Everybody’s definition of being human is different. To some it means that they have a body, soul, and a spirit and to others it means having the capacity to plan for the future, wonder, express ourselves creatively and feel compassion for others. Being human can mean anything. To me being human means expressing emotions, loving one another and using your power for good and not for evil. Humans rule the earth and we have so much capacity to change the world. Use your power for good, smile at someone and show compassion for others. Life is hard and as humans we have the ability to chose the way we react. “Being human is a given. But keeping our humanity is a choice.”
In our society, the words “be a man” are heard far too often. There is no definition of being a man. Being a man just means that you are a human who has male anatomy. Men can be sensitive, and they can be tough. When I think of what it means to be a man, I think of my dad. My dad is looked at as our protector and guardian. He is strong and tough, but has a sensitive side. If you look at what it means to be a man through an evolutionary standpoint, men were the hunters and gatherers, along with being the protectors.
When I looked up what some thought it means to be a women I was not surprised with the responses. Some thought it means using their bodies to get what they want and some thought it meant breaking out of the stereotype and being strong. Just like with men, there is no definition for being a women. I think being a women is equal to being a man. Women can be sensitive, moody and emotional. They can also be strong, brave and fight just as hard as anybody else. Way back in the stone age, women were there to be the caretakers, but now women are working and raising families. I don’t think there is a definition for being a man or a women, I just think everyone should be themselves, whoever that may be.
As a non-artist I don’t know how an artist expresses, and speaks to the world through their art. Artists are just people. Their creativity sparks and carries their message.Through their art they express emotion, break down barriers and fight for justice. Art comes in all forms which makes many different types of artists, but regardless of their art of choice they are all just humans.
“Our instance on cognitive knowing may have already robbed us of some of our capacity for being human.” In our society we have norms and expectations. These expectations put people under a microscope and forms humans into stereotypes. Stereotypes hurt the capacity of people being themselves. We are put under such scrutiny to be the way society expects us to be that it can stifle our individual sense of humanity.
You said, "to me being human means expressing emotions, loving one another and using your power for good and not for evil." There are people that do unspeakable things. Are they no longer human once they commit those acts? Doing the right thing should be a priority for us humans, but it isn't always. Is one's humanity really defined by his/her ability to use his/her, "power for good and not for evil"? If it is, then are any one us human? You can't, or don't, do what's right every time, and sometimes there are no right answers, only wrong ones. In instances like that, do you lose your humanity, or is it determined on a case to case basis? Who determines your humanity? Who has the right to?
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