Ignorance is Killing Humanity

Introduction: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

Ignorance is killing humanity, a silent adversary that thrives on the absence of knowledge and understanding, eroding the fabric of progress and compassion. In response to ignorance, Mark Twain once gave an interesting reply, stating, “All you need in life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.” The ample evidence of this quote from the celebrated literary icon is just emerging in the form of elections in the United States and various Western nations, where ignorant demagogues enter offices without the knowledge and skills required for navigating the world of politics and diplomacy. The same holds true for the threat of beauty stereotypes, as black, Arab, and Mexican teenage girls look up to Kardashians and other models as their ultimate role models, aspiring to attain the same bodies depicted in posters, advertisements, and hoardings. While it seems that the media plays a role in fostering this ignorance, it is not the whole story. Ignorance, in essence, signifies a lack of knowledge about the real facts behind things, encompassing the absence of information and even a willingness not to learn essential aspects to understand the world. The current issue with ignorance, despite the digitization of media and the influence of millennials, is that it leads to various problems of discrimination and segregation, causing people to view the world through a stereotyping lens.

Media’s Role: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

While it may be inappropriate to solely attribute the rise of ignorance to the digitization of media and the world, it has undoubtedly played a role. The technological advances and prevalence of social media are key components of this digital era, giving rise to the millennial generation, commonly defined as those born between 1980 and 2000. In today’s digital age, millennials use social media platforms to communicate, share videos on YouTube, post pictures on Facebook, and express opinions on Twitter, often without a full understanding of the implications of their actions. Jerry Adler contends that the digital era not only empowers but also exerts control over its users, leading them to engage in activities without a comprehensive understanding of their consequences. He notes, “On one hand, millennials consume so much media they can’t concentrate, torn as they are between texting, posting on Facebook, and watching YouTube,” a significant factor contributing to their ignorance (495).

Adler further identifies individuals raised in a digital media world as digital Nisei, distinct from the older generation that had to adapt to technology. This generation is characterized by a constant need for connectivity, relying on devices such as phones, laptops, and smartwatches. Teenagers, in particular, feel lost without these devices, contributing to a creeping sense of ignorance as they become increasingly dependent on technology, resulting in decreased knowledge and understanding. Paradoxically, technology has aided in making them less informed and more ignorant, even as they assert influence in this digital arena.

Millennials: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

Millennials, despite being the most media-savvy generation, have consciously chosen ignorance, particularly when it comes to their perceptions of body image and self-worth. Media, as Jamie Santa Cruz of the Atlantic points out, plays a significant role in shaping their ideals, promoting unrealistic standards epitomized by images of Barbie dolls for women and action figures with chiseled physiques for men (Cruz). Despite the difficulty in achieving these standards, millennials strive to conform.

To boost fashion product sales, magazines, and modeling agencies contribute to altering the mindset of this generation regarding their bodies, fostering a culture of discontent. Santa Cruz contends that women are pressured to attain a double-zero pant size, while men aspire to develop muscles and six-packs. Citing a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, she notes that nearly 18 percent of boys are highly concerned about their weight and physique (334).

Additionally, a study by Natalia Kazmierczak, Rafal Patryn, and Antoni Niedzielski reveals the profound impact of models on social media, particularly on millennials who willingly succumb to their self-imposed ignorance. The study finds that many individuals develop eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, with 32.4% associating anorexia with beauty and success. Kazmierczak and colleagues state, “They do not accept their bodies and, in result, try to achieve an ideally slim and, in consequence, a boyish figure” (303), highlighting the pervasive ignorance exhibited in the face of relentless media influence. This ignorance extends beyond millennials, causing broader societal issues and problems.

Problems: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

Ignorance is giving rise to various societal problems, including discrimination, which manifests in various forms such as religious, ethnic, racial, and linguistic biases. When people perceive others in terms of groups, discrimination often ensues, fostering a mindset where some groups believe they are superior to others, exemplified by the experiences of Firoozeh Dumas, an Iranian writer who faced prejudice due to her foreign name (379). Such discrimination arises from the extremes of thinking that people are either entirely the same or fundamentally different, reflecting a lack of understanding and acceptance that differences can coexist with similarities.

Slavery, as a historical form of discrimination, has evolved into modern-day human trafficking, with an estimated 20 to 30 million slaves worldwide and approximately 800,000 people trafficked illegally across borders each year, as reported by the CNN Freedom Project. Furthermore, 79% of modern-day slaves are exploited in the labor industry. A harrowing true story from Riyadh narrated by Almaza, an immigrant worker, illustrates the severe conditions, mistreatment, and sexual abuse she endured while working for a cruel family (Dix, Benjamin, and Pollox 177). In this case, both the victims and the abusers were ignorant of their rights, exemplifying a willful ignorance that led to Almaza’s enslavement and her masters’ abusive behavior.

