So there is a fantastic new messaging service called Sarahah (Pronounced Sraha). Created by a Saudi Arabian developer which was also a surprise to me as our minds are wired to believe that the only thing Middle East can produce is oil. A big shout out to Zain al Abidin Tawfiq for producing this App and #ThankyouRaheelsharif. *pun intended*
Though this service was made for anonymous feedback within companies, we Pakistanis and other fellow countries went a step ahead and used it to confess love we don’t feel, confess hate for no reason and off course send marriage proposals because why not?
Since my biggest passion is normalcy, I just had to follow the lot and did download this Application to see if I have any suitors or haters. Surprisingly I did get a lot of messages. They ranged from ‘Fraandship plz’ to ‘Tanzila you are a gem’ category. I am sure other users got mixed messages as well. But one thing that remained common was harassment. Many girls complained about it and the only response they got was, ‘So why did you download the App?’ or ‘Don’t you know that’s just how the world is’ or ‘Uninstall the Application’. It is like saying ‘Stop carrying your head if you don’t want it chopped off because let’s just accept some humans are so weak, they just can’t help it if they have to swing a sword’. An ex male co worker who is probably the only guy I have worked with for so long got a perfect opportunity to remind me why working under a female boss was demeaning to him. The message didn’t bother me. The fact that despite I maintain so much respect at work
place didn’t bother me. The fact I failed to teach a man on how to respect woman didn’t bother me. What bothered me is the mindset this society easily accepts and still dives in a peaceful slumber every night.
Sarahah does not change anything. The platforms for harassment have been set since centuries, the mindsets have been set long before the service came. It has only shaken us slightly but far are we today to pay attention to where we stand in terms of what are we okay with on what to express and what to tolerate? Sadly we are perfectly fine to express hate and perfectly fine to receive it.
What could have been a great way to actually share feedback with our peers and help them improve has once again been contaminated with our mindsets and once again we remain the losers regardless of gender.
When I compared my Facebook inbox with Sarahah inbox, there was no difference in terms of types of senders or content of messages. So anonymous or not, people feel the liberty to say anything to you just because it is a digital world and no one knows where you actually are. UNLESS! You speak up and awaken the terror in all users of exposing them. Whether you are a man or a woman, as long as you are known as someone who is not shy of speaking up about harassment whether it’s online or in public, you will not just protect yourself but also contribute to a society with accountability and integrity.
I have deleted the application. Not because it scares me. But because there isn’t a single person I am afraid to give feedback to the face. And those who have a lot to say to you anonymously, deserve to be anonymous in your life.
Note: No message was shared in order to avoid profanity. Only good ones were shared.
#sarahah #Tanzilakhan #Raheelsharif #Pakistan #society #harassment #womenrights #ZainalAbidinTawfiq
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4 Comments
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
‘Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.’
And I believe you’ve made the point quite accurately. Whether it’s to the face or behind a mask, it’s hard to find constructive criticism or compliments anywhere. It’s as if we’ve forgotten how to respect, as a people. Pretty much gone are the days when letters used to be funny/meaningful/heartfelt (or maybe I read too many fiction?)
Normalcy can be a fickle thing, especially during times like these. Frustrating too. Wish you all the best! Stay awesome!
Visitor Rating: 4 Stars
I watched a movie “Eyes Wide Shut” Summary
(After Dr. Bill Hartford’s (Tom Cruise) wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings — and quickly discovers that he is in over his head.}
After watching the movie I realized that “A mask is what a man needs”. Movie “Hollow Man” also told the same thing that an invisible man can fulfill his sexual desires they way he always wanted. The man would do any thing or say anything until his identity is kept secret. I came across an app named “Whisper” This app is basically confessions of people who want to remain invisible to the world.
In my opinion there are some secrets that never should be told or talked about. If you have the courage to say it on face then say it other wise there is no need to tell that person anonymously.
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