Disrespectful or Thoughtful ?

In a recent conversation with my father, who is a doctor, he told me about a patient who has to

roughly walk five kilometers daily in order to fetch water which caused her severe back problems.

Coupled with the lack of proper medical facilities in her village, she had to take the most basic

transportation services emptying almost all her savings and having just enough to pay my father but

this is just another brick in the wall. My father comes across a similar pattern in almost 80% of his

patient’s stories leading up to their back problems. This is the grassroot of our society which is

largely ignored by mainstream media. This brings me to the topic I shall shed light on: Is a teenager’s

opinion and concern regarding our society disrespectful or thoughtful? It brings me great sorrow to

say that today’s influence of the mass media and its topics of debate are greatly focusing on non-

entities and are hinged on grossing TRP’s. For example a suicide that took place four months ago is

still a topic of discussion and the so-called news only revolves around de-bunking controversies

regarding Bollywood and its actors for example. It is especially worrisome because media has a huge

effect on our thought process. By now, a question must have crossed your mind: How is this even

remotely related to what this girl has chosen for her topic? The answer to that will be answered, so

hold your horses. The consumers of this unfortunate disaster that has become of our news and

media is us teenagers. We are greatly affected by this portrayal of the societies’ perception as real-

life problems concerning our citizens. A considerate amount of our time is spent on our phones or

televisions which also sparks our thought process in regards to the what we have viewed or read on

our screens. I don’t have the authority to talk about what concerns my fellow peers but as for me

the media has taught me to start my own research on what actually matters. I have come to a

conclusion that an investigation concerning an actor does not make an ounce of difference to

poverty, environment or world peace or when it comes to 2020 a Global pandemic. I have therefore

decided that I will express my opinions on today’s portrayal of real-life problems by the media

however there is an obstruction that I have faced: The elders in my life thinking of me as

disrespectful when I question authority or talk about triggering topics. That’s exactly what I am

questioning in my topic of discussion. Is me being concerned about the future state of social issues

disrespectful? Do my guts come off as provoking or the simple thought of a child being in charge of

her thoughts intimidate you? From a very young age the idea of good values has been greatly

embroidered according to the perceptions and stereotypes developed by society. I have been told to

cover my body even if it isn’t sensible for me to wear full-sleeved clothes in summer. Good values

according to the elders around me means never questioning authority and doing as they say even if

it is faulty and expressing my opinions is just a complete disgrace; however they fail to realize that I

am in fact a part of a generation that is responsible for the future of this country and so it is

inevitable that I ask questions. If the elders that surround us fail to acknowledge our presence of

mind then we will have a great decline in development. I firmly believe that an all-around

development starts with the development of our minds. If someone of greater authority had not

recognized Greta Thunberg’s attempts to raise awareness about our environment then we would

have been deprived of her ideas. Her ideas and her thoughts are an example of the change that can

be brought about even by young minds because if not now then when? Don’t deprive us of

expressing our thoughts because they might just be revolutionary. So, tell me what do you think, are

my opinions towards today’s society disrespectful or thought-provoking? That’s something to think about.