first place from the very same act. Perhaps such thoughts can go a long way, then can we be reminded that mask-wearing would be considered not only a luxury but a noble act. Just as the freedom to express that the virus is not real. Perhaps at the height of the pandemic when it was raw and frightening, perhaps it gave some much-needed perspective of the immediacy of our concerns, to be free from harm. If we are to stress freedoms and rights, we need to distinguish lockdowns from being sheltered from harm. That is the key difference. And the harsh and honest truth is, we are in a global pandemic and many of us will get sick, some will never be the same in the foreseeable future, some will even die, and some of us will behave like someone we love die from it. Sooner or later, there would be no denying its existence and even more, we will learn to live from it. Life goes on after all. But what we should take from this is how grateful we are to have survived it so far. If we had learned anything from last year is to realise what’s more fundamental than the breath or our lifeforce, before rights, freedom and choice — without breath or life, none would even be possible. The next step to giving ourselves the best protection from these dangers involves a great commitment, that is to follow our morality and our good senses. Foregoing protection for yourself and others, because of hesitancy or disbelief in a virus means accepting the consequences of one’s actions. If COVID is not real, the worse that happens is we have been lied to and everyone lives — which only requires a sacrifice that goes a long way. And if it is real, well you’ve become complicit in many deaths, some of which maybe someone you love. These are the decisions we have to make in great conscience. Choices should always be based on that rationale because the latter leans towards less risk. If there’s any doubt, perhaps we can also leave health-related matters to healthcare professionals who have taken an oath and taken risks to their own health to uphold something greater than themselves all in the name of the greater good. That’s the choice we ourselves need to make and swear by to each other.
The right to choose
While vaccine mandates and lockdowns are only extensions of what many perceive as government exercising too much power. Perhaps a universal sigh has been beckoning too long. All this anger has clouded our judgement. We have seen the power of scapegoating lead to misplaced rage, all to blame and hold someone accountable. Vaccine mandates are at the precipice on the idea of choice, a choice that will not only separate us but will go on to define humanity’s ability to forego self-interest. More importantly, the topic of choice will define how we cope with this chaos, which I suppose deserves such reflection and discussion — enough for both sides of the argument to be addressed. Not that one article summing up a year briefly could give the needed answers. After all, what stops us from being united all comes down to our choices. Choice holds a rationale that is of critical importance because of the implication of the choice we make, affects others, including every action we undertake — whether it’s placing a knee on a neck, choosing not to wear a mask, not getting vaccinated to simply unjust decisions. In some parts of the world, governments are mandating what we can do with our bodies; abortion for example magnifying the contentious nature of choice for those who are pro-choice. Many believe the government has no right to decide on such personal matters. It seems almost akin to governments enforcing mandates. But upon review comparing these two arguments, only just demonstrates that in issues such as abortion and euthanasia, only those involved are truly affected and choices made in their circumstance, are ones they responsible for. That is something we must consider in the matter of choice, taking reasonability and the effect of that action on others.
Speaking of other contentious issues, the Kyle Rittenhouse trial laid out to bear the supposed rule of law that favours the right to bear arms over the rights/freedom to be safe from harm or to be killed. There has been plenty of oversight in such decisions to measure the moral wickedness entrenched in such systems. Not to single out groups or sentiments, but it would be harder to move forward in light of the outcome of the case, and take the right of ‘choice’ seriously when certain rights are put above others. This may not be exclusive to the United States, but it comes as no surprise in a society that stresses rights, despite its treasured amendments seemingly appearing to be in a fixed state. But that’s beside the point, such an example only magnifies injustice but more importantly prioritizing and places importance on certain rights over others. One would wonder if across the world natives of the amazon were celebrated or upheld in the light of Kyle Rittenhouse, who essentially armed himself and carried himself across state lines as a non-enforcement officer and created an environment of danger resulting in lethal consequences. Meanwhile, natives in the amazon are being killed off and no one around the world bats an eye or has an opinion on it. The legal defence of the right to protect property seems to fall short in this case here. Defending each other and our homes should not come at the expense of other lives. What we have here is a case of fundamental rights being blurred, perhaps there’s no wonder our sense of morality is clouded. But this poses a greater question. Which rights are more fundamental? What we can only take from this, is such blight on decision making is a sign of a greater issue in need of a fix.
The Social Contract
More than ever, when the world is evidently struggling to cope with the effects of the COVID pandemic. Our crumbling system was further magnified by gaps in our society; social, economic and even political. In a world run on self-interest, this comes as no surprise. But society was set up to be predicated on the idea of the general will and representative government, hence the animosity when the public is upset when their elected leaders are not meeting their demands or placing society’s welfare at the forefront of priorities.
