TEHRAN – In my opinion, the ultimate goal of humanity is to see and respect all the differences of human beings in all the contexts. The high speed of modern life has taken away the opportunity to see these differences.
Now, that we lack the time and do not bother to see the differences and learn to respect, I’m asking you to put it in front of our eyes so that we can see and learn every day and every moment, and remember that we’re all still human beings. The following is an open letter to one of the managers of the Instagram social network, in which she explains the concerns of a large part of the users of this network and asks them to pay attention to them.
Mr. Adam Mosseri,
PLEASE ADD THE OPTION “RESPECT ALL DIFFERENT ABILITIES” TO INSTAGRAM EXPLORER
Think about this: It’s Monday, the beginning of a week in 2023; That’s about three years later. Your work schedule for the so-called Monday might begin like this: You are supposed to hire immediately 10,000 users for Instagram in the next 24 hours; Yes, that’s right. You’re going to “hire” some users! A number of users with highly special payments whose only job is to be on Instagram and create a personal account immediately. Would you believe that you have to pay them just for their presence on Instagram? You may ask why? Here’s the answer:
It’s early in the morning and you’re sitting on your desk. There is a report based on which you have to hire some special users to publish a positive, tender and motivational content in a direct way as soon as possible. Because you have to control the inflamed violent atmosphere of the day caused by a specific subject or topic, in a few hours. The tension is increased and posting violent images has taken the control of the network out of your hands, so far as it is inexplicable. On the other hand, finding 10,000 nice users with positive personality traits to promote news with positive and true content is very difficult!
Would you ridicule me if I tell you that you’re supposed to do this in the near future? Now, at the beginning of October 2020, I am talking about every Instagram user with Down Syndrome in the world; users who might be small in number, but so great in terms of personality traits. They have a healthy and pure way of thinking and a bright spirit; they are humble and most importantly, they’re always what they are. Apart from all social networks, users with Down Syndrome do not compete on “numbers” in every moments of their life like us and have no idea about how to be more charlatan or bully to have much more money in their bank account. With this mindset, these people log into Instagram where the only ruler is “number” and has an unwritten law: “The Tyranny of Numbers”.
At the same time, these users face with something much more poisonous than any other poison, which is called “indifference” from other users of Instagram. Therefore, users with Down Syndrome are neglected again and again on Instagram in an unequal competition; just like many other opportunities outside the Instagram, wherein their rights have been neglected for many years.
Here’s the question: Are the founders and managers of social networks in general, and in particular Instagram, responsible for the widespread elimination and obvious discrimination and most importantly, “perceived negligence” and “invisibility” felt by these users in Instagram? Or they don’t consider themselves responsible for this situation?
Mr. Mosseri:
Is it possible for social networks and their creators and owners to make pictures, videos and posts uploaded by users with Down Syndrome more accessible to others? Is it possible for social networks and their creators and owners to introduce one of the most successful users with Down Syndrome for free in Instagram Explorer once a week, as an encouragement for these people? Is it possible for a social network like Instagram to promote videos posted by users with Down Syndrome in order to be seen more frequently by other users? Is it possible for Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to promote the news about sports, artistic, cultural and educational success of people with Down Syndrome, who are faced with many obstacles and difficulties? Is it possible for a social network like Facebook to advertise the most prominent people with Down Syndrome for free once a week or once a month?
I think the answer to all these question might be these words: Yes, that’s possible.”
And here comes the last question: Do you have a mission or goal for Instagram? Or it’s all about business and money?
I would like to believe that this is not true. I believe that Instagram takes responsibility for its effective influence in changing the way people consider each other. I would like to believe that Instagram is aware of the positive, motivational and ethical potential that exists in users with Down Syndrome in social networks, and admits that the promotion of pages belonging to these humble users will undoubtedly help to optimize the content of all social networks and in particular, Instagram.
Mr. Mosseri;
Here is the most important request:
Is it possible for a social network like Instagram to create an option called “RESPECT ALL DIFFERENT ABILITIES” in Instagram Explorer along the suggested options such as shopping, architecture, food, art, style, fashion, music, etc., and accordingly promote the pages belonging to people with Down Syndrome as well as the people who have different abilities for free at least a few days per month?
It is worth to say that I’ve always had a deep respect for all the people who have different physical and mental abilities. Thus, my request is about the people with Down Syndrome in particular and in general, all the people who have different abilities.
In my opinion, the ultimate goal of humanity is to see and respect all the differences of human beings in all the contexts. The high speed of modern life has taken away the opportunity to see these differences. Now, that we lack the time and do not bother to see the differences and learn to respect, I’m asking you to put it in front of our eyes so that we can see and learn every day and every moment, and remember that we’re all still human beings.
Mr. Mosseri:
You know, something just crossed my mind; if, for example, time went back and the beginning of social networks was around 1947, and tomorrow was the morning of December 10, 1948, in which 48 countries voted in favor of “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” in support of human dignity, equality, brotherhood, justice, conscience and freedom from all forms of discrimination, I believe that there would be at least two more territories, in addition to those 48 countries that voted in favor of this international document: two territories that, unlike ordinary lands, have no geographical borders and no physical area; territories which we call “Instagram-Facebook” and “Twitter”.
Sincerely;
Dr Azadeh Abbaszadeh;
Founder & CEO of Down Syndrome Division in Cellular-Molecular Research Center at IUMS
President of Down Syndrome foundation of Iran
Founder & CEO of “Wall47” :
TEDx:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWoFLBx-T0
Email: Azadeh.Abbaszadeh@gmail.com
By Azadeh Abbaszadeh
