Lately I have been thinking about something, its about people, the way they live, the way they move through the world, and the question of what entitles someone to the rights and privileges of being a human. Now before going further, I would like to confess that the discussion ahead could be a little uncomfortable in the start, so if you choose to go ahead after this, then make sure to read the complete essence in order to avoid mis-interpretation.
Now, think of you going into a gym, not to workout, but just to observe. What do you see? People moving in strange manner, holding and moving themselves into poses that no-one would naturally do, and to an outsider it might look a bit strange. Now some of them are there for health, some are for fitness, and yes, some are there for something else entirely “selfies”. Now, that’s not where I am trying to point, in a way they all are actually doing something good, they are putting in the effort, they are sweating for it, they are at the very least moving forward, and I applaud to that.
On the contrary, think about a different person, the one who does close to nothing, not because they can’t, but because they won’t. They sit at home, hollow keyboard warriors and full-time social-media activists, shouting about various causes but offering no solutions. The people who look at the world and say, no need to channel the direction, things are fine the way they are going, I am fine the way I am existing, and “okaying” almost everything, without thinking.
This is what has been running in my mind lately that, Should human privileges be an automatic right of being a human? or should they be earned through contribution?
I know it sounds “what?”, but think about it, we live in a world where the concept of “privilege” is under constant discussion, consider nepotism, we don’t like it. We don’t like the celebrities who get roles in movies because of their last name, we don’t prefer the systems where people get advantages they did not earn. We respond to them that “No, no you should prove your worth, just like everyone else.”
So why do we hand out human privileges without question, even to people who refuse to contribute in any way?
Now, allow me to be clear, I am not talking about people with genuine limitations. If a person is having disabilities, or is sick, or is in a position where they physically or mentally can not contribute, that is different. They do deserve every support that we can give them. Why? because if they had the ability, they would probably try, their lack of contribution is not a choice.
I am talking about those people who can contribute but choose not to, the ones who have tools in their hand but decide it’s easier to complain. The ones who reject self-improvement and say “This is just who I am, accept me like this or don’t.”
Sometimes I think where did this idea came from, this “Its okay to be like this” attitude. It sounds nice, it sounds kind, but is it really that? Or is it just an excuse created to avoid effort? Not so long before it used to be that self improvement was seen as a good thing, trying to be better, healthier, smarter, stronger was celebrated. Now people are supposing us to “accept ourselves” as we are, no matter how far we have fallen from our potential. And anyone who points it out, is labelled as a “shamer.”
We have moved from “Don’t shame people for things they cant control”, which I fully agree with, to “Don’t criticize people for anything, even if they are actively making bad choices.”
If there is someone who has decided to live in complete mediocrity, with no intention of contributing to the world, society or even their own health, why should they be given the same privileges as those who are out there doing the ground work, trying to make things better? Isn’t it just another form of nepotism? Not blood nepotism, but "species nepotism.”
Think of a dog, a dog does nothing for society, it eats, sleeps, and barks. It’s loved, but it has no responsibilities, no obligations, it lives freely under the care of humans. Now think about that person we discussed earlier, they also do nothing for society, they eat, sleep, shout (on social media, at least), and contribute nothing. And yet, ask for all the privileges of being a human ie. healthcare, protection, rights, voice, influence, and everything else. Tell me, other than Species Membership, what is the difference between them and the dog?
We do not like a CEO’s kid getting a job they did not earn, we are skeptic when a rich kid inherits a fortune they had no hand in building, but we do not blink twice when a person who refuses to lift a finger for themselves gets full human rights on a silver plate. If we hate nepotism so much, why do we tolerate it at the most basic level?
Now I know some of you will be thinking, but human rights are universal, they are sacred. Sure, that sounds kind and noble, but aren’t rights supposed to come with responsibilities? We say “freedom is not free”, we tell people that “with great powers comes great responsibilities”, so why are we so quick to give unconditional rights to people who are not even attempting to live up to the potential of being a human?'
So what should be done? Now, I am not suggesting to take away people’s rights, I am not saying to deny food, shelter or protection to anyone. I am just asking questions, are we rewarding laziness? are we as a society, encouraging mediocrity in the name of “kindness?”
The problem with kindness is that sometimes it becomes pampering, and excessive pampering is harmful. Have we as a society, forgotten how to survive? Have we made it so comfortable for people to do nothing that they have stopped trying at all? And more importantly, what will happen to the society when too many people will start opting for that path? The ones who contribute are too busy working to shout, the ones who contribute nothing have all the time in the world to scream. Its funny that I recalled the saying that, “So often, it’s the loudest voices you hear online, and they are rarely the ones building anything.”
Think by yourself, “are human rights a birthright or should they be earned” Should the privileges we all enjoy as humans be available to all, or only to those who take responsibility for themselves?
I am not suggesting cruelty, I am not suggesting to turn our backs on those in need, but I am suggesting that maybe, maybe, we have been a little too generous with our definition of “need.” If one is capable of doing something and chooses not to, should they be treated with the same dignity as the ones who are out there every day, doing the ground work?
I don’t know.
It’s uncomfortable, I know. But sometimes the truth is.