BY : Yumna Khan, Student,Szabist Karachi,
Through this letter, I aim to emphasise our lack of tolerance as a society. This has become an increasingly concerning issue.
Intolerance is not merely defined by violence. It starts subtle, it starts at home in our everyday lives. We have simply forgotten a difference of opinion exists. We are quick to judge and assign labels. ShalwarKameez is tagged as outdated while Western clothing gets you tagged as shameless. There’s no winning in a society where your attire defines your character. The instance your political or social stance differs, the decibel rises. A husband who cares for his wife is mocked as “JouronKaGhulaam”. Women are shamed for dreaming big.Social media has further aggravated this. A slight error- a word taken out of context and in a split second you’ll find yourself being torn to shreds.
As a society, it’s imperative we take a closer look at ourselves- self reflect and perhaps, relearn empathy. Silence and arrogance lay the foundation for intolerance. We must not let indifference consume us, nor allow religious persecution or acts of mob violence to become the norm. Prioritise humility over hostility and kindness over resentment. Hatred and prejudice are taught, not learnt.
