Guest Contributor: Tasneem Sultan, Human Connections
What is humanity? We can picture it from many angles: as “mankind”, the human race, or the benevolence and compassion we show towards others. Being human means acting with love
and respect for all creatures on Earth and caring for our planet. Humanity is our global identity. As human beings, we all carry an equal status that connects us when respected. There are magnificent qualities associated with humanity, such as honesty, courage, kindness, and intelligence, which have led to remarkable advances in science and society. However, we must recognize the fact that the differences we could be celebrating with each other have also been some of the very things that have led to the harsh realities of war, military invasions, violence, and murder.
Today, humanity confronts deep crises that reflect an ugly face of humanity and which have resulted in the unimaginable violence that has destroyed many nations and civilizations in modern history. Some of the biggest humanitarian crises are ongoing in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir, and the Congo, where prolonged wars and communal violence have displaced millions and traumatized families, especially children. The damage is physical, psychological, and generational. Moreover, people are deprived of basic human necessities like food, shelter, and water. For example, 13 million people in Syria, including 4.8 million children, still need humanitarian assistance for the basic necessities of food, shelter, and medicine. We urgently need to address these humanitarian crises.
We seem to be losing our values and connections to our supposed shared humanity. Multiple societies have been tarnished by greed and power and have built a system of inequality. Many of us live in our bubble-like comfort zones, are intensely competitive in our
interests, and are divided into many social and political areas. Furthermore, the polarization of race, religion, and ethnicity is tearing us apart. The struggle for justice and equality suggests that humanity has failed, and that this lack of compassion may be a new revelation but not a new phenomenon. Nelson Mandela once said, "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." So, we wonder what direction we are taking. Can we have a decent life and find peace while so many of our fellow human beings are deprived of and struggling for their basic needs and rights?
The notion of a "Revival of Humanity" is a clear and loud call for positive human transformation and improved quality of life for all individuals and societies. A collective effort by individuals, communities, and nations is required for the revitalization of humanity to work
toward a more just and fulfilling future. It also requires building a coalition with various groups, reaching out to local and state representatives, and most notably, acknowledging the complexity of these issues and inspiring people to take meaningful actions. Identifying and addressing social and environmental issues, and tackling social problems (such as inequality and injustice, which prevent certain groups from accessing the same opportunities and resources as others) could demonstrate the true meaning of compassion, and would therefore be a true reflection of our humanity.
A willingness to confront complex challenges will be uncomfortable in the short term, but will ultimately lead to a better future for all.