"冷漠就是接受不可接受的事物"

Apathy, at its core, means not caring enough to make a change. It’s the shrug of the shoulders when something clearly wrong is happening, but no one steps up to fix it. When you accept what should never be accepted, that’s apathy.

Imagine the civil rights movement in the 1960s. It was a time when racism was rampant and segregation was the norm. Many people could see that African Americans were being treated unfairly, but not everyone did something about it. Why? Because it was easier to stay silent and accept that this was just the way things were. But the heroes of that movement—the ones who stood up, marched, and fought for change—refused to let apathy win. They recognized that accepting the unacceptable was not an option. Think of Rosa Parks, who decided she wouldn't give up her seat on that bus. Or Martin Luther King Jr., whose speeches moved a nation. They didn't just see the problem; they acted on it.

Now, let's bring it closer to home. Imagine you’re at work and witness a colleague being mistreated by a boss. You know it’s wrong, but you think, “Well, it’s really none of my business,” and do nothing. That’s apathy. The moment you accept that mistreatment, you’re saying it’s okay. But what if you decided to speak up? What if you went to HR or even just offered support to your colleague? Breaking that cycle of apathy can bring about real change.

If you want to apply this wisdom, start small. Look around your daily life and notice the little things you’ve been accepting without question. Maybe it's the friend who always talks down to others or the broken public bench that no one reports. Decide to take action—no matter how small. Speak up, report, support, or even just offer a kind word.

Let me tell you a story. A friend of mine, Sarah, lived in a neighborhood with a beautiful park. Over time, the park got neglected. Trash was everywhere, playground equipment was broken, and no one seemed to care. At first, Sarah thought, “It’s the city’s job to fix this, not mine.” But then she realized she was just accepting the unacceptable. So, she organized a community cleanup. She posted flyers, talked to neighbors, and gathered a group. They spent one Saturday cleaning the park, painting benches, and planting flowers. It wasn’t easy, but the difference was night and day. What’s more, it inspired others. Now, the park is a cherished community space once more.

So, the next time you’re faced with something that just doesn’t sit right with you, take a moment. Think about whether you’re accepting the unacceptable. And if you are, ask yourself what you can do to change it. It might be uncomfortable, but isn’t that better than living in a world where wrongs go unchallenged?