Discussion Fighting for the right to choose to die isn't new, why don't we hear about it?

[lyles]

I know that suicide and death are rather taboo subjects, and that the conversations are shut down for the sake of not allowing narratives that defy the status quo, but I wish that more discussion on suicide was had in a historical and philosophical sense outside of niche areas like this.

I recently found this quote from Wendy Williams (a punk artist), who killed herself.
"The act of taking my own life is not something that I do without a lot of thought. I don't believe that people should take their own lives without deep and thoughtful reflection over a considerable period of time. I do believe strongly, however, that the right to do so is one of the most fundamental rights anyone in a free society should have. For me much of the world makes no sense, but my feelings about what I am doing ring loud and clear to an inner ear and to a place where there is no self, only calm. Love always, Wendy."

Her note sounds a lot like things I have said or heard other people say here as well. Humans have been struggling with this for as long as we have lived, it seems.

 

[FuneralCry]

Of course, we do not hear about it much as suicide is so stigmatised. We live in a society that tries to force us to live and expects us to suffer until old age. I do wish that our right to die is always respected and we can talk openly about these topics. We live in a world where there is so much suffering after all, and it is not surprising that so many people are suicidal. People should be able to exit peacefully rather than having to resort to risky and painful methods to leave this world. In a world like this, wanting suicide can be perfectly rational. I have came to the conclusion that my life is simply not worth living.
Thank you for sharing the quote and I wish you the best.

 

[lyles]

Of course, we do not hear about it much as suicide is so stigmatised. We live in a society that tries to force us to live and expects us to suffer until old age. I do wish that our right to die is always respected and we can talk openly about these topics. We live in a world where there is so much suffering after all, and it is not surprising that so many people are suicidal. People should be able to exit peacefully rather than having to resort to risky and painful methods to leave this world. In a world like this, wanting suicide can be perfectly rational. I have came to the conclusion that my life is simply not worth living.
Thank you for sharing the quote and I wish you the best.

I agree for sure. I really wish we could speak more openly about it without such intense backlash. I am sorry for how you are suffering too, I am wishing you the best too. It means a lot to hear your thoughts and get your input. I hope you find some peace soon. <3

 

[hankbank3928]

I agree with you, I think the right to die should be brought up more in today's society. I think part of the reason why is because all of its advocates are to busy trying to ctb and/or are dead.

 

[novem]

Nobody in the ruling class wants to be associated with death, and they likely will never experience poverty, psychological problems or severe illness in order to change it for themselves.

 

[Graytaichi]

They are just in deniel that they never will aged if they got the assets

 

[Niko66]

I believe we will get there. The way the world is headed with out of control capitalism and climate change, human lives being paradoxically more valued and yet more worthless than ever in history, out issues become more and more existential rather than that of survival only. There just aren't enough of us there yet.

 

[now_or_never]

There is a new organization called The Right to No Longer Exist, you should check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRightToNoLongerExist

 

[Al Cappella]

The fact that it's a double-whammy has something to do with it as well. Right now, the largest group of suicidal folks are also struggling with mental illness. MI is still very much stigmatized too. And people forget that this is all very new, having only really come out into the open over the last 40 years. It will come as things move forward. That said, it's our job to lead with this stuff if we want it out there more…