(ThySistas.com) Kindness should be human currency. Something we give as a gesture of the acknowledgement of the humanity of another individual. This is a bit different from being nice. There is a care associated with kindness that can remind someone that they are needed in the world. It can give someone the push they need to fight to stay alive if they are questioning the value of their life. Being human is hard when that very thing is questioned in the society one lives in. Racism in America is real. It is alive and well…it never died. Imagine seeing someone walk, talk, and live as a human being yet they register to you as sub-human or less. That is the existence of black people in this country.
It is a reality so embedded in this society there are black people that don’t realize they are not seen as human beings, and white people that don’t realize they don’t see them as human beings. As we battle with the deeper issues kindness really could save a life, and it doesn’t cost a dime.
It is important that we each sit down with ourselves and evaluate our thoughts on what it means to be human. No one in this world was
meant to exist apart from the fabric of humanity. No human being was meant to be a beast of burden relegated to a life of servitude. If you don’t believe that statement it would be difficult to truly understand the human care in kindness, because you deny such to human beings. What does it take to keep the disgusted look to one’s self when you walk past someone you don’t know that you deem as less than? Is it so hard to say thank you to the person that held the door? Does the words good morning hurt? If so, see someone minding their own business is it too much to leave them be? Can we participate in the kindness of allowing another human being to live their life in piece? These are real questions that should we face them could at the very least lead us to a path of kindness as we work out the rest of the mess racism has caused in this country. Right?
Well, then again, I guess the answer is no. I wish the above mentioned could work but it is out of order. Kindness would have kept many black people alive in this country, but the thing is you can’t have care for humanity if you don’t think we as black people are human. Before someone is quick to yell “I’m not a racist” or “I don’t see color” they should ask themselves, when was the last time they truly offered someone that isn’t of their community kindness.
If you see someone suffering and you have the power to help, even if it’s small, why wouldn’t you? Your moment of kindness is seeing someone. Giving kindness could be the difference between someone committing suicide and living. It could also be the difference between someone deciding there is still hope for peace, and someone deciding maybe the world should burn. Consider kindness in the journey of understanding and re-claiming humanity.
Staff Writer; Chelle’ St James
May also connect with this sister via Twitter; ChelleStJames.