Today, the largest and most fantastic global event begins, and for over a month, billions of people will have their attention drawn to the Men’s World Cup of football in Qatar. However, while many will be following the spectacle of the 36 competing teams dueling it out for global supremacy, this year, unlike many others, a sub-story is taking an even greater focus, and that is the human rights atrocities of the host nation Qatar. Although, at the same time, there is tremendous controversy associated with the event’s award to this tiny nation of fewer than 3 million people, there is also the architectural impressiveness of the new city built for the event.
Qatar was awarded the event a dozen years ago under dubious circumstances. Yet, when we are close to opening day, it is now that all media outlets draw attention to the human violations within Qatar. Naturally, these must be disclosed their views and highlighted, but it does beg two questions:
Why did none of these outlets and personalities who are now being critical raise these issues in the past decade?
If your job requires you to fulfill a specific role, does that imply you now develop a conscience and express a value-driven perspective?
Many will now attempt to use the event, and the surrounding stories for their benefit, and some will even look to create an activist following by telling human stories filled with empathy.
Jumping on the bandwagon may seem appropriate. Let’s admire those who consistently demonstrate their values and wear them regardless of public opinion. Take note of those who are there at the outset of the journey and not just when the bandwagon is on the final stretch of the trip riding into town. Take on a cause regardless of who is looking, and it will likely be the element that propels you beyond your expectations.
