I Reject, I Explain, I Reflect

On the role of hypocrisy and thought

There will alway be movies, literature etc. that do not challenge the audience for we know that there is a large sect that simply doesn’t want to think. At large, this exchange keeps the business of writing, moviemaking etc. going. In that cycle of formulaic consumption, also thrives or struggles to thrive a rebellion. Challenging us to think.

We keep blaming silence for lack of action, but I believe it is the lack of intention to think or immerse or be open to self examination triggered by anything — speech, self, writing, movies etc. that is costing us dearly.

As writers, filmmakers etc. we often try and cater to this audience who simply doesn't want to think. There is no question about it if we look at the movies we make and clickbait articles we produce. There is plenty reason why people don’t want to think. We are constantly running on full mental capacity. But I argue that there is more reason to not add to this process that is making us numb, thoughtless.

Here, I want to explain the purpose of my writing. (1) Its main aim is self exploration. I want to see when I write what do I say — fiction or otherwise — what emotions, issues etc. surface (2) It is to make me and my readers think — introspect, reflect, trace, challenge, disrupt, diversify. I poke holes in the comfortable identity we have built of ourselves and challenge people who cross paths with me or my words. I call out our hypocrisies.

We are all imperfect and we are all hypocrites. I believe the change that we want to see in the world, be it global warming, be it societal oppression, be it ongoing conditioning/brainwashing lies in how we react on being called out for our hypocrisy. Do we acknowledge and find ways to moderate it. Simply being aware is a huge step. Or, we deny our hypocrisy and blame the person who is exposing it for making us feel bad. In simpler terms — the changes we want to see in the world in the most simple sense lies in our reaction (A) Acknowledgement and will to improve (B) Denial and blame. Of course, I am missing nuances here but before you react know if you are audience who is unwilling to think and challenge — me, you, the status quo, any exchange between us will always be limited and unsatisfactory. I am not here to please you or make you feel good about who you have chosen to be. It is exactly the opposite that I wish to do. I am here only and only to write. These writings are both weapons pointed at the society and at myself. I am hypocritical and flawed but I choose to not be silent to hide my flaws. I choose to speak up so that you can see the flaws in my logic and correct them in me or more importantly in yourselves as that change has a plural effect. After-all, we are all reflections, continuously morphing reflections.

If you get hurt by what I say. You know what — my job of making you think is mostly done. The compassion in my writing is indirect. It is the kind of empathy that is built from knowing we are all flawed and in that constantly at the cusp of improvement.

To write, one has to leave their body for a bit and speak from a universal space. This space could reside within the body or elsewhere. When I say “I”, I mean us. When I explain “myself” — I am trying to explain other fellow writers and readers. “I” is a compound here that involves all of us. I am but a carpenter working endlessly on the same piece of wood(me). You can stand and watch this amateur carpenter, laugh, admire, whatever or you can pass by. But if you pause and look at the carvings, I am always hoping that you see your face, your poetry and you notice that I have immense love for you — my reader. I am always in the process of carving this piece of wood for you and only you. We are always the same and always together.