The recent tragedy that occurred in Greece has brought the discrepancy in media coverage between the plight of migrants and the interests of the wealthy to the forefront. While the story of the multi-millionaires trapped on a submersible exploring the wreckage of the Titanic dominates headlines, the story of the capsized boat carrying 750 migrants, including 100 children, receives scant attention. The exact number of fatalities is still unknown, with the confirmed number of deaths standing at 78 and as many as 500 people still missing.
It is undeniable that the story of the trapped multi-millionaires aboard the Titan is captivating, but it also highlights the obsessive fascination our society has with the wealthy, while important tragedies involving the marginalized communities get ignored. The desperation of the migrants seeking a better life is often instead portrayed as an invasion or threat to society. The treatment of the migrants as a faceless mass, instead of individual human beings with basic rights and dignity, creates a controversy where there should only be compassion and empathy.
It is easy to become numb to the overwhelming numbers of deaths and suffering of marginalized communities, but it’s important to recognize that each tragedy represents individual lives lost. It’s essential to value human lives without discrimination based on their status or wealth. The plight of the migrants deserves equal attention, resources, and empathy as that of the wealthy individuals aboard the Titan. The recent tragedy should remind us to rethink how we frame and value human lives. It is high time to acknowledge the reality that one missing billionaire is not more important than hundreds of missing migrants.
