In English class we are
doing a social action project. The project consists of choosing a social issue
and creating a way to either make a change or raise awareness for it. I
actually really love the idea of this project. I just wish that I had a little
more time to actually do the project. I feel that if the project was started a
little early, we would be able to accomplish amazing things and even seriously
impact people.
I chose to do my project on
social ostracism, a form of social rejection that involves an emotional
withdrawal that occurs in the physical presence of the target. Ironically, even
though victims are visible during social ostracism, it is with this type of
ostracism that targets may actually feel invisible. This is because the “offenders”
(people, who are doing the ostracizing,) behave like the target is completely
invisible, like they do not exist. This actually includes a lot of what we do
today such as the silent treatment, the cold shoulder, freezing out, and even ignoring
phone calls or emails. Some call ostracism the “social death penalty.” It’s the
feeling of being a pariah, of being shunned, ignored by the group, or given the
silent treatment.
Many people do not
understand the serious effects isolating someone can have on that person
mentally and even physically. Ostracism can cause people to become depressed,
have suicidal thoughts, physically hurt themselves, have bad moods, become socially
awkward, and a lot more. It is important that people understand the consequences
of their actions when shunning or ignoring someone. The smallest thing can turn
into the biggest problem. So remember to always try to brighten someone’s say
because the smallest gesture can also become someone’s brightest treasure.
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