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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t specifically said this as a response to anyone and I am not on social media so don’t post things like this, but if someone asked me how I am today, I am not OK. I am physically fine but I am watching footage of terrorists kill and rape people who are friends of my friends and family. I do not feel fine. I’m not jumping on any bandwagon, it is how I am feeling

didn't op specifically say unless it's your friends and family?
op I agree I see this all the time and it's - not sure what the name is but - people making it about themselves. It feels icky to me not because i don't doubt they are sad but because it's like - you are not the one this is happening to so one should keep the spotlight there.

It’s because use you lack empathy. That’s the ick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t specifically said this as a response to anyone and I am not on social media so don’t post things like this, but if someone asked me how I am today, I am not OK. I am physically fine but I am watching footage of terrorists kill and rape people who are friends of my friends and family. I do not feel fine. I’m not jumping on any bandwagon, it is how I am feeling

didn't op specifically say unless it's your friends and family?
op I agree I see this all the time and it's - not sure what the name is but - people making it about themselves. It feels icky to me not because i don't doubt they are sad but because it's like - you are not the one this is happening to so one should keep the spotlight there.

But I said it was friends OF my friends and family. Very fortunate that my friends and family are so far alive and unhurt. Maybe it matters to you and others when/where it is said. Within my community, most people are in my position, which means we all know that we are much much more OK than our friends and family actually in Israel. We are all supporting each other and we all know that we are also “not ok”. To the outside world, who have even less connection to this than we do, I think the point of people saying they are not ok and sharing more details is to explain to others that it is impacting them, and by extension, that Hamas’s actions (in this particular case) have an impact outside of the immediate circle of people who have been murdered and attacked.
In other words, I don’t think when people say they are not ok they are trying to divert sympathy to themselves. They are trying to bring awareness to the general issue and the impact it has

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t specifically said this as a response to anyone and I am not on social media so don’t post things like this, but if someone asked me how I am today, I am not OK. I am physically fine but I am watching footage of terrorists kill and rape people who are friends of my friends and family. I do not feel fine. I’m not jumping on any bandwagon, it is how I am feeling

didn't op specifically say unless it's your friends and family?
op I agree I see this all the time and it's - not sure what the name is but - people making it about themselves. It feels icky to me not because i don't doubt they are sad but because it's like - you are not the one this is happening to so one should keep the spotlight there.

Except it is about us. We're just lucky enough to not be there right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t specifically said this as a response to anyone and I am not on social media so don’t post things like this, but if someone asked me how I am today, I am not OK. I am physically fine but I am watching footage of terrorists kill and rape people who are friends of my friends and family. I do not feel fine. I’m not jumping on any bandwagon, it is how I am feeling

didn't op specifically say unless it's your friends and family?
op I agree I see this all the time and it's - not sure what the name is but - people making it about themselves. It feels icky to me not because i don't doubt they are sad but because it's like - you are not the one this is happening to so one should keep the spotlight there.

+1
well said

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t specifically said this as a response to anyone and I am not on social media so don’t post things like this, but if someone asked me how I am today, I am not OK. I am physically fine but I am watching footage of terrorists kill and rape people who are friends of my friends and family. I do not feel fine. I’m not jumping on any bandwagon, it is how I am feeling

didn't op specifically say unless it's your friends and family?
op I agree I see this all the time and it's - not sure what the name is but - people making it about themselves. It feels icky to me not because i don't doubt they are sad but because it's like - you are not the one this is happening to so one should keep the spotlight there.

You don't get. It's not that we're sad. We are SCARED.

[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'm okay with people not being okay, but let's not make everyone pick a side. Let's be allowed to listen and learn and not jump to a conclusion.

[Anonymous]

I thought it meant as in the whole human race. Us. We are screwed and happily repeating messed-up cycles in many different ways.

[Anonymous]

I can say with certainty that I am not okay with what happened in Israel. What would be better OP? I have been crying for the past three days and I am worried sick about my family in Israel. Is that better or am I not allowed to say that either because it bothers you? Or do you think I am jumping on the band wagon? I would bet that most Jews are not ok. You are the outlier and posting what you have posted is incredibly hurtful and disloyal.

[Anonymous]

Whenever I see "not ok" posts it's usually in regards to violent crimes happening and surging in the news. Police killings of black people, Asian hate, LGBTQ losing rights, now Jews being killed by terrorists. And all of the people saying this are saying it because on some level they fear for their own safety (I mean I'm not even Jewish and I'm wondering if we'll see an uptick in terrorism on US soil) or are closely linked emotionally to those being marginalized/attacked. Either way, if I see it and it's a friend, it doesn't matter to me if they're personally privileged or not - a friend checks in because they care, and it's a cry for help.

[Anonymous]

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

+1,000

[Anonymous]

I’m not Jewish but I am a mother and I do not feel ok today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whenever I see "not ok" posts it's usually in regards to violent crimes happening and surging in the news. Police killings of black people, Asian hate, LGBTQ losing rights, now Jews being killed by terrorists. And all of the people saying this are saying it because on some level they fear for their own safety (I mean I'm not even Jewish and I'm wondering if we'll see an uptick in terrorism on US soil) or are closely linked emotionally to those being marginalized/attacked. Either way, if I see it and it's a friend, it doesn't matter to me if they're personally privileged or not - a friend checks in because they care, and it's a cry for help.

Very well said, especially the bolded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not Jewish but I am a mother and I do not feel ok today.

This. Infants were beheaded. Children were kidnapped and some killed. Parents have spent days trying to find out out whether or not their kidnapped children were just raped, or raped and killed. Many mothers around the world feel "not ok" right now.

[Anonymous]

We as a group. As a community.

People have gotten so self centered and lacking of empathy these days. But if you consider yourself part of the Jewish community this one hurts. We were raised surrounded by Holocaust survivors and discussions about Israel, and knowing we were part of a group who is different. So we are a community in this case - not an individual.

If you grew up in, and still consider yourself a part of the community, you've gained friends who are in or closely connected to Israel. It's hard to separate yourself from the community when there are so many ties.

[Anonymous]

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

+1

I know Jewish people struggling with worry over friends and family there AND worry about increased anti-Semitism around the world. I know Muslim people struggling with worry over friends and family there AND worry about increased anti-Muslim attitudes and policies around the world. They are NOT okay.