When news emerged that Enrique’s SEX AND LOVE tour would come to Sri Lanka, many dismissed it as just another rumour. Nevertheless, Enrique did grace our tiny island with his presence - albeit with plenty of inconveniences preceding his show. Not surprisingly, the concert goers were annoyed. Frustrations were vented on the event page.
Memes made their rounds. Jokes were cracked. And before long, (especially since the day after, said event, was a Monday) people got on with their lives.
Or so we thought. Before long, videos started circulating on social media platforms of a young female fan getting on stage and hugging Enrique. Many were awed at her bravery at seeing her chance and taking it, countless women - and men - were jealous yet happy for her. Sadly, the remaining comments did not follow in the same vein, and instead were deeply disturbing, misogynistic and vulgar. To make things worse, many online news websites had the audacity to invade the young woman’s privacy and divulge her information as well as include screen grabs from her Facebook profile.
The internet is a breeding ground for keyboard warriors emboldened by anonymity. And boy were the internet trolls out in full force - their passive aggressive insults and threats to the girl were unrelenting as they thoughtlessly bestowed demeaning labels on her. In fact, many went as far as to dissect every inch of her life - school, parents and whatnot. Seriously?!! Why would anyone want to disgrace a young woman, who was obviously a huge fan, in the name of “culture?” The very same ‘culture’ some blatantly abuse when they share pictures of women (including those of unsuspecting teenagers in their school uniforms) and describe in disgusting detail. The same type of people who touch women in public. Those people who expose themselves to women including little kids. The same people who catcall women on the street. Culture?
As one person commenting put it, “Everyone is probably going on about how this girl behaved in an ‘indecent’ manner. What Sri Lanka needs to come to terms with is that people do hug each other quite freely now. We have a culture where modesty isn’t just encouraged but expected. Fair enough. What they need to do is not change this expectation but change their understanding of modesty. Her hugging a celebrity doesn’t make her indecent.”
Had those who didn’t go to the concert heard of the guy who bypassed security, got on stage and hugged Enrique? Probably not. In fact, no one even batted an eyelid, no one bothered to look into his background, and no one attempted to assassinate his character and question his morality. Which is as it should be. Not only for him, but for the young lady as well.
Those looking for loopholes in this impassioned argument will no doubt find many. Afterall, this is by no means an in depth look into all aspects regarding the “hug” and the backlash received by the young woman. But if we are spewing inconsiderate, fault-finding and - most importantly - hypocritical individuals, then we have failed as a society.
Truth be told, we have regressed into such judgemental, presumptuous and holier-than-thou beings, that we turn a blind eye to things that actually matter and choose instead to focus on trivial affairs like an innocent hug. A fan meeting her idol. Live and let live. Life’s too short to be throwing stones at others while sitting in glass houses ourselves.
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