I asked someone what he would have done if given the chance to create himself. His words were:

First, I would choose to come from a developed nation with lots of opportunities. I would make myself to be taller, more masculine and more handsome. I would also come from a wealthy background with lots of influence. Finally, I would make myself to be super smart such that I would be able to come up with novel ideas that can transform the world.

I am certain we all would love to either add or remove from certain traits we already possess if we were allowed to create ourselves. We all however have the opportunity to work on ourselves and improve who we are. We struggle everyday and make conscious effort to be better than who we are. However, no matter how hard we try, there are things we cannot change about ourselves. An appreciation and understanding of this underscores why we should place humanity first in our day-to-day relationship with people.

Sometimes I shudder when I hear people describe others in derogatory manners. Making disparaging remarks about people's looks, ethnic group, religion and marriage. When you call someone 'short and ugly', did you understand that the person did not have any hand in his/her creation? When you body-shame people, do you ever consider the person's self-esteem and what you are doing to it? Many people who are wallowing in low self-esteem today are because of the negative influence from the society. Suicidal thoughts and suicide itself are sometimes triggered by feeling of worthlessness. Before you tell someone how bad they are looking or how good-for-nothing they are, please first of all understand that they had no hand in their creation.

We are humans first before we become any other thing or person. Before we became Hispanics, Latinos, Blacks, Whites, etc; we were first humans. Before we became Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Traditionalists, Atheists, etc; we were first humans. Before we became rich, we did not have anything. At least, none of us were delivered with wealth in our arms. Everything we have today, we got from others; either we acquired them or we were given. In the real sense, we all are one. We all were created to be humans. Racism, ethnicity, religion and class/status are all societal coinage. They were made and defined by the society. You and I never chose them.

Why the hate? Why warring amongst ourselves? Why should you rise to harm or hurt a fellow human? I have always proposed that understanding and elevation of the concept of humanity above elements of societal division like religion and race holds the panacea to the peace we seek in our contemporary societies. When we understand that many of us are weak, yet humans; when we understand that those who are not following our religions are not inferior to us and should not be seen as enemies; when we appreciate the effort of others no matter how insignificant they are; when we appreciate that we should not make deliberate or conscious effort to hurt others for our own personal benefit; when we realize we need to comport ourselves in a deserving manner and be honest in our dealings with people especially when we are called to serve them; that's when we would have the society we all desire.

Source

You're a human, be humane. This is a clarion call for us to make adjustments in the way we see and treat others. We all are humans and we should give precedence to that above every other thing.

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I am @winningman