The true spirit of humanity in the 21st century has dishearteningly dwindled. People seem to have lost their sense of sympathy, even their regard for the dignity and integrity of being human.
They tend to display bizarre behaviours towards their own kind – violent, heartless outbursts that can’t even be diagnosed by professional psychologists.
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To make matters worse, the advancement of technology seems to be stoking the fire rather than quenching it.
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Indeed, negativity travels fast on social media. People seem more willing to circulate violent, sexual or generally distasteful content to others just for amusement and popularity, even if it is to the detriment of others.
Take for instance this latest viral video out of Ghana: A group of agitated young men is seen harassing and molesting a woman alleged to have stolen GHC 1100 at a shop in the busy hub of the Kumasi Kejetia Station. The men mercilessly strip the suspect naked, force her legs open and abuse her while parading her in shame on the streets as onlookers huddle around to hoot and video.
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This unfortunate incident, it has since been discovered, happened on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2017 - ironically on a day set aside for the celebration of love and kindness.
The 2 minute 54 secs video is all sorts of heart-breaking. Not only is the woman’s rights being unbelievably violated, the very mindlessness and cruelty of the perpetrators tarnishes the perceived image of Ghana as a haven of tolerance and hospitality.
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Superintendent Cephas Arthur, Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, has since reacted to the incident:
“This is wrong, and, so, the police in the region will take the matter up and bring the perpetrators to book. The police will use cameras or the video to fight this crime.”
He continued: “Those involved will be identified and accordingly arrested to face the full rigors of the law. This is barbaric, and, so, the people will be arrested.”
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Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Otiko Djaba has condemned the mob action and called for justice for the victim.
“I know the police will crack this case if they need to, this is pure CID action,” Miss Djaba said on Monday, February 20, 2017, in an interview with Class FM.
What punishment would be appropriate enough to make up for the pain and humiliation the woman was subjected to? The emotional torture? The physical harm?
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According to Superintendent Arthur, the police have access to the video - which shows the faces of some of the perpetrators – and so they will be identified, looked for, charged and made to face the full rigours of the law.
The craze for social media attention seems to have blinded people’s sense of care, sympathy, and love for their fellow man. People were busily taking photos of the battered, naked suspect to share and gain mileage on their various social media feeds. No one sought to help.
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And it was telling.
Sooner or later, people will prefer to take photos of bad incidents such as accidents instead of rushing to the scene to help or call the right authorities.