Since it was launched, on 31st
March 2017, Netflix’s original series created a lot of buzz around the globe.
More often for the bad influence than the good ones. There have been countless
reports in the media of how someone tried to imitate what was shown in the
series. Various orders/disclaimers were issued to warn parents not to watch
this with their children. Schools were issuing notices to their students asking
them to watch it as any other fiction. So much was the backlash on the series
that Netflix had to release a statement, “While many of our members find the
show to be a valuable driver for starting an important conversation with their
families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should
carry additional advisories. Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer
warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to
start the series.”
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| Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker in 13 Reasons Why... |
Now, take a step back, to get the
entire picture of what is happening here. As a society, we have evolved over
years to ward of the ‘evil spirits’ and to avert our eyes when faced with a
real problem. The series, based on a book of the same name by Jay Usher, paints
a vivid picture of the world that we live in. A world which accepted that
‘Bullying’ someone is detrimental, but it continued with it anyways. Now, there
are several laws in various countries against bullying. However, it is
understood that like any other important matter, laws were made but never
followed. And slowly we decided to not talk about it when it happens.
Before we go any further, let us
quickly understand what bullying is. According to Oxford dictionary, ‘bullying
is an act by a person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate
those who are weaker.’ I know after reading this definition, you must be
trying to wrap your head around the fact that you have been surrounded by
bullies all your life. Someone who tried to pull you down. Someone who may have
called you names. Someone who spread a rumor
about you. Isn’t it?
It is natural. I did the same
thing. What came next was even more horrifying. It was when my gaze fell upon
me after looking at everybody else. Every single time, when I bullied someone,
came rushing back. Now, you will say that you were never that person. That you
never bullied anybody. Well look closely. All those times when you thought, you
were being friendly or hilarious or you trying to fit in, you became a part of
that dark race of bullies.
If it is difficult even now,
probably these 13 points will help you remember better:
- When you called your friends not by their real names but by a word which was pasted on them by someone.
- When you lend ears to a gossip about any of your colleagues or friends.
- When you called out your brothers/sisters not by their names/nicknames, but some cuss words, even during a fight.
- When you looked down upon someone because they were wearing something you didn’t find very fashionable or appealing.
- When you tried to browbeat someone in to doing your will.
- When you laughed at somebody’s gait.
- When you made fun of someone’s accent.
- When you cornered someone based on the region they belonged to or their caste.
- When you pushed a junior too much at your workplace.
- When you asked your child to eat or else some imaginary horrible person will come to snatch their food.
- When you stopped your spouse/GF/BF from talking to someone because you weren’t feeling safe.
- When you were honking unnecessarily on the road because you felt like it.
- When you shouted at someone crossing the road because you were in a hurry.
Probably, after reading these
points, you’ll think that this is not bullying. It is so common and natural.
You are correct. Bullying has become casual and natural. It is part of our life
that we keep ignoring as being a jolly thing. To loosen the mould. For you that
may be true. Now imagine a person who has low self-confidence and/or is
fighting with an emotional setback. Behaviour like this will push him over the
edge. Unknowingly you might be pushing someone to commit a horrible act.
So, next time, when you are
amongst a gathering of your friends or colleagues, think twice before you go
for that easy joke on someone.
Take care!