Racism is another manifestation of ignorance, further highlighting the societal problems rooted in a lack of understanding and empathy.

Racism: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

Ignorance regarding racism is prevalent in Western societies, where Syrian refugees, for instance, are often mistreated based on their Muslim identity and nationality, hindering their assimilation. Biases against unfamiliar names pose challenges for Arabs seeking careers abroad, leading many to consider changing their identities. Such ignorance fosters stereotypical prejudices, discrimination, and, ultimately, social unrest and conflicts.

Dr. Jack G. Shaheen, a writer and lecturer focusing on racial and ethnic stereotypes, highlights the perpetuation of negative Arab stereotypes in Hollywood. In the film “Reel Bad Arabs,” he exposes Hollywood’s consistent portrayal of Arabs as villains, terrorists, and subhuman, contributing to biased perceptions. Howard Beale emphasizes this ignorance, stating that a small percentage of people read books or newspapers, relying on television for their truth, which can be manipulated (“Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People”).

Another example comes from the movie “Alex and Eve” (2016), portraying a love story between a Christian Greek boy and a Muslim girl. The film illustrates how the Greek Christian family stereotypes Eve’s family as Muslim terrorists, highlighting how ignorance influences narratives. Howard Beale’s insight that television is an amusement park and not the truth underscores the notion that people tend to believe what they see without questioning or seeking more information, perpetuating their ignorance (“We’re in a Lot of Trouble!”).

Conclusion: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

Putting it briefly, it is fair to assert that ignorance is a fundamental source of many global issues faced by people today. Despite these challenges, solutions to combat ignorance are available. Initiatives like the Dove Campaign, celebrated by Nina Bahadur of the Huffington Post, have actively worked to redefine beauty standards by featuring women of various forms and sizes as models, emphasizing the celebration of unique differences (Bahadur). To address ignorance, individuals must learn to critically analyze information and not blindly accept everything they see and hear. Education stands as a powerful weapon against discrimination and willful ignorance. Discrimination is not inherent but results from the prevailing environment and culture, and education can reshape these perspectives. Creating a safe and diverse environment, free from ignorance, is crucial for instilling correct life standards. Awareness campaigns are essential to liberate people from the cages of discrimination and slavery. In short, education emerges as a potent tool to combat ignorance—the root feeding the tree of evil. It serves as the beacon of light illuminating the dark paths of discrimination, slavery, and false perceptions. Education holds the key to addressing and resolving many of the problems plaguing humanity.

Works Cited: Ignorance is Killing Humanity

1. Adler, Jerry. “Meet the First Digital Generation. Now Get to Play by Their Rules.” Wired Magazine, Shifting Narratives, 16 Apr. 2013: 494-500. Print.
2. Bahadur, Nina. “Dove ‘Real Beauty’ Campaign Turns 10: How A Brand Tried To Change The Conversation About Female Beauty.” The Huffington Post. 21 Jan. 2022. www.huffingtonpost.com/…/dove-real-beauty-campaign-turns-10_n_4575940.html. Accessed on 16 Apr. 2022.
3. Cruz, Jamie Santa. “Body- Image Pressure Increasingly Affects Boys.”  The Atlantic, Shifting Narratives, 10 Mar. 2014: 333-37. Print.
4. Dix, Benjamin, and Lindsay Pollox. “Almaza: A Story of Migrant Labour.” BBC News Magazine, Shifting Narratives, 30 Sept. 2014: 176-201. Print.
5. Dumas, Firoozeh. “The F Word”, and excerpt from “Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America”. 2003. Print.
6. Kazmierczak, Natalia, et al. “Influence of Mass Media on Emergence of Eating Disordes Amongst Young People.” Polish Journal of Public Health, vol. 123, no. 4, Oct. 2013, pp. 301-304. EBSCO host. Web. 16 April 2022.
7. “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People.” Perf. Jack Shaheen. Youtube. N.p., 17 July 2016. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukg-OMMQ36w. Accessed on 16 Apr. 2022.
8. Shaheen, Jack. “The Media’s Image of Arabs.” Crossing Cultures. n.d.: 433-34. Print.
9. “We’re in a Lot of Trouble!” Perf. Howard Beale. Youtube. The Ghost, 16 June 2008. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFvT_qEZJf8. 16 Apr. 2022.

Relevant Questions about Ignorance is Killing Humanity

1. How does ignorance contribute to the detrimental effects on humanity, acting as a silent force that undermines progress and compassion?
2. In what ways can we address and combat the consequences of ignorance, recognizing its impact on the well-being and unity of humanity?
3. What role does education and awareness play in mitigating the destructive consequences of ignorance, and how can societies actively work towards eradicating this silent threat?