When people say ‘we are not ok’ in response to news events

[Anonymous]

This really bothers me and I see it happen so much when events befall a group or race and then other members of the group say ‘we are not ok’.
I’m a Jew and events of the last few days are awful. But I, personally, am ok. I haven’t lost family and I’m not kidnapped and I haven’t lost my home.
It just feels like trying to jump on a bandwagon and make it all about yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This really bothers me and I see it happen so much when events befall a group or race and then other members of the group say ‘we are not ok’.
I’m a Jew and events of the last few days are awful. But I, personally, am ok. I haven’t lost family and I’m not kidnapped and I haven’t lost my home.
It just feels like trying to jump on a bandwagon and make it all about yourself.

Most of my Jewish friends saying this do have relatives in Israel.

[Anonymous]

I do not say it, but interpret it to mean that people are empathetic to the cause. You seem harsh OP.

[Anonymous]

I too am curious what people who say this need as a response. I'm empathetic but beyond that what can I do?

[Anonymous]

Oooookay.

[Anonymous]

Killing civilians is never OK. Whether it is a drone strike from your favorite nation or militants flying in on paragliders doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This really bothers me and I see it happen so much when events befall a group or race and then other members of the group say ‘we are not ok’.
I’m a Jew and events of the last few days are awful. But I, personally, am ok. I haven’t lost family and I’m not kidnapped and I haven’t lost my home.
It just feels like trying to jump on a bandwagon and make it all about yourself.

I totally agree. Part of it is just it’s now such a cliche. Like telling people to check their privilege or something. I can’t take people seriously who say things like this. I’ve seen plenty of heartfelt posts in one’s own words and I empathize with that though.

[Anonymous]

It’s the memeification of all communication. A large portion of people think they need to include these snazzy little sayings into common interactions.

[Anonymous]

I see similar behavior on Palestinian side as well. Just because its not your loved ones, it doesn't mean you can't feel the pain. You feel it more when people suffering are your own race, religion, nationality, age, gender etc but you can feel it for people on the other side of the conflict or just for random people's suffering. All humans want and deserve protection and prosperity for their families. We shouldn't have to be scared of each other.

There is one good thing about us humans, we can feel pain of other humans. Suffering and fear of it is bad and each one of us knows that, don't have to personally get shot or develop cancer to know what it entails.

May we feel enough to end all injustices we can and find solutions to all disputes we can. If you kill one man, its like you've killed all humanity. Live, let live. Share, bare and care. Life is precious, don't waste it to subdue others, use it to lift others up.

[Anonymous]

I agree it seems like the “In” thing to say, and it irks me a little, but I think what they’re trying to say is: this is real, this is affecting many of us, and don’t look away. Sadly, we get so desensitized to everything going on in the world that it’s easy for us to just scroll, send thoughts and prayers and look away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see similar behavior on Palestinian side as well. Just because its not your loved ones, it doesn't mean you can't feel the pain. You feel it more when people suffering are your own race, religion, nationality, age, gender etc but you can feel it for people on the other side of the conflict or just for random people's suffering. All humans want and deserve protection and prosperity for their families. We shouldn't have to be scared of each other.

There is one good thing about us humans, we can feel pain of other humans. Suffering and fear of it is bad and each one of us knows that, don't have to personally get shot or develop cancer to know what it entails.

May we feel enough to end all injustices we can and find solutions to all disputes we can. If you kill one man, its like you've killed all humanity. Live, let live. Share, bare and care. Life is precious, don't waste it to subdue others, use it to lift others up.

These are the kind of banal phrases the OP is referencing.

[Anonymous]

Compassion. Empathy. We are all one. Etc.

I recognize these traits and notions are rare in the DC area!

[Anonymous]

People on both sides of any conflict can easily get taken over by extremists, no matter they wear a suit and sit in presidential office or lead resistance from trenches. When evil people take over, they try to justify all evil to win and people who have no other hope, start seeing them as their leaders and saviors.

[Anonymous]

I have nothing against people saying it. However, while I would offer support or bring up the issue with Jewish friends, I am not going to raise it with coworkers/people I know less well, regardless of whether they are ok. It just isn't the relationship I have with them, or appropriate for me to be the one to raise first with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see similar behavior on Palestinian side as well. Just because its not your loved ones, it doesn't mean you can't feel the pain. You feel it more when people suffering are your own race, religion, nationality, age, gender etc but you can feel it for people on the other side of the conflict or just for random people's suffering. All humans want and deserve protection and prosperity for their families. We shouldn't have to be scared of each other.

There is one good thing about us humans, we can feel pain of other humans. Suffering and fear of it is bad and each one of us knows that, don't have to personally get shot or develop cancer to know what it entails.

May we feel enough to end all injustices we can and find solutions to all disputes we can. If you kill one man, its like you've killed all humanity. Live, let live. Share, bare and care. Life is precious, don't waste it to subdue others, use it to lift others up.

These are the kind of banal phrases the OP is referencing.

That's the problem because these banal basics ARE what we need.