“We all have a social responsibility and have to be mindful of what we do and say”- Aja Brown
Aristotle, the legendary Greek philosopher said that humans are social beings whose every decision affects other people. Although the 21st century has been characterized by an individualistic culture, the global COVID-19 pandemic has awakened a moral responsibility to collective safety. As the pandemic raged on, the “me-first” mentality was overtaken by campaigns like ‘#WearItForMe’ and ‘#WeAreAllInThisTogether’ among others, with the aim to stir joint efforts towards keeping deaths and infections from COVID 19 at bay. The rugged, go-it-alone attitude has continued to be challenged by socially responsible actions towards the community and the planet.
Social responsibility is a complex idea that can be described by only two words: social, meaning public, and responsibility, the word that instantly adds weight to any adult’s shoulders. But what does it really mean to be “socially responsible”? Is it giving to charities, donating blood, consuming green products, visiting the sick, giving to vulnerable households, volunteering in the community, sacrificing your life for others, or just giving up your life towards good causes? Well, no matter how you look at it or what you label it, it is simply the act of prioritizing the benefits of society over personal gains in every activity. Social responsibility can be a very heavy load to bear for anyone, but there is possible intrinsic altruism that can drive us to do good.
We all can be socially responsible, by nurturing an awareness of how our decisions affect others. This can be through signing a “commitment of solidarity” in tackling social issues like poverty, discrimination, pollution, injustices, inequalities, genocides, conflicts, etc, or playing a role in mitigating the effects of the current pandemic. Some of these choices require us to change the way we live, and this can only be achieved if individual choices are made in the collective interest because of internalized values.
Social responsibility begins with each one of us. Do you scorn someone struggling with mental distress? Do you spread hate and prejudice just to advance your agenda? Do you stay silent when you witness an injustice just because you want to protect your privilege? Every action you take in each of the scenarios will have an impact on people in the present and future.
As I welcome you to our last edition of the Peace Insight journal this year, I urge each one of us to ask ourselves if we are being responsible or irresponsible to our society. I wish you a happy festive season and a blissful New Year 2021.
Dr. Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa
Executive Director – Never Again Rwanda