On Caring
It begins with acknowledging a problem. Pick one. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands. And then, lament about the need for change. This is indisputable and absolutely necessary if we want a better world. This is when things take a turn.
The other day, I was engaged in a discussion with a student of mine about how companies should be more considerate of mental health. I, being an optimist, argued that mental health should be a priority as well as valuing employees as individuals, rather than faceless cogs in a system. After a long-winded rant on my part, he scoffed.
“No one cares,” he said.
His words bounced around my head, echoing loudly before fading away. I didn’t want to believe him. I don’t like the idea of living in a world where he is right. No one does care. But then, I noticed a pattern. It begins with acknowledging a problem. Pick one. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands. And then, lament about the need for change. This is indisputable and absolutely necessary if we want a better world. This is when things take a turn. Sure, you want a better world but “no one cares” so what’s the point in fighting for it? Well, don’t you care? This is what I don’t understand.
I hear people complaining and arguing for betterment. And yet, they’re absolutely paralyzed by supposedly rampant indifference. Well, there are plenty of people who blame external apathy for their inaction. But here’s the thing, if you care and you associate with people who care, then you’ve already disproven your claim. By holding on to the notion that there’s no use in acting on what you care about, we perpetuate a harmful cycle of thought. And if you actually want a better world, why are you just complaining about it? I’m not talking about one person taking on Atlas’ burden and attempting to carry the world all on their own. But surely, every person has a passion. There is at least one global issue that lives rent-free in a person’s head. Okay, so you don’t have money. So you don’t have a platform. You are one out of 7.753 billion people living on this planet. It’s about what you can do, no one else. Forget your friends, your family, your coworkers. It doesn’t matter that they don’t care if you do. I like to think passion is contagious. Dare to care and maybe, others will follow suit. Or not. Either way, that’s not your problem.
The point of caring, of trying to be better is not to go to war for your cause with an army behind you. Sure, the numbers are great. But nothing changes when people resolve to do nothing because that’s what everyone else is doing. I will remind you of a question I’m sure you’re familiar with. If everyone else was jumping off of a bridge, would you? No? So, why lay down when everyone else is? As I see it, with this trajectory, it won’t be war or bigotry that ends the world. Instead, it will be apathy. If you want things to be different, do something. The more people act on caring, the less validity this argument has. Don’t wait for a leader to rise from the ranks and rouse a revolution. Start your own revolution. It’s okay to start small. Use what you have: your voice, your hands, your time, your work. Maybe only a handful of people witness it, maybe it only impacts your neighborhood. But if you care, don’t ignore that. It’s something to hold onto. Stoke the flame. Set the world ablaze. It needs it.