Rebel, Controversial or Forthright?
Over the past few months, I have heard comments about myself either directly or indirectly where I was referred to as a rebel and a controversial person. Though I usually don’t give a toss about such things, I decided to dig a bit into why I was considered as such.
The rebel reference was to do with me being an outspoken individual – I have been this way since I was a child. Speaking directly about things and not bullshitting, questioning the status quo when it needs to be questioned and not conforming is apparently rebellious. How so? Because that is what an intelligent human being should be doing. Not just becoming a rat on a treadmill to nowhere fast.
The controversial reference was to do with a Facebook message I wrote during the Aragalaya where I called out Colombo for its apathy in the face of those less privileged than them. That message was copied and sent on WhatsApp to all and sundry, so much so that I was getting messages and calls from overseas. It also garnered a whole load of garbage from many who had no idea who I am, questioned where my roots lie and made assumptions without knowing that I called out my own people. This is apparently controversial. Again – aren’t you supposed to fix yourself first before pointing fingers at others? The stalwart Christians of Colombo who hold up the pillars of the church while sneering in disdain at those who don’t follow ritual, have forgotten the famous Biblical line – those who have not sinned should cast the first stone. And in this line lies the importance of understanding and fixing your own shit before trying to point fingers at others. But no, of course not. The opium of the masses works well with the so called intelligentsia of this hallowed district we call Colombo more than it does for the hoi polloi they look down on. Ridiculous.
Both these references make it seem that trying to be an honest and intelligent human being is an abnormal state of existence. Because if it was the norm, it would not be rebellious and controversial now would it? I find this appalling in one sense and hilariously absurd in another. We live in a country that touts religion like a plague with the teachings drilled in from childhood. Yet the mere act of living by those teachings is apparently not normal. Being honest and forthright is rebellious and calling out wrong is controversial.
It is truly a sorry commentary on the society we live in if these acts are seen as problematic – because the terms rebel and controversial have hardly been used as positive references. Personally, I will not change for any societal bunkum. Yet, I would ask what this society wants from its people if being straightforward and honest is a cause for shame.
