Why is the media so obsessed with death and dying? We all know it’s inevitable. Recently I had a pleasure of meeting one “young” lady who faced inevitable death, sooner rather than later and her family, instead of making the transition as comfortable as possible, created such an uproar which only exposed their denial, and transformed what should have been peaceful time for their relative into a rather confusing,embarrassing, frightening and selfish time.
Death is clearly not to be rushed or encouraged, it will happen, I believe in destiny, and whilst I don’t fear death , I fear knowing when where and how, I will meet my demise .
Why am I being so morbid? Blame the media, the world in which we live, the place where I work and the folks I interact with ever so often. Lately news of murder/ suicide have become the norm and it no longer elicit the OMG response, hence we have become immune to news of these victims/perpetrators especially when it involves innocent young lives, who aren’t even old enough to grasp the concept of life.
Today as I read an online local newspaper, I realize that the pandemic has reached my native island, and I’m not even discussing the Swine flu, that’s for another blog. I’m referring to a Jamaican mother 43, stabbing her 23 yr old son to death. I can never rationalize a mother, physically nurturing her fetus for 9 months, enduring or experiencing the pain/joys of birth, and 20 years later, whether provoked or unprovoked decides to end the life she carried.
Blame it on the media….. a mother in the US packs her 2 kids in the car, then drives to bridge and toss both her son and daughter over, unfortunately fatally for her son. Husbands/Fathers killing their wives and kids. Former Ex-President jumping to his death. Doctor and wife indicted on fraud charges found dead (suicide)……. As a result we assume the “newscasters personality”, trying to emotionally detach ourselves from reality, and instead become apathetic and robot like. I learnt yesterday that my friend’s mom died, and I’m yet to find the appropriate words to say to her. I fear that I have also become desensitized and maybe I too should blame it on the media.
When will we utilize our peripheral vision, instead of our tunneled black or white vision so evident in our everyday conversations? What happened to the rainbow after the rain? Where is the hope? Why all the gloom and doom, and friends giving up on life because of being hurt one time too many.
Contrary to what the media may portray, suicide/murder is never a resolution, and should not even be an option. I know people are hurting, I know friends/families have been major disappointments, but reach beyond the hurt and see the flicker of light. There is hope. Once heard of a patient who attempted suicide by swallowing “long-life” batteries.. not sure what to make of that one, but I’m sure he had a chuckle after the fact.
Are we willing to make a difference in our jobs/homes/lives and enjoy the domino effect or should we continue to blame it on the media?
Revival
1 year ago
