Thoughts on {insert crisis}
By Sahithi Siri
I don’t get the world. I really don’t. I don’t understand why some people think that caring about things happening outside their circle is an inconvenience.
In the last few months I’ve heard things like, “We already have enough problems to deal with, why bother worrying about something happening in Palestine?” Okay let me ask you, ‘’Why shouldn’t I worry about Palestine?’’
Just because it's far away doesn't mean it's not real. The pain, the loss, the suffering— it’s happening right now, whether you choose to see it or not. You don’t have to be physically there to be affected or to make a difference. If it's possible for someone who is far away to experience such devastation and injustice, it could happen to any of us, because we are all connected as people. No one is truly immune to these forces, which is why we must recognize the shared vulnerabilities we face and work together for change.
Sometimes, my own friends tell me, “If you care so much, go there and do something!”
It feels like a slap on the face. I don’t need to be physically there to care. We live in a connected world where distance is irrelevant. I care because I’m human, and caring about other humans is not a burden, it’s a responsibility. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to be in Palestine to support those who are suffering. If that logic held, we’d never help anyone outside our own homes. We’d never donate to causes, sign petitions, lend money to a friend or speak up against injustices. You don’t need to be a firefighter to care about a burning house, right?
And then there's this gem: “Why are you disturbing my Instagram feed with these genocide stories? Stop spamming me!” You call it spamming, I call it reality. And reality can be brutal. Trust me, it’s not easy for me to see either. Watching these stories, reading about the atrocities—it’s taking a toll on my mental health too. It feels like the weight of the world is sitting on my chest, and yet, I can’t look away. Because looking away feels like giving up on humanity. Does it bother you to see people suffering on your feed? Good. It should. You should feel uncomfortable when innocent people are dying, when entire families are being wiped out. And if you’re not feeling uncomfortable then maybe ask yourself: Why aren’t you?
I don’t get the world. I really don’t. Here are some of the questions I think about every day:
Why are we so quick to label people who care as “overreacting” or “too sensitive”?
Why do we prioritize our comfort over the survival of others?
Why do I get angry when others don’t care?
Why I’m I so done with my own networks and extended family and friends? Why does their silence and apathy make me so angry?
I get it—I wasn’t always like this either. I didn’t know about everything happening around the world. I didn’t care, at least not deeply. It was easy to brush it off, to say, “It’s not my problem” or “I have enough to deal with.”
I used to be one of those people who could scroll past stories of war, injustice, and suffering without giving it a second thought. I’d think, “What difference can I make?” or “That’s too far away for me to even understand.” I convinced myself that staying in my own bubble was okay. The world is structured in a way that compels you to follow along, even when, deep down, you sense there’s something fundamentally wrong with how people behave so hypocritically. Even though we know it’s wrong, the world can make it hard to do what feels right.
But now that I’ve started paying attention—really paying attention—I can’t unsee it. I can’t un-feel the pain of knowing what’s happening, and I can’t understand how I ever ignored it in the first place. It’s not that I’ve suddenly become some all-knowing, perfectly empathetic person. I only recognize that there's a lot more to understand about our history.
And now, it’s consuming me—because once you open your eyes to the world’s realities, it’s impossible to look away. But isn’t that the point? Isn’t it time for all of us to stop pretending we don’t see? I was ignorant once too, but that doesn’t have to be forever.
Yes, I understand—you’re busy. You have your own struggles, your own worries, and a lot to deal with in your life. I get it, truly. But that doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye to what’s happening in the world. You don’t have to drop everything or become an activist overnight, but consider this: even a small spark of empathy can make a difference. Try to understand the weight of what’s happening, even if it feels far away. Take a moment to reflect, to feel, and to care. Because raising your voice, even just a little, adds to the voices that won’t let injustice be ignored.
Your life matters—but so do theirs. Let’s not forget that.
