Who does that light illuminate, and who does it render invisible?

—What we have turned a blind eye to behind the "symbol of hope"

This note is the fifth installment of the series "Philosophy Essays Starting from Anger." It is perfectly fine to start reading from this piece.

Vol.1 Why only humans are sold cheap in an era of “cheap and convenient”
Vol.2 The day “the atmosphere” killed democracy
Vol.3 Why is it so scary to get angry?
Vol.4 For whom is the phrase “if you work hard, you will be rewarded” meant?
Vol.5 Who does that light illuminate, and who does it render invisible?
Vol.6 Was I laughing at someone else's anger?
Vol.7 Are you protecting something by discarding your emotions?
Vol.8 Why are we tormented by “normal”?
Vol.9 To avoid being complicit in silence - How to live without letting go of anger

Introduction: In the light that is too bright

One day, I watched the night news on NHK.
The anchor said this right from the start.

“First, a topic about Shohei Ohtani.”

He was shown on the screen with a smile, and the cheers of the audience played.

On the other hand, the politicians' slush fund scandal was being reported that day as well.
Bills that would directly impact the elderly and child-rearing generations were being deliberated.
Yet, the first thing reported was sports news.

Of course, Shohei Ohtani is not to blame.
He is a person who has sincerely put in the effort and achieved results.
However, what I felt uncomfortable with was “how that light is being used”.

His brilliance cheers people up.
However,that light sometimes covers up 'something'.
Political corruption, media negligence, structural issues—
are we not consuming 'light' to turn our eyes away from such realities?

This note is an attempt to look at what has been rendered invisible in the shadows, rather than being illuminated by 'light that is too bright'.

Chapter 1: Where does the light come from, and how is it cast?

Shohei Ohtani, the Olympics, the World Cup.
Sometimes celebrity marriages, sometimes scandals or obituaries.
We are given 'topics' day after day.

But who decides what becomes a 'topic'?
It isnot the viewers, but the structure of media and politics.

Behind important parliamentary deliberations, celebrity news becomes the top story.
Bills passed quietly.
Entertainment information released at timing that does not seem like a 'coincidence'.

While we are healed by 'bright topics,' we are simultaneously distracted from important 'dark realities'.

Light has the effect of giving hope while simultaneously making the 'darkness' behind it harder to see.

Chapter 2: Talent and effort, is that 'soil' equal?

It is often said, 'Shohei Ohtani is a man of effort.'
That is certainly true. He set goals, executed plans, and produced results.
It is only natural that everyone praises him.

But I want to ask this.

What if he were 10 centimeters shorter?
What if the family he grew up in had financial difficulties?
What if he had spent his teenage years plagued by injuries?

At that moment, could he have become the 'him' he is now?

For effort to bear fruit, it requires fertile soil.
Family environment, health, human support, and appropriate education and mentors.
Only when these are in place can effort truly bloom.

Yet society takes the words of 'successful people' out of context and uses them.

'If you work hard, your dreams will come true.'
'If you try, you can do it.'
— They say these things to everyone.

In that, there is violence.

Chapter 3: When successful people become a smokescreen

The words of successful people are often exploited for political purposes.
A 'society where those who work hard are rewarded'—haven't you heard that somewhere before?

Yes, it is the same structure as 'reforms that require enduring pain.'
'Success stories' are used to silence criticism of inequality.

'This person was rewarded. So you should work hard too.'
'If things aren't going well, it's because you aren't trying hard enough.'
— Once said like that, it becomes difficult to argue back.

The media broadcasts this composition repeatedly.
As if a 'success story' were proof of the entire society.

However, the brilliance of one person does not speak to the structure of the whole.
Attempting to make it do so is a mechanism for hiding the structure.

Chapter 4: What We Have Been Overlooking

While we are excited by news about Shohei Ohtani, the pension system is on the verge of collapse, the rate of non-regular employment among the youth remains high, and child poverty is becoming increasingly severe.

These are "hard-to-see news" stories.
They are complex, dark, and something no one wants to talk about.

But is it really okay to "only look at what we want to see"?

Shouldn't we be straining our own eyes to look at the places where the media does not shine a light?

Conclusion: To Keep the Shadows in Mind While Watching the Light

I do not mean to criticize Shohei Ohtani.
I understand well the feeling of finding hope in someone like him.

But that is precisely why I want to ask:
Who does that light illuminate, and who does it render invisible?

Laws being quietly changed behind the scenes of glamorous news.
People who cannot raise their voices and are enduring pain.
Are we not covering all of that up with "light"?

Let us keep asking.
What lies on the other side of the light?

The act of "seeing" is also the act of "creating things that are not seen."
We must never forget that.

★☆★ Thank you for reading until the end.
★☆★ If you resonated with this, please click the 'Like' button.

And I want you to speak your own questions in your own words.
I believe that those small questions can become the spark that changes society.