Flip flops Mahatma Gandhi in London Square

In history will always be amazing moments that could be an inspiration to anyone, never mind the nation's leaders, but also ordinary people like me.

 

FLIP FLOPS

One of the moments that happen after the round table conference in the United Kingdom, in the 1930s. The Conference held to discuss the fate of India, an area which at that time still part of the colony of the United Kingdom after the Conference, pemimpian India Mahatma Gandhi was invited in for a banquet in the presence of the King.

In the United Kingdom before the King, and the other guests were dressed in fancy, Gandhi comes with simple Khaddar dhoti wearing clothes, blankets and the grounded foot flip flops but the simplicity of the Gandhi does not make him lose respect from his King. Even moments that will always be remembered as one of the defining moments in the history of the show that did not need to look fancy to get respect.

Of course, it should be understood that the appearance of Gandhi is not a perfunctory only. His clothes are part of the protest, his clothes showed a resolute attitude.

Gandhi, and the moment, now is also remembered through a statue that stood in Parliament Square or Parliament Square in London, United Kingdom.

Wicak Hidayat/KompasTekno the bottom of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square, London, United Kingdom.

Gandhi vs. Churchill

Don't get me wrong! This square is one of the famous square in the United Kingdom, it is located near the Westminster Abbey and the houses of Parliament (which includes a tower with the nickname Big Ben).

In the same square stands a statue of some famous figure of the United Kingdom. One of the most contrast of course is Winston Curchill who appeared with a military jacket and holding a stick to walk.

Curchill is a figure which is famous for many things, one of them as a hard character. He included a figure who opposed the independence of India, and recorded don't like Gandhi.

That then Curchill and Gandhi are on the same square show how United Kingdom has changed a lot since the colonial times.

At first blush, there is indeed a difference between statues of Gandhi (who recently inaugurated March 2015) and Churchill. Churchill statue placed on top of a high rock, whereas Gandhi was placed just how far from the ground.

However this is not to suggest that that is one higher or lower than the others. Gandhi's family reportedly asked for it specifically, confirms her image as the "House of representatives".

Instead, Churchill statue made of copper were electrified. To prevent cuckoos littering the statue with the litter.

Wicak Hidayat/KompasTekno statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, London, United Kingdom.

What Does That Mean Sandals?

Gandhi's sandals, walking stick Churchill, was an integral part of the personality that both figures. Part of the external image of both figures, which also describes the attitude and personality of both.

Compare this with a photo of yourself that often we upload to the social media service like Instagram, Path or Twitter.

Social media, said Susan Krauss Whitbourne at PsychologyToday, giving you unlimited opportunities (or even demand) we are to describe the physical attributes through words and photographs.

Even if there is a "promotion", every time we share photos on Facebook, Instagram or more, in fact, we're posting themselves visually.

And vice versa, whenever we see (and enjoy) the visuals in social media, we are also leaving a judgement on the physical aspect of anyone that her picture is we are seeing.

The assessment was arguably the demeaning, even though we pass is a compliment. Humbled because then we get stuck on making the "object", when in fact there's a human being behind that photo.

Wicak Hidayat/KompasTekno statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square, London, United Kingdom.

Still Be Honest?

Indeed, it must be admitted, is sometimes shown in social media is an image of the surface. Do not depart from the solemnity of the attitude or the establishment of a human behind it.

Gandhi's flip flops will probably not equal with a photo of someone the user Instagram featuring him wearing flip-flops.

When, for example, a user Path showing a photo of himself was jogging. Is it true that he cares for the health? Or, just want to be considered so?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could mematutkan self-image in social media with the attitude and the establishment that does honest of heart?

Or, it's like this demands "now"? That, no matter what we believe in, posting photos on Instagram, and other social-media-should be as beautiful as and as good as possible?

Have we stopped to be honest on others (and yourself)?

This paper is part of a series of columns titled collage. As its name implies, collage something   so one of the few things that might not necessarily related directly

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