LET'S TALK WORLD NEWS

There's so much happening in the world right now and although it would save us a lot of stress and paranoia not to care, I believe it's necessary to talk about it. I'm starting this weekly segment coz I believe it's important for these headlines to be part of our daily discussions. We shouldn't veer from it because it's touchy or it doesn't concern me since I'm miles away. We need to make it normal to react to current events. It should be the rule and not the exception. I mean think of it, our news feed is abuzz with what who's who is eating/wearing/doing and even if we get annoyed and call them overshare, we still look at it. Whereas when it comes to actual news, we just scroll through it. I'm not saying we should stop altogether posting about ourselves and sharing moments of our lives (hey, I have a blog, haha), I just think that maybe we should also use the same platform to expand the conversation.

So you might be wondering what makes me an expert to write this.. The answer is, I'm not. I'm not offering critical analysis but merely reflections and observations from an average everyday normal person. Like I said earlier, I want to discuss these with you. It's important to have an opinion, but it is essential you form it wisely. The only way you're gonna arrive at that is if you consider alternatives and get as much information as you can. This is why talking it out helps, you get to vet your arguments and help you formulate your personal views. So, shall we?

1. ISIS

It disturbs me how we easily generalize terrorists as Muslims. Like what Obama and Pope Francis and many other folks point out, violence is not exclusive to Islam. Other groups, Christians even, also have fundamentalists who skew religion in order to justify their ideology. I feel that those who insist otherwise (like the idiots mentioned here) have had no experience interacting with our islamic brothers and sisters. I believe that's where cultural awareness comes in. The ISIS militants may be muslim, but the bottomline is they're terrorists. People who use religion as a basis to ostracize or symphatize with the group has it all wrong. Just because you don't pray the same way doesn't mean they're bad, they're bad because they chose to kill. Just because you come from the same region and share the same faith doesn't mean you have to support your "bros", dude, they chose to burn a fellow bro alive. (Suggested reading: This piece by Piers Morgan)

2. Singapore Double Suicide

This really bothered me. Since it's the love month and all, I just can't fathom how people distort love into something so horrible. They chose to end their lives. If you truly love someone, how can you allow them to even consider this option? I find this story really sad because I feel like it could've been avoided. My heart aches for the girl's single mom. </3 And for something like financial problems? Gaaah. What makes this news more sad is that they aren't the only ones who opt for this quick escape. I read somewhere that the highest cause of death for British men under 35 is suicide. So guys and girls, we have to talk. It's important to remind each other that we are not alone, this small act can make the difference between life and death. 

3. President Aquino and King Abdullah II
I've recently been reading The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success and it gives importance on making purposeful tough calls even if it will make you unpopular. Sometimes, you have to turn your ruthlessness up in order to do good. The book places emphasis on doing it so under the proper context, at the correct levels, and for the proper reasons - something which television psychopaths don't bother with. The worst thing you can do is not to do anything because you're paralyzed by fear or you're too caught up with your options. The past week brought two kinds of leader in the limelight - the action man King Abdullah of Jordan, and the talk cock Philippine President Aquino. Both these commanders in chief lost a man through savage brutality (44 in the case of Aquino). One chose to retaliate, the other chose to bring up his parents and insist that there is a bigger picture. Guess who ended up being praised and who ended up being slammed? Yes, there might be a higher purpose and we must protect peace at all cost. But since when is allowing ourselves to be bullied protecting peace?? I don't like the idea of war be it in Mindanao and the Middle East, but it's naive to say it doesn't exist because you're not taking part in it. It was waged against you, whether you like it or not, it's already happening. Question is, do you let them take the peace or do you fight for peace?

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Like I said, I am merely starting a conversation with you guys. Feel free to share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions even if it disagrees with mine. I would also love to read articles and links that has moved and helped mold your views.


xx