Gays, Ahmadis, Child Abuse and other ilk.
We have over a million taboo words. These words are so severe that people get death threats, they get banned, ostracized, hated and judged (which is the most mildest).
Everyday I see several posts on social media. I have a diversified friends list and I like to keep it that way. It helps you see and think out of the box.
Having friends with the same thought process and background not only limits your exposure but your creativity, tolerance and acceptance as well.
After the Florida massacre where 50 homosexuals were gunned down by a homophobic ISIS sympathizer, my news-feed was inundated with several varying posts and comments. Some were supporting the homophobic attack in a way that they were undermining the gays and were of the view that they brought it upon themselves. While the others were supporting the homosexuals.
I usually refrain from such “taboo” words. But the devil in me wanted to see how people will react if I shared something of that ilk. I also wanted to see how does it feel to be associated to a group that is marginalized or to talk about a hush-hush topic. Being a sensitive person, I always sympathize with the marginalized.
So the curiosity and the sympathy prompted me to share a post that was supporting gays.
The comments were fabulous! People talked their hearts out. Anything straight from the heart is pure hence fabulous.
Some were appalled to see me sharing such a post. Few friends whatsapped me personally, while others openly commented on the post.
Few of them quoted from the Quran and gave huge sermons. It was like an online khutba only the “maulvi” wore shorts, flipflops and had a man-bun.
Some were under the impression that I was gay myself hence such a post. When I told them I was not and showed concern to the woes of the marginalized, they told me not to interfere in the matters that didn't concern me – not to talk about taboo topics.
My own sister condemned me for “taking panga” on social media and told me it was bad for my public image being a girl.
We live in a society where these very taboo topics have marred the social fabric. Where one is ridiculed, hated and judged if they talk about them. Thus we sweep them under the rug.
Take Udaari drama for instance. The creative Hum TV drama has been banned for spreading awareness about child-abuse. If we won't talk about it how will we solve such issues? A lot of people don't know about it or they turn a blind eye towards such issues. Why?
Just because they are too grotesque to talk about?
Why cant people discuss the atrocities done to Ahmadis, Shias, Christians and other minorities openly?
Why does Hamza Ali Abbasi get banned talking about the degree of intolerance towards these groups? Isn't peace and tolerance part of our faith?
Why can't religious scholars and TV hosts preach tolerance?
The gays, transgenders, rape victims are all part of our social fabric. Must we shun them away? Can a man amputate an arm and live happily? Why can't we all find common grounds and live without harming anyone? Why don't we value human life and human emotions?
In all honestly I have given no thought to gay rights because it didn't concern me. But then again none of us have given any thought to ignored child-abuse victims, to the the burnt Christians, to the butchered Ahmadis because it didnt concern us. And look where it has got us now.