[Trigger Warning: This post discusses a distressing event].
Today, I've found myself grappling with an intense mix of frustration, disappointment, and anger that I've struggled to put into words after the incident that unfolded this morning... (See previous blog post). It serves as a stark reminder of how our society has in many ways lost touch with basic human decency.
In an age where technology has seamlessly intertwined with our lives, we have become mere spectators through the lens of our devices, observing events as detached observers. When a person found themselves in the midst of a struggle for survival, desperately fighting to stay afloat in the icy cold North sea, people stood by watching, others filming. I feel physically angry at the absence of empathy, watching someone drowning, hearing someone calling them a 'fucking dickhead' as others laughed. How have we reached a point where the value of empathy has diminished to such an extent? When did the desperation for clicks, likes, and online notoriety become more vital than human life?
Ten calls were made to the coastguard this morning. Whilst others watched, filmed, laughed, judged.. ten people took action to save a life.
In moments of crisis, our responsibility as human beings is clear helping others should be instinctual, not an afterthought. This incident begs us all to pause and ask ourselves some difficult questions. What would we have done in that moment? Would we have acted differently? Would we have take action to save a fellow human being?
We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to reaffirm that the value of a human life transcends any momentary thrill, attention-seeking desire, or viral sensation. We must strive to restore our collective faith in the power of humanity and reject this culture of passive bystanders.
Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, choosing compassion over apathy and recognising that sometimes, our most extraordinary moments are the ones that go entirely unnoticed - a private act of humanity, extending a lifeline, and restoring faith in the inherent goodness of people.
Today reminds me of one of my favourite quotes...
"I thought to myself someone should do something about this, I then realised. I am someone."
Thank goodness for the RNLI
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