Opinion We can agree to disagree

Currently, in popular culture, the narrative plays out like this: Sima Aunty risks being cancelled for following conventional methodology — like pointing out that in one’s mid thirties focussing on fleeting attributes like hair are counterproductive — while contestants who so casually and cruelly demean their dates’ appearance are portrayed as valiantly brave for “holding men to the rigorous beauty standards women have always been subjected to”.

Nobody actually benefits from applying the principles of what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, quite so literally, in real life. I beg forgiveness for quoting another truism, the proof of the pudding lies in the eating, and alas, the girl fixated on hair didn’t snag a husband. The same logic applies to all — while future planning, philosophically choosing the best of the existing options, then getting on with it. The influence of social justice warriors admonishing Sima Aunty’s down-to-earth practicality is dangerous because they’re mostly hapless victims of the scourge of political correctness, the prevailing terror of making any comment that could be construed as racist-elitist-sexist-casteist. (And thereby, risking outing oneself as an unsophisticated old-timer.)

Cut to Cannes where actor Jennifer Lawrence was photographed in beach grunge flip-flops, teamed with her crimson Dior gown. Sure, she has the right to be comfortable but for this to be hailed admiringly, as a “bold move”? The whole concept of the red carpet is to display unbridled glamour and no one can deny that three inch stilettos would have looked far more elegant with that dress. For tens of decades, Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn willingly sacrificed comfort for style with no one applauding them. It makes one think, especially, when the world’s been rewatching the late Tina Turner’s magnificent energy on stage, in what else, but sky-high heels?

Nowadays, celebrities feel entitled to accrue all the advantages of publicity at one of the most photographed festivals of the world, and don’t even bother putting their best foot(wear) on. Bizarrely, this is celebrated for being staggeringly contrarian.

Is this progress? Lower the standards by enlarging the goalposts and by violating time-tested rules (with the tacit support of an echo chamber on social media) and then anyone who stands up and points to the truth, becomes the transgressor. More than ever, a fear of being judged shapes opinion and public discourse. However, beware of the losses that come with the self-indulgent elevation of “feelings” over everything else.

Literature that’s been left unvarnished for over a century is abridged to suit modern sensitivities. Some publishers have flagged Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for parental neglect and one may presume it’s the end of the road for Oliver Twist for, who, in this generation, has the wherewithal to digest the story of an orphan’s agonising journey through poverty? In this era of “trigger warnings” and “micro aggressions”, adjectives have lost meaning: “brave” isn’t a girl proclaiming she doesn’t want a bald husband, “brave” is a sherpa climbing Everest for the 27th time.

Perhaps it’s all too human to lack faith in our own ideas of right and wrong and easier to march in lockstep with the spirit of the age. It is worth remembering it’s not the worst thing in the world to say something offensive and in turn, occasionally, hear something one doesn’t like. There’s always an alternative, to change the channel or turn the page, better still, ponder over the fact that being politically correct doesn’t automatically confer a halo around the head.

The writer is director, Hutkay Films