There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self – Henri Frederic Amiel
While we are figuring out how to deal with tragedy, civil unrest, hate, violence, anger, racism, and inequality – I want to remind you of something. We are more than this. We are built and equipped to rise above this through our human intellect, heart, and soul.
The intense emotions are justified, no doubt. People have a right to use their voice and stand up for their rights. In order to rise above the noise, it takes each of us to look in the mirror and honestly see where we are biased in our judgments, as we all have them. It takes this assessment of humility to acknowledge that I am not better than you and you are not better than me.
Categorizing individuals into major groups based on assumptions, such as all women are nurturing and all men are tough continue to force labels on people that are inaccurate. While it is easier for us to organize people in this way to think we are more understanding of who they are and what they want, we are doing a disservice to every man and woman out there, because we aren’t taking the time to know them – and respect them – as individuals.
Disliking groups of people based on gender, religion, race, etc. shows fear and discomfort of differences. True strength lies in the acceptance of people, wherever they are at on their learning curve. True power lies within oneself in using your voice to be heard and standing up for your rights – and the rights of everyone around you.
Psychologically, we process at different speeds – and we express ourselves in different ways. By perceiving this with empathy and compassion, we open ourselves up to a world that is strong – not because we are all the same – but because we are all different. Each and every one of us.