As a human being fortunate enough to painfully observe, and not be victim to, the atrocities ongoing in our world today, I've noticed a tech-based trend when it comes to caring. Social media has played a triumphant role in magnifying what bothers its users -- us, the younger generation. This "bother", however, doesn't appear to have any kind of long-term consistency. Why is that?
Why have we collectively moved our online concerns for humanity to Gaza? Syria's still in conflict. The kidnapped Nigerian girls are still missing. Congo's death toll in years and years of violence surpasses a number of holocausts. Detroit was recently declared bankrupt. Chicago is a war zone of gun-ridden crime. Instability remains in Afghanistan. And Libya. Bombs are still over Baghdad. And Kenya. Put short, why is our humanitarianism so geographically focused? Rather than all-encompassing? At least when it comes to the Internet?
The latest "headline" tragedy is between Israel and Palestine. Innocent children have died before our eyes -- again. Innocent children are caught in the conflicts of war all the time, and everywhere. What can we really do about this? How can we sustain and combine our care?
The Internet, social media and mass mobilized movements have not only defiantly displayed our ability to care, but also, that we can act upon it. Colombia's stand against FARC, the Arab Spring, the Occupy Movement and more are all examples of organized resistance against those who are allegedly responsible for discrepancy and discontent amongst their populations.
When it comes to war, have we truly organized ourselves beyond the sporadic stunts of protests and popular retweets? Have we considered targeting armies, perhaps? Have we asked why those who want us to fight, aren't also fighting alongside us?
Why haven't we called for more disarmament programs? Why haven't we considered boycotting war? Why must we fight? Have we not evolved enough as a human civilization to consider an exchange of words instead? Can't we just argue it out? Why don't we consider advocating for programs in rehabilitating former soldiers into societies more? Why not conceptualize and maintain a sustained message focused on stern and solid pledges to avoid global violence? Surely that would actually help children -- internationally -- currently suffering the consequences of war?
Why don't we ask more questions, more often, and more consistently? Like, where do these weapons come from in the first place? Who makes them? Where does the money come from to buy them? Why don't we mobilize and champion the existing unions, charities, programs and individuals steady on their solution-based missions in witnessing world peace? What are we really doing with social media? What are we genuinely doing with content? How poignant is our effectivity? Are we really, truly and honestly, being as helpful and as united as we possibly can?
With my deepest sincerity, I believe in the power of our voice, and salute the active change-makers so vehemently engaged in positively utilizing their societal microphones. So much so, that I have dedicated my life to harnessing, educating and championing young voices across the Middle East, and the world. Na3m Games isn't just a force in heritage entertainment, it's a platform for expression, a legitimate stand to present and defend a new system of core values, focused on positive development.
As young people, we dominate the planet. The Middle East and Africa is heaving with entire populations under the age of 35, and we are developing. We're on a brand new and refreshingly changing (often alarming!) path of new values, entrepreneurship, information exchange, and tolerance. War is an attack on this development -- on our development. We are no longer removed from the consequences of global conflict. We must accept that the questions I am posing are for our generation to answer.
Today it's GAZA, tomorrow it's you. GAZA is you. It's us. What would you want your counterparts to do if your development was directly attacked? Tweet? Retweet? Post a picture of "concern" on Instagram? Start a "commenting" frenzy? Please. Let's think again, re-align the wheel, redirect our contribution, organize our power and our values, together.