Flee from the fiasco

Umpteenth time in the day, I confronted yet another headline on the internet talk about the blast in Boston. I see people express sentiments over Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp & bbm about how they feel sorry about what has happened in Boston. More than most of the population is showing concern about the unexpected casualty befallen in the US! - Why?

To an extent, yes, I feel sorry for the people there. But expressing such extensive grief is beyond my understanding. Perhaps, the only reason why I would feel sorry is that they acknowledge the value of human life. Whereas, our country has simply lost that sense.

To many out there, I'd sound biased; because I haven't been directly or even indirectly affected by the situation. But that isn't the case. I know my words are a product of a long history of frustration, resentment and anger. However, at the same time, I do realise that an eye for an eye can make the whole US world blind & thus, the ball remains within the US court.

Nonetheless, what is happening in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan cannot and should not be ignored. I'm not retaliating, because I know it would take me nowhere. For the Americans, a simple response to all this would be, as always, highlighting the 9/11 to justify against these activities. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem plausible all the time. 

My religious and ethnic sentiments are closely battling - hard to figure out which of the two is taking their toll. I also know that my emotions are spread to all ends instead of focusing in one direction. But reality be bitter too. It is true that as Pakistanis we depend on the US world for so many things, even as little as admiring Hollywood actors and choosing to go to the US for higher education or two months of vacation. Nevertheless, this series of ruthless events still does not justify.

Although Muslim is a religious label and does not pertain to race, the line between racism and religious discrimination is often blurred. It has been established that discrimination toward Muslim Americans was present before the attacks on September 11, which may relate to Islam being frequently portrayed by the media as intrinsically intolerant and violent. Therefore, parking blame over that one instance against these recurring tragedies is not an answer.

I am not justifying anything here. I am here, only to express my feelings as a Pakistani. Right now, there is anger, there is disgust coupled by a trace of helplessness that is running though my bones.

Before the youth of today energize themselves to take a step forward for Pakistan, it must be established whether we are to take a front seat as a nation or remain underdogs and suffer tyranny at the hands of the Americans. Over the last few decades, we are rolling in a mesh of plague and vex, coming out of which has become harder by the day.

As much as I feel for the victims of the blasts in Boston, my feelings for the innocent sufferers of my own country are times twenty billion. Despite virtue of humanity and benevolence, I have utterly failed to feel any worse about the Boston incident. I wish I could be bothered, just a little more than I am. 


I won't give up - Jason Mraz: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdN5GyTl8K0