Many of my friends over the years have been men and I consider myself extremely fortunate for this. Never thought about it in great detail, but it's probably because they are all simple, down-to-earth, kind and genuine people, and very importantly respect women.
The past week has been very difficult - first with the news of the shooting of kids in the US and then the bone-chilling case of the Delhi girl. Upset and angry, I wonder what makes a certain kind of men do this heinous crime. People are right - it's about being sick in the mind - there is no other explanation, for the targets can be a 2-month baby to an 80-year-old woman. There can just be no words to explain it. It's chilling to say the least. Everyone is upset, and understandably so.
The person who was travelling in the bus with the girl was also a man and he tried to save her and was seriously injured. Earlier this year, two men in Mumbai were killed when they tried to protect their female friend. There are many cases from this year alone when men, fathers and brothers have faced the brunt of these sick minds.
I'm no feminist, I am conservative in some ways and not in others. All I believe in is equality and respect for all. It's as simple as that for me and my mind does not accept why some people are allowed to do certain things whereas others can't. If that is feminism, so be it. I'm proud of my beliefs.
For me, objectification of women can be tackled through a simple word called respect. It's not difficult. If you respect your fellow human beings, you will obviously make a difference. But I understand that the change cannot come about in one day. Roles have been defined for centuries and it takes a lot of courage to change them.
That's why I want to say a big thank you to all the boys and men I have known over the years - because it is parents and men in particular who can educate others about respect for women. In this respect, a bigger thank you to the parents of all my male friends! The credit goes to you.
No law can be all-pervasive and you cannot have a policeman to follow you everywhere. True, there will always be a few monsters everywhere and no police in the world can prevent all crimes, but what you teach
and preach, especially to your children, will go a long way. And hopefully, slowly but surely, our efforts will bring about positive behavioural changes.
One of my favourite lines from The Shawshank Redemption -- Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
We live in hope.
The past week has been very difficult - first with the news of the shooting of kids in the US and then the bone-chilling case of the Delhi girl. Upset and angry, I wonder what makes a certain kind of men do this heinous crime. People are right - it's about being sick in the mind - there is no other explanation, for the targets can be a 2-month baby to an 80-year-old woman. There can just be no words to explain it. It's chilling to say the least. Everyone is upset, and understandably so.
The person who was travelling in the bus with the girl was also a man and he tried to save her and was seriously injured. Earlier this year, two men in Mumbai were killed when they tried to protect their female friend. There are many cases from this year alone when men, fathers and brothers have faced the brunt of these sick minds.
I'm no feminist, I am conservative in some ways and not in others. All I believe in is equality and respect for all. It's as simple as that for me and my mind does not accept why some people are allowed to do certain things whereas others can't. If that is feminism, so be it. I'm proud of my beliefs.
For me, objectification of women can be tackled through a simple word called respect. It's not difficult. If you respect your fellow human beings, you will obviously make a difference. But I understand that the change cannot come about in one day. Roles have been defined for centuries and it takes a lot of courage to change them.
That's why I want to say a big thank you to all the boys and men I have known over the years - because it is parents and men in particular who can educate others about respect for women. In this respect, a bigger thank you to the parents of all my male friends! The credit goes to you.
No law can be all-pervasive and you cannot have a policeman to follow you everywhere. True, there will always be a few monsters everywhere and no police in the world can prevent all crimes, but what you teach
and preach, especially to your children, will go a long way. And hopefully, slowly but surely, our efforts will bring about positive behavioural changes.
One of my favourite lines from The Shawshank Redemption -- Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
We live in hope.
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