“I’ve been given a platform and it comes with responsibility”

Inever refrain from commenting on serious or political issues. I have been given a platform and it comes with responsibility: I should use my voice for something. I share information because misinformation is readily available today. I don’t post about anything unless I have read about it extensively and understand it thoroughly. And therein lies the responsibility.

We exist in two parallels today—social media and real life. While social media seems to be the source for our news and entertainment, it’s a slippery slope. Fact-checking thus becomes crucial.

I decide what’s relevant for me to post about. Two weeks ago when Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I had to post about it. It’s myopic of people to think the war only effects a certain region. It’s hard not to feel passionately about the way the world is crumbling around us.

I’ve never felt pushed to comment. On the contrary, I’ve been asked to shut up. But that’s your regular IT cell troll. Politics is treated as a ‘dirty thing’, but politics is imperative. Even being apolitical means you’re choosing a side.

Some people follow me after seeing my pictures, then unfollow when they see I have a mind of my own. Others thank me for amplifying issues and I know I’m doing something right.

Saba Azad, 29, is an actor and musician known for her duo Madboy/mink. She often posts about political issues.