A pandemic is sweeping the world, something we’ve never experienced before. It urged the public to cover up. It’s for everyone’s safety. Certainly, others can identify a visible mask, but what about an invisible mask we all wear every day? Two invisible veils are currently being worn. We put one on regardless of our circumstances, and the other is unseen. We pretend to smirk when disturbed and roar with laughter when our hearts break. Often, wrapping an inside mask is mischief to others, but not always. Sometimes, this mask is for us as a symbol of our double standards.
Dual rules govern our lives. Using this strategy, we can defend ourselves and criticize others. Not all privileged individuals carry this invisible shield. We are all equipped with it. Few of us practice it. The habit of measuring others’ errors is a sinful habit that many of us have. This is like stabbing someone behind their back while they’re present. They are our bosom companions. Let’s go… we’ll wear masks.
A wife constantly wrangling with her spouse for anything and everything but for her social media prominence and portrayal, she draws a picture with her partner and presents the world that they are the best couple in the world. Here we go… we wear masks. Their wives’ turbulent personalities upset husbands, but they often crave to be with them because they do not wish to give up their children. He seeks to escape by considering an affair outside his marriage. Any kind of social media irritates him because he avoids being recognized since he “escapes” from the social realm periodically. Here we go, we wear masks.
There are many people constantly sharing posts on Facebook, but not a single article they read themselves. That way, they’d learn something. Every day, people share something on Facebook and accept likes from others. But sharing without caring is unnecessary and unhealthy. Once again, the shield we place over our faces engages us in practicing the double standard.
There is nothing wrong with commenting on RIP after seeing a post about a celebrity, a rich person, or a hero who has died. Any time a Muslim got killed, oppressed or died for a cause that needed more voices to be heard, they suddenly drowned those voices out. Their Facebook feed and walls do not contain any posts about that cause. Apparently, they want to show to their so-called friends they are not minors. They belong to the group that supports the supreme society. A single word about Syrians, Palestinian refugees, or starving Yemenis never said. They belong to the same religious doctrine and society, but are also minor. How come they don’t speak out? They like to camouflage their integrity by mixing with others and pretending to wrestle with westerners. Our routine lifestyles pursuing continually and then bury because this is a double standard.
Some people post their pictures and then go to pray afterward. Once they have finished praying, they check to see if anyone has commented or liked their pictures. This is perfectly normal. But it adds another layer of unfairness. Humans wear masks for praying, posting pictures, and chatting.
Whenever we see a dog or cat outside, we naturally think of them like dogs or cats. They have no names or descriptions. When we are around dogs, we often fear that they will bite us. It’s just the way they are. We don’t accept it will take care of us instead of biting us. But when an individual crosses the street? Is he or she? Is he or she a stranger or an official? Are they an acquaintance, relatives, or family friends? Is he an unauthorized intruder? Would he run away with my purse if he entered the house? Did he rape or trafficker any children or be a priest, or was he planning to kill someone or do a job? That person is beyond our comprehension. How strange! While humans cannot tell whether another human is good or bad, dogs or any other animals are easily recognizable by their category of beings, but who is the best and most established in each category? Are we humans or animals and who has a better safety record that won’t stab you back and hurt you? We live a life of double standard. It’s all we live through, cope with, and pass through. We can pass it, but we occasionally lose our peace though. It shakes our beliefs, trust, and self-confidence.
On social media, ‘liking’ is also a popular trend. Who likes whose post the most. Some people upload pictures of their travels, some of their food, some of their makeup, and some pictures of them eating in a restaurant or on the go. They all have to be liked, though. If a friend misses a post but likes another, he or she becomes envious. It is a ‘Virtual jealous’ going on in everybody’s mind.’
Conversely, if a poet or writer posts a poem, a short story, or any other form of educational content and does not see any ‘likings’ or fewer ‘likings’ on their posts; they feel jealous of others. Also, they desire recognition from their friends, who pay more attention to friends who post more pictures. Both groups have similar intentions. They want attention by posting an article or posting a picture, and one blames the other that social media isn’t a reading platform. The two groups hide behind masks when they post something and pretend they do not accept the recognition. Let’s look. We live in a world driven by double standards and race who can “like” us the most. A friend must like our posts; otherwise, they aren’t my friends.
Dual standards are harmful, as well. Wearing masks also exhausts us. Although we wear it to protect our ego, anger, and frustration, can we connect a variety of living styles into one—probably not? It’s not a common practice for someone to wear casual clothes to parties and vice versa. The only thing we can remember and practice is not to harm anyone when wearing a mask. Masks can protect our privacy and help us cope with difficult situations.