The question is how do we manage a pandemic while maintaining livelihoods existing outside our health? The burden falls to our leaders who need to make better choices and do their part by providing healthcare and being transparent and sincere. Perhaps such efforts would have saved many lives during the pandemics. We should also expect the same standard from ourselves as the general public. Beyond the pandemic and social unrest, let's hope we find a way to correct the insufficiencies in our society’s so that we do not have to make the hard choices. Hence why thinking about the impact of our choices is the natural route out of this dilemma or anything pertaining to choose can be solved by thinking of greater implications. Morality is a human problem; what’s more human than understanding and compassion, that a something to be reminded of as we move forward divided in beliefs. The greatest and most influential proponent of the social contract, Rosseau, distinguished morality in regards to what we should do (moral obligation) versus what we want to do (desires) the quality of our choices should be measured in consequences. In an ideal world, we should be free to choose but in doing so freedom cannot be granted entirely unless we give back in some form. Trust and rights must be earned, we are no more entitled than anyone else. Rights are afforded when we do the right thing. Getting our way is not rights. And being part of a society means having rights is a great responsibility and privilege, all of which equates to accountability. There is something more important than choice. Accountability for our actions. Freedom can only be achieved for all if no one’s welfare is not impeded. More important than freedom of choice is right and wrong a reality that works best for everyone. That is codified in the social contract. Living in a society affords us protection, security and welfare. At least that was how it was set up.
Making informed choices
There are still no signs of COVID stopping while the world resumes everyday life and continues to rebuild its economies in the midst of a movement catapulting itself in the limelight in the name of the ideals and qualities we most upheld and long for in society; rights, truth, freedom of choice, naturally occurring in the midst of a year highlighted by violence and division If we had learnt anything at the beginning of the pandemic, it was to be grateful and to appreciate our breath and the little things we take for granted, then perhaps by the end of this year we can learn to cool things down; our mindset, our tempers, the temperature we emit into the planet. As tensions flare, we’re in need of a solution to the everchanging divide in terms of the choices we make and the beliefs we harbour. The state of the world is at stake. In such a complex and chaotic world riddled with tragedy and disasters (natural and manmade), making choices is complicated by the options and as we learned we must accommodate the choices of others in an inter-web that is not exactly sustaining and harmonious. But when we factor in the qualities and states we value in the individual and groups, we can learn to appreciate the quality of choice. The choice remains critical. But choice extends to others. After all the freedom, right and choice will only be achieved when it is afforded for all to be safe from harm whether from hate or viruses and these issues can be tempered with attention and care and making conscious decisions. Our Choice of response is just as crucial as anything. We cannot let even polarisation detract from our responsibility.
As we treasure our freedoms as much as our health, consider that for others. We’re all in this together for better or worse. As we face more pressing issues perhaps we can learn from them in order to broaden our understanding and perspective in the hopes that the understanding can bring us closer together, to the very least our disagreement may not erupt in violence, hate or distrust. For we all have the right to be free from harm and to make our own choices, let us hope that we consciously think about how our choices may affect others. Whatever affects indirectly affects all directly and let’s utilise our faculties of reasoning to make an informed choice and to be accountable for our choices, for the difficulties still lies ahead — most of which involves us all working together. Use this as an opportunity to reset the tide. As people flee their homes, the idea of freedom is taken for granted. Most of our problems of our own doing, many of which remains mostly a human problem, for which we need to acknowledge and solve, or this could be the make or break bookmark in humanities triumph over the challenges of the 21st century which in this trajectory is headed for catastrophe in all fronts, most of which may not be reversible as the planet loses species, tribes and ecosystems are damaged. To put that into perspective with the virus. I was told with great devastation that those who contract COVID like my father would have irreversible damage to his lungs, to never be hundred per cent again. He was lucky, but we may not be overall. As billionaires rocket out of space, or money is spent looking for alternative life or homes on other planets, we need to turn more attention to preserving what we already have. Going forward, if we want our society to prevail, we must uphold the choices that ensure we remain honest, compassionate, truthful in order to dismantle our unrest. The greatest way to end this year and to move forward in the new year, is to ask ourselves what choices can I make in a world in the middle of a pandemic, social unrest and injustice? In the spirit of choice and the brevity of what that choice entails, I only suggest choosing wisely and consciously and with great compassion.
