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A Simple Trick
A week ago, former world number one tennis player, Naomi Osaka, withdrew from the French Open tournament.
In her statement, she cited a desire for media coverage to resume its focus on world-class sport, as opposed to the ongoing dialogue that had erupted about her, having elected to avoid media activity.
Osaka had recognised the stresses she typically feels during press conferences and wanted to avoid the anxieties she experiences when (a) trying to deal with her nerves about public speaking and (b) trying to give the best answers when she is being interviewed.
I suspect that she would have had a more sympathetic response had she broken an arm or leg.
The result of the announcement certainly wasn't a reduction in the amount of media attention. I wonder how many unconnected commentators took to social media to add weight to the dialogue, without being in possession of the full facts; not knowing Osaka personally.
We all have our own unique perspective on the world, owing to our own very individual life experiences. As a result, we can't expect to have a complete knowledge of another's life. What we can practise, though, is tolerance, recognition of our diverse experiences, and discussion for the purpose of learning and understanding.
There's a quote from Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, which says:
If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it.
Until it's truly possible to 'walk a mile in someone else's shoes' like this, it would be respectful to #BeKind.
I, for one, hope that Osaka has found some relative peace, away from the media maelstrom.
