Pain Knows No Status: Questioning the Gatekeepers of Grief
There is a widespread, implicit consensus that overwhelming pain, deep emotional suffering, and suicidal ideation belong exclusively to the downtrodden, those who have endured severe hardships, faced financial distress, or failed to measure up to societal standards. This mindset falsely suggests that the wealthy or privileged have no right to feel what "normal" people experience, begging the question of who appointed anyone as the gatekeeper of human suffering. This gatekeeping extends in both directions, often criticizing those who achieve success or relocate to preserve their safety, lifestyle, and sanity. Disbelief routinely surfaces in public discourse, whether in dismissive claims that millions of dollars negate the right to be upset or prejudiced assumptions that a candidate's background ruins the sanctity of the White House—highlighting how quickly society discredits the authentic experiences of those labeled as outsiders. While it is often said that higher powe...