When the word "humanity" comes up, many think of the most basic definition: the human race. While that is an adequate definition, that is not the only concept that the word encompasses. Humanity also describes humanness, or benevolence; it describes the compassion, fraternity, and kindness that our kind can possess. However, in light of the tragedies in 2016 alone, one begins to wonder why, exactly, humans are equated with acts of love and consideration when all we seem to be capable of is hate and intolerance. In times of tragedy we point fingers at each other in blame rather than opening our arms in comfort.
From the 12 policemen shot in Texas, to the two different men who lost their lives earlier in the week, there has been an overwhelming amount of hate, and injustice. What the whole of mankind is failing to realize is this: members on both sides of the "argument" surrounding these incidents are hurting. Whether or not you think the police were justified in shooting those two unarmed men, or that the shooter in Dallas had every right, it doesn't matter. Skin color, political alignment, gender, and age shouldn't matter when it comes to grieving. Pain is pain, no matter who you are.
Think of the peace that would come if just once we could put away the political agendas and accusations in order to just comfort one another. Just once we could see things for what they are, that the world is a violent place no matter your race. That the world is unjust, and scary, and will cause you pain whether you're seen as an oppressor or the oppressed. Unity as a race can be powerful, just as it had shown in the Black Lives Matter movement, regardless of whether or not you believe it is a good thing or a bad thing. Imagine what unity as humankind would look like. Think of the changes we could make!
Violence would still be present, no doubt about that, but it would happen far less frequently if we stood together as one. If we shoulder the blame for the tragedies as one, rather than as black or white, we can work toward a solution that will help the world as a whole. It is inefficient to take steps forward as a race, or gender, or even a single person. So much more ground can be covered if we walk the road together. If we are going to make sharing this planet work, we are going to need to accept one another, rather than simply tolerate. Tolerance is a good step, but we will always be at odds if we do not accept our differences at face value.
Maybe the next time something so tragic, and painful, and terrible happens we can join up as one and comfort those in need rather than be so quick to point a finger at someone. Maybe we can soothe the hurt with love rather than with more hate. Maybe we can accept that we are all inhabitants of this Earth whether we are black, white, male, female, or whatever you choose to identify as. We are all human, and it's time to start acting like the brothers and sisters we are, rather than fighting like enemies.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -Martin Luther King Junior
