Collateral Damage: Age of Lockdown

Disclaimer: Heavily influenced by Avengers: Age of Ultron yet hopefully relatable to everyone. 

I just finished watching Avengers: Age of Ultron. Make no mistake. It wasn't the first time that I watched the movie. I have watched it enough number of times to look beyond the glorified characters and brilliantly choreographed action sequences this time. And because I have watched it enough number of times, watching it today, amidst lockdown with Covid-19 threatening my world, made my mind wander from the bewitchment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Well, I can't give all the credit to Marvel. Today, my day started with a discussion with my parents about how there are conflicting views about the lockdown. Because it definitely came at a cost. Then somewhere in the middle of the day, my wonderful friend texted reminding me that today is the one-year anniversary of Avengers: Endgame. We ended up discussing who would have thought that one year later our world would be at war and it would be the endgame.

Well, after watching the movie today and being isolated for over a month now, I feel like a Sokovian who wasn't lifted off the ground by the Ultron. I am one of those lucky ones who are not directly in the line of fire but if the threat is not minimized the fire is going to consume me too. I am lucky enough to work from home and have the resources to survive right here with me. Yet I hold no power. I am not the Ultron and, even in my wildest dreams, I cannot imagine being as mighty, powerful yet powerless as an Avenger. I am a bystander as long as I am untouched by the fire aimed at us. 

From here, I see Ultron. He truly believes that the evolution of this world will lead to a better future. He is sure that he has the right solution and he is going to make sure that it's implemented. I can understand where he is coming from. As far as he is concerned he is saving the world. What scares me as a bystander is that he holds the power to decide my fate. He is not the villain of my story yet he cannot be the hero because, whatever his goal is, he is not concerned about the collateral damage. That terrifies me. That he who holds the power doesn't consider the collateral damage. 

The airborne Sokovia consists of migrants, daily wage workers, sex workers, domestic help, and the whole informal employment sector. This is not all. There are many more who are caught in the crossfire. As a fellow Sokovian and privileged bystander, my heart breaks for them yet I am terrified that it's going to claim us too. Soon. Everything around me is crumbling down and there is a hole in my society that no matter what won't be filled again. 

Boy, what would I give to summon the Avengers right now. But I know it's nearly impossible. Not because I believe there are no heroes. There are mighty individuals within the society who choose to fight our demons, work towards a better future, rise from the ashes; who are more concerned about the collateral damage than anyone else. But maybe because our society is scattered and chaotic, the mighty are also scattered and in chaos. That's why I know there is no stopping Ultron. Because history has shown us time and time again that he who holds the power is not concerned about the collateral damage.