Social Responsibility - Political Correctness Meets Exclusivity Meets Vanity

The term "social responsibility" appears to be a product of newly emergent affluent societies which arose from humble, pragmatic beginnings.  There can be no doubt then that, in just that one sentence, one knows that this is primarily referring to the Singaporean context.

The phrase is synonymous with the attitude, conduct and efforts based upon an obligation towards the betterment of society at large.  It is very well utilized in the infotainment and corporate commercial circles, especially noticeable amongst the bigwigs of those industries.  It is viewed by mega-corporations as a worthy behaviour to adopt in the course of championing all of their causes.

While this goes well with the assurance and confidence paid back to the organisations involved, it insidiously gives birth to a sinister mentality among the well-intentioned practitioners.

What is mostly unknown of, or worse, disavowed, by the protagonists of "social responsibility", is the underlying agenda of seeking selfish gain or boasting a good self-image for the entities or organisations at the expense of the marginalised or disenfranchised sectors of the community.  By community I include the market economy of competitors, partners, legislators, the man on the street, as well as the 'esteemed' 'benefactors' of the organisations' target audience.  Under such a circumstance, a breeding ground exists for the drive towards political correctness in interacting with target audiences and legislators, for the sake of winning them over, in order to side with and support the organisation.

With the resultant public acknowledgments of the stamps of approval of the organisations given by the target audience, a spirit of elitism is set in, with an accompanying atmosphere of exclusivity felt by the entities of organisations, coupled with uncanny, unwitting reaction of acceptance by the audience.  The final state of the organisations is a heightened sense of superiority, which feeds a deep-seated vanity complex.  This type of progressive evil is woefully rampant at all gala events attended by celebrities (be they media artises or corporate poster-children) that throw in a charity drive, or some other politically-correct or socially responsible activity, for good measure.

If only they know, or are told, of this, who knows how they will respond against this societal decadence.

While not holding onto any resentment or vengeful thoughts of a gratituous nature, in any sense, I cannot fail not to surface these observations and imaginations, skewed and warped they may be to the general folk, who may also be calloused in their hearts and minds to the truth of such a matter.  On the other hand, I also do value the state of vulnerability I allow myself to be placed in, in this case, by the revelations of such thoughts, to facilitate the introspection and find solace in the companionship of others, to the extent of receiving reproof over such thoughts.