Who has not seen that for the past few weeks, the world has headed in the wrong direction? It is as if some ethical barriers had all blown up at the same time:
Political leaders in the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, and many other countries have happily agreed to affirm loudly and clearly their right not to welcome refugees, in violation of all international conventions. Public opinion seems to have rallied around this affirmation without any difficulty. And more and more often, the media has bypassed news of the deaths of hundreds of people on the high seas.
This does not only concern refugees: having seen too many sufferings, massacres, sorrows, ruins in the media, we’ve ended up no longer being moved by it and we’ve withdrawn to ourselves in order to not suffer too much from the misfortune of others. And the victims are being treated with less and less empathy.
In fact, all over the world, public opinion has shown more and more selfishness and insensitivity; altruism, benevolence, and kindness are viewed more and more unfavourably.
We must stop this tsunami of indifference before it is too late. And take the time, this summer, to reflect on the consequences of such moral disaster.
Because, if we are not careful and if we let this ideology of every man for himself and of moral confinement thrive, it will not stop there: if we are insensitive to the misfortune of foreigners, victims of wars or human traffickers, we will eventually declare everyone an alien in order to not have to care for the less fortunate. We will start believing that caring for the poorest is no longer necessary; that ensuring the minimum subsistence for them is not desirable; that there is no reason to assist the unemployed; that persons with disabilities do not have to be helped; and that pensions do not have to exceed the contribution capacity of each person. We will even start thinking that reducing carbon emissions is not urgent because global warming will affect mainly future generations.
In particular, in Europe and as well as in France, if we continue to slide on this slippery slope, it will be either one of two things: either the extreme political parties will take power, or their ideology will have taken power in the majority parties. And we will not be able to rely on the media, which is hungry for readers and competing with social networks largely dominated by the extremists, to fight against these new ideologies. Nor can we rely on NGOs, which will become increasingly isolated, short of funding and discredited. Not even intellectuals, who will one day have the choice between adhering to this ideology, staying quiet or going into exile (but where?!).
Benevolence, altruism and generosity do not divide. Perhaps it may be a selfishness that is well-understood: we need to show kindness if we want others to show kindness to us in return.
Let’s enjoy this summer of 2018, not only to take a selfish and narcissistic break, as we often do on vacation, but to awaken in each of us our ability to be emotionally stirred, show outrage and act upon it. To smile at the other, the stranger, not only the tourist or the neighbour, but also the forgotten, the homeless and the refugee. Our particular thoughts of sorrow and rage should be for those who have been allowed to drown in the Mediterranean in which so many Europeans will soon go—in all obliviousness—swimming or sailing.
If we do not do this and if we spend a few more months in this cruel indifference, or if we continue to vaccinate ourselves against the misery of others, do not be surprised if the summer of 2019 is one of every man for himself, of absolute jungle barbarism; and it will not only be at our doorsteps, but in our cities and in our homes.
To achieve this, enjoy every moment of this summer, be on the lookout for each mark of kindness or benevolence, given or received. The summer months are better than any other period for that. We will then understand that it is so easy, and it brings so much joy, to smile at others and by this, to all that we consider to be the other. And to help them.
Try, really try. Even if you believe that you do it already. Try more. You will not regret it. And your children even less.
J@attali.com