Apathy is not the solution to the problems we face

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In various conversations, I’ve realised that there is a type of trend with people, particularly the young, who think that that their actions won’t amount to much, thus leading to general inaction when it comes to injustice that they witness.

I’m not too sure where this mentality comes from, but it’s proving to have serious consequences; the shockingly low voter turnout that we saw in the last election is just one, yet a significant example. Had the attitudes not been one of ‘it won’t make a difference’, it is possible that the situation in this country could be very different right now. The same goes for boycotting products and companies that use unethical methods.

But it’s not only about doing that one thing every three years. Action can literally be taken every day – all it really takes is for people to be conscious of injustice, which requires education.

A few weeks ago I was looking for a parking spot and the only mobility parking spot that was a around was taken by a company car. I called the number that was displayed on the car and told the kind lady the situation. She was incredibly apologetic and grateful that I told her before ensuring she would do something about it.

A week later I was getting on the bus, which usually involves the vulnerable person in a wheelchair being stampeded over by people who think that getting on the bus will get them home quicker (it doesn’t by the way). Just as this was about to happen, a young boy in a high school uniform blocked off all the people trying to push me out of the way until I got on the bus comfortably and safely.

Want to make the world a nicer place to live in? These are only two examples out of plenty from lived experience I have up my sleeve. Actions that we seem to think are insignificant can make more of a significant difference than we think, especially if everyone can make the frequent kind, considerate gesture. Just by witnesses seeing that one person help me on to the bus, it’s highly likely that they would have realised how difficult it is for people in wheelchairs on public transport, which would lead them to be more considerate in the future. The sooner the mass public realise that it isn’t all about grand gestures, the better.

3 COMMENTS

  1. @ Latifa Daud . I read your Post as if it were a metaphor for the bleak machinery of neo liberalism .
    Neo Liberalism trades heavily on apathy . In fact apathy is the most powerful weapon in its arsenal . When the Unions were deregulated , the off-shoot of that was apathy born out of frustration . Chillingly , they knew that . They knew that once the Trade Union movement was deregulated Union members , motivated to strike if conditions were less than favourable , would become frustrated by their lack of the ability to have some control of their work environment … Thus apathy .
    Apathy is as a result of a lack of hope . When one loses hope , one can’t be arsed .
    When you wrote about how a school boy helped you onto the bus ? You described a leader . He thought for himself and his motivation was to help you for no financial reward . His reward was that by helping you , that made him feel good and the feel good spread to you and I’m sure others watching . Remember , the opposite spreads as easily .
    Which brings me to another clue hidden within your metaphor / Post .
    Selfish , random behaviour , such as the negative random behaviour we see everyday in NZ , and is on the increase is as a consequence of us being left to our own devices . Sure , we have the police to pretend they have control of a population in free fall , and as we , the population fall we like to believe we’re going to be ok . We’re not going to be ok .
    Please let me apologise if I seem condescending but what you’re perhaps unwittingly drawning attention to is that we New Zealander/Aotearoans are Leaderless . We have no school boy helping us onto the bus .

    We do have a ‘ man ‘ who has degrees from Universities which show he was trained him in ways that most of us have no idea about . And no wonder . I have several University texts on Corporate Infrastructure and marketing strategies by various authors and they’re bewildering for their complexities and abstractions . They are literally written in another language and unless you have significant training and are [ motivated ] enough to go to the trouble of understanding them , then you will be out manoeuvred , out flanked and disadvantaged without being even vaguely aware of what’s happening to you . All you will see is the collateral damage being done . Like 280 k hungry kids , highest rates of incarceration etc etc .
    The people who park in disabled persons car parks are a favourite of mine . I have a quadriplegic friend and he’s a sweet heart who wouldn’t hurt a fly . He’d chop jonky’s head off with an axe if he could but he’d not harm a wee beastie .
    He often finds people parking in the disabled parks . He said when they’re confronted he usually finds that a passenger will ‘ just pop in ‘ while the driver waits in the car .
    What’s really happening is that they just don’t care . They don’t care who sees them , they don’t care if they inconvenience disabled people . They don’t care if they cause outrage in those more evolved souls who look on . They are the neo New Zealander . The dysfunctional bi product of a sick society .
    It’s comforting that you care Latifa . x

  2. Good on you to raise all this, Latifa, you deserve much credit for writing here, about stuff too many do not give much thought about!

  3. It is hard to find ways of engaging young adults in social matters – and you’re right, it starts with education. I would love to see civil education included in our schools curriculum, as I have witnessed in others (and even myself), one only starts to engage and care about what is happening in our society and politics, when one has experienced an injustice – or witnessed an injustice. It is this that triggers them to think – is this right? how can I go about change? and this is what fights off the heavy cloak of apathy. But we can’t wait around for students and young adults to have these experiences, we need to be educated about how our society ‘works’ at secondary school – then the conversation can really start!
    Thanks for your post Latifa, we need more people around like the switched on school boy!

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