Mamais: Don't let our youth become desensitized to human conflict

Horrible images of devastation in the Middle East flood our social media. We must help young people empathize with the innocent victims.

Published Oct 25, 2023 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 3 minute read

A woman in Tel Aviv looks at a wall bearing the portraits of those kidnapped during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israsel. Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI /AFP via Getty Images

Tragically, we are here — at the point Noam Chomsky warned about: ”the most dangerous point in human history.”

Since the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, my heart has remained in pieces. That there are people in this world who can so callously destroy human life is something I thought was reserved for the most traumatic of horror films … and yet, like the war In Ukraine, these atrocities are real and have flooded social media.

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With one swipe, images of dead bodies; in the next, someone sharing news of their children’s hockey game win. The world we are living in now seems lost and I am not sure there is any coming back from this. But we must not allow social media’s coverage of this war to infiltrate, misinform and desensitize our youth.

You see, in my youth, I remember being able to feel an existential empathy for people. I wanted to make people feel better if I knew they were hurting, lonely or in any pain. This, I thought, was a common human trait. Growing up has taught me a harsh reality: empathy is not a natural human trait. But can it be taught?

I’ve had many discussions with students about the Hamas terrorist attacks on innocent civilians, and people are in pain. In retaliation to that attack, many people were devastated to learn about innocent Palestinians living in Gaza being killed. Innocent human lives on both sides lost, gone. There were no winners here, only devastation.

This is a time where no matter what our age, we must engage and be there for one another. We must be there for our Jewish friends, for our Palestinian friends and all those in need. We must remember that in the end the only thing that is sustainable in this world is the power of love.

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The infamous “us versus them” mentality that floods our narratives is in fact poison that creates and breeds hatred. Hatred for human beings, for their religion, their political beliefs, their sexual orientation, their race, their culture — the list goes on. In Canada, people can and do live harmoniously with one another, something for which I am grateful every day. These innocent victims in Israel and innocent Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip are victims of the Hamas terrorist attacks. Where is the humanity?

What is happening is incomprehensible. But seeing it play out on social media is only going to create more divisiveness and hatred, something adults must wake up to. We must encourage dialogue and a safe space for all people to express themselves freely, and we must unify against terrorist organizations and against murder.

I am repulsed at the either/or attitude flooding social media feeds. Of course, be angry. Of course, be devastated — but promoting the “eye for an eye” mentality must change

A life lost is a life lost. It is far too easy to generalize groups. To demonize one over the other unless we stop to realize that victims are on all sides. We are all affected by what is happening. We must remind youth that watching things on social media is not enough. This will spark them to get involved in their communities to ensure dialogue, safety and above all, maintain friendships led with love.

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This is a scary time, where hatred and violence are used to resolve conflict. Look at the lessons our children will see. Is this the world we want for them? It is up to us to ensure they become global citizens who care about others around the world. We mustn’t accept the desensitization that occurs via social media and become complacent about these atrocities.

The more we click and share, the more desensitized our culture will become. We must believe in human consciousness to elevate our world to a level where peace can prevail. The only way to do that is by educating youth and showing them compassion and empathy — and in return, they will show the world the same. Let us not be divisive in our communities.

We must not lose faith in humanity. For then terrorists all around the world, win.

Penny Mamais teaches in the School of English and Liberal Studies at Seneca College.

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