MY OPINION
KINDNESS FOR GOODNESS SAKE
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
Jane Stephens wonders how we allowed anonymous, feel-good acts of generosity towards others to become such marketable commodities.
Ashley Robinson reckons everyone is entitled to their opinion on the pride debate or other tickly issues, as long as everyone agrees to disagree.
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see the attention as kind. She told media her quiet had been disrupted and she felt patronised – as if all older women should be tickled pink by the gift of flowers from a stranger. Now, she is upset at being the subject of global pity, given no say in the exchange or its publication. Despite the seemingly warm and fuzzy intent, the video is not a true example of kindness. Kindness would be connecting with that stranger, sharing a smile or offering a hand. It would have been showing a little human caring instead of capturing a marketable moment. Four years ago, University of British Columbia psychology researchers John-Tyler Binfet and Camilla Enns identified the notion of “quiet kindness” through a series of experiments. While they found this to be far less prevalent than planned or responsive kindness, they found these acts – for the good of another and characterised by their stealth-like quality and the desire of the initiator to remain anonymous – occurred more than people might expect. If that was to spread like wildfire, for real instead of virtually, what a truly wonderful world it would be.
indness is a type of behaviour marked by sympathy, benevolence, generosity and consideration without expecting praise or reward in return. So dictionaries say. But what if you are motivated by pursuit of praise? And what if you do receive something in return – not from the subject of your kindness, but from sponsors? Random acts of kindness have become a social media phenomenon. The virtual world is captivated by watching strangers do kind things for others, with whole channels dedicated to discussing them. Those among us who believe in the power of positivity feel a little heartened that in an unpleasantly topsy-turvy world, goodness is at last getting attention. But the trend has tipped over a rather sharp edge. And kindness has been left behind. A few weeks ago, Melbourne TikTok content creator Harrison Pawluk filmed himself giving a bunch of flowers to an older woman sitting alone. The video went viral and has now been viewed more than 65 million times. The reason for the manic viewing is that the woman did not
Jane Stephens is a USC journalism lecturer, media commentator and writer.
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t the time of writing, there was much debate about Manly and its ‘rainbow jersey’, as well as discussion on Pauline Hanson walking out of parliament as she didn’t approve or support the Welcome to Country. With regards to the Manly protest by a number of players and supporters, I guess in my mind it is a free country. If you don’t want to support a ‘rainbow jersey’ with the intention of celebrating inclusiveness, that is totally your right. But in saying that, if you do want to show your support, it’s your right as well. Surely in the year 2022, we can all have different opinions without outrage. If the Manly players chose not to play in the jersey, it is not for me to reason why, or anyone else. If there is fallout inside the club because of it, well, that is the path they chose. My opinion is, I am totally for what the Manly Club tried to achieve and in a way, it probably has highlighted what inclusiveness should really be and that we probably still have a fair way to go. A few folk brought up the fact that some people’s
beliefs are against gambling and alcohol, yet there’s no issue with that on a jersey, so why is a rainbow any different? But I won’t argue about it. If someone asks my opinion, I’ll tell them but I won’t argue the point unless I see someone being vilified – then I will. Welcome to Country is something I am totally comfortable with, unlike Ms Hanson. In fact, I am a firm believer that our flag and our anthem should include our traditional owners. Again, I will not get into any arguments over it if people disagree, as “everyone” is entitled to an opinion – as long as they respect others. As they say, religion and politics are deadest two topics we should all stay away from. We should all be capable of treating people respectfully and judge them by what type of humans they are. As a chap called Pat Wadors said: “When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser, more inclusive, and better as an organisation.” I reckon if we changed the last word to ‘community’, it pretty well sums it up. Pat sounds a bit wiser than Pauline ... in my opinion, that is.
Ashley Robinson is the manager of Alex Surf Club and the chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The opinions expressed are those of the authors. These are not the views of My Weekly Preview publishers.
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