Is it okay to tune out?
“I don’t listen to the news anymore,” Sally said, as she was shampooing the hair of the woman right nearby. “I watch my shows and that’s that.”
“Oh, I’m the same way,” agreed the woman who was the recipient of that shampooing.
I was sitting there in the hair salon awaiting my shampoo from someone other than Sally. Hm, I thought. I can see taking a break from all the heartache that is the news lately. But is it okay to just tune out? Watch your Netflix shows?
Is it okay that a deranged lunatic has started a war with Iran, thereby igniting a worldwide horror show with the possible dissolution of NATO?
Is it okay that Renee Nicole Good (and Alex Pretti) was murdered in cold blood with a pretty clear video that incriminates the ICE agent? Is it okay that US citizens are treated like garbage and assaulted by masked thugs who seem to be given total immunity?
Is it okay that he says that he’s glad Robert Mueller died, a man with a life of service, a marine, a lawyer, former FBI Director? Or that he mocked Rob Reiner after his tragic death because he was not a supporter? No decent human being does that, let alone a man who holds the highest office. How are we ever getting back to civility and decorum?
Is it okay that … The list goes on and on.
* ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Did they watch their shows in Nazi Germany?
A narcissistic, cruel man is creating disaster where there was none. And Sally and her client are watching their shows.
No, none of those things are okay. Yes, sometimes you need a break. I read the NY Times, I can pace myself, read when I want without ignoring what's going on. I think the tide is turning, so maybe we can hope?
ReplyDeleteSally’s is the voice of white privilege. It is not okay for white folk to tune out because white people are responsible for this shits show. Take a break but get back in and fight. None of the things that orange buffoon says or does are okay. I think we must call out people when they say they tune out. I tell them politics is up in their business whether they like it or not. And for women to tune out infuriates me. When we visited Dachau in 2019 the most shocking revelation was learning how many in the town said they didn’t know what was going on. We have millions who watch Fox and consequently are clueless. It is incumbent upon us to educate them.
ReplyDeleteYou ask the right questions in this slice. Tuning out may not be the answer. Being in the know and not losing your sanity is the fine balance.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post. I ease it is to ignore and be ignorant while at the salon. The juxtaposition is perfect. I don't know if you actually want an answer -- I feel that this is a rhetorical to you as you clearly do pay attention, and stress and worry, about world issues, and then are wondering out loud how people can just ignore. I wonder if they really do ignore what is happening, or are they just afraid to have a conversation in case they offend someone?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely understand why people need to take a break and why they may curate their sources carefully but not to pay any attention is to be part of the problem. Thank you for making the point so powerfully. Too many people said they didn't know...didn't know?! We can choose to ignore, but that is a choice with consequences, I fear.
ReplyDelete