I somehow feel I am risking my future by writing this blog. I also do not want to censor my feeling for that purpose. I want to quickly summarise the event before writing my opinion.
Actor Liam Neeson in an interview to the Independent recounted a personal experience. Sometime back one of Liam’s female friends was allegedly raped by a black guy. When Liam came to know of this he was filled with rage and wanted to seek revenge. For the next few weeks, he claims to have visited predominantly black areas and pubs to physically assault the person or any other black person. This incident resulted in a massive outburst with many people calling him a racist and wanting his ouster from various contracts. The details of the incident are there for people to see.
The aftermath of the incident gives a clear picture of the people who control the narrative on social acceptance in our world. Liam Neeson is a popular actor with a good support network. If this reaction can happen to him then one has to wonder the state of the common person.
Convicting Liam of thought crime
- Should it be fine for Liam Neeson to candidly share his past? : Yes
- Based on this incident, is there evidence to call him a racist? : No
- Does the reaction against him have any merit? No
- Is it normal to have such the feeling the Liam had? Yes
- Will it be right if Liam had attacked another person? No
For a long time the religious right use to be the police for thoughtcrimes, the essence of an Orwellian society. Now, social justice warriors have joined the list. Liam didn’t attack a single person though he had all the urges. The only victim here is Liam’s friend and the perpetrator was a black guy. While the race is irrelevant for rape and there are rapists in all races, it is important to note that race still one of the identifiers in the society. When one goes after Liam they are indirectly going after the girl who was the victim of a rape. It is natural to get worked up and feel anger when one’s friend or family member is sexually abused. It is a pity that the social activists and warriors are unable to empathise with him.
According to me, Liam Neeson has to be appreciated. Firstly, he had the mind to take control of his urges. Secondly, he should be asked how he did that and figure out how to help people who need that support. Thirdly, he had the courage to say this in an interview. I am extremely sure he knew there will be some amount of backlash. Being candid requires bravery and anyone who attacks that is a coward.
My confessions – #MeToo
There are plenty of instances where I have felt the urge to take action against a community instead of just the individual situation.
After the Mumbai Attacks in 2008
I got married in July of 2008. In the early part of November that year, my wife and I decided to move to the UK, where I lived before I got married. I moved first and she was supposed to join me in December. On 26-November-2008 10 Islamic terrorists caused havoc in Mumbai. It was one of the worst attacks after the 9-11 attacks in the US. My wife was supposed to travel on 6th of December to the UK. Considering that there were more warnings, I postponed her trip at the last minute to start 5th December. A few minutes after she entered the airport, I saw a news item that there was a blast heard at the airport. I couldn’t reach her over the phone. My anxiety turned to anger as I promised to my parents that if anything happens to her, I will wipe of members of that community indiscriminately. I knew members who actually were happy with the 9-11 attacks. I didn’t feel any remorse in thinking that way. More than 50% of my close friends were Muslims. If asked even then, I would have said I didn’t mean them. However, the anxiety of possibly losing a loved one can make one say crazy things.
Despise towards people in armed forces
As a child, I was sexually assaulted by my uncle who served in the armed forces. He used my fondness towards him for his incestuous pleasure. He subsequently followed it up with some more gross behaviour. This made me develop hatred towards people from the armed forces. Till this very date, I struggle to build any empathy towards them.
In conclusion, it is natural for people to develop hatred or feel the need to take retribution against a certain community. One cannot be judged by those feelings. While it is not healthy to harbour that for long, the feeling is real and perfectly natural. We need techniques to overcome that anger, not take it out on innocents and above all share the experience with others.
Demystifying a skeptic's world 