What’s wrong with the world?

In 2003, a song by the Black Eyed Peas called Where Is the Love won people’s hearts as it resonated with what they were seeing globally. The song was about the prevalent racism, terrorism, killings, discrimination, animosity, and hatred. Through their song, the band urged for greater unity and solidarity among people and nations. Twenty years have passed since the release of the song but has the world become any better? 

Just on Saturday, reports of aerial attacks by Hamas on Israel shocked the world. More than 350 people have been killed so far with some Nepalis seriously injured. A week before that, more than 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Azerbaijan were reported fleeing to Armenia because of what has been termed as ethnic cleansing launched by Azerbaijan. The Russia-Ukraine war does not seem to end any time sooner, and people on both sides continue to be killed and important infrastructures continue to fall. Tensions between our immediate neighbor India and Canada have also risen and each country has asked the other’s diplomats to return from their duty stations. India has even suspended visa issuance to Canadians.  

Whether in the name of religion, economy, natural resources, or ethnic cleansing, the global citizens are seeing rising levels of tensions and unrest. These result in death, displacement of people, separation from family members, mental trauma, disconnect from one's culture and so on. After the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out, people left their countries in millions as reported by media and international organizations.  The issue of managing refugees is not just complex but also sensitive. Not all countries have the capacity or the resources needed to take care of the displaced population. And, not all refugees or immigrants are welcome by the citizens of the host countries. 

Even then, fighting between groups, government atrocities, and other issues force people to leave their home and embark on dangerous journeys such as traveling by boats in the vast oceans that often meet with accidents. They don’t fear the illicit movement and walk the road-less jungles and rainforests of Panama to enter the US for instance. Reports said 400,000 migrants were heading to the US from Panama’s Darien jungle. US President Joe Biden who earlier opposed the idea of building a wall is actually building a section of it. 

Why is this happening and will this ever end? Failing economies, lack of security, and threats to lives are rampant. Our world that has faced two big wars is continuing to see scattered wars. While some people are becoming more vulnerable, others are being less tolerant. Humanitarian organizations and the United Nations have more responsibilities than ever to protect the citizens of the world.  There was a time when we would hear mostly terrorist groups inflicting the damage. Now, we are seeing countries and their head of states taking the lead. Their ego and their display of military strength has taken lives of the innocent. It also seems that the societies are being hostile. 

The shootings in a gay club in the US; targeted activities against religious groups in India, Pakistan, or Israel-Palestine; and military coups in Africa are only a handful examples of how divided the societies are.  It may be hard to change the minds of indoctrinated people but it should be possible to use diplomacy tactfully to maintain amicable relations with fellow countries and make peace but that unfortunately seems to be a distant possibility!