Humanity–Definitions to Ponder

When I was growing up I was proud to be a part of humanity because I felt like it truly was an honor to be able to express the quality of being humane, kind or benevolent (Random House definition #3). It made me warm and fuzzy inside as a teenager to think that the goal of humans was to express these wonderful qualities to each other, the earth and wildlife. I wrapped these idyllic qualities around myself and went out into the world, as a young state park naturalist, to make a difference.

Upon reaching the half-century mark, I observe the way we collectively mistreat ourselves, each other, the earth, and animals, and I cannot help but wonder, What happened? The #2 definition of humanity is: the quality or condition of being human. It seems we have changed what used to be a positive reality of humanity into something that, quite honestly, I am ashamed to be a part of many times.

As I was downstairs lifting weights this morning a wild turkey hen and two juveniles arrived at the glass door leading to the deck and invited me to watch them. I quickly bolted up two flights of stairs to get my video camera and returned to have a very close interaction with these wondrous creatures. My husband and I have been interacting with them on our walks around the mountain and have marveled at the intelligence and beauty of these wild birds.

Anxious to complete my workout and walk, I rushed through the workout and set out with camera in-hand to see if we could see them again.

We walked up and down and all around and only in the last few minutes of the walk did we see the turkeys. But this time trespassers to the mountain had their dog off leash and allowed her to chase this family of regal birds, to the point of encouraging Lucy to “get it.” The two hens and seven juveniles that call our mountain home scattered as best they could into trees, squawking and cackling as this large dog terrorized them.

I admit I’ve been a bit on edge covering the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I’ve been deeply disappointed in humans…in humanity (#1 definition–all beings collectively in the human race). In BP, our government agencies, tourism boards who put dollars above tourist’s health…yes, I’ve been on edge. Today I snapped. I looked at the guy, holding the empty leash in-hand and said, “I am PISSED off! We have a leash law for animals and I just told you baby turkeys were in this area.”

When did humans stop caring? When did we become so selfish? When did we put everyone and everything else aside to satisfy our own jolly’s? When did we, as a collective group of beings, redefine the word humanity to be a negative thing? We have reduced the quality of who we are…although there are kind and benevolent people on the planet (thank God!)…but as a whole we are failing. All we have to do is look around and see the fruits of our actions and behaviors…the oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, Nigeria, China and the continued drilling on sensitive land and waters…laws that protect corporations at the expense of our environment and our own health….blasting mountain tops for coal and destroying communities downslope….egocentric behaviors that are beyond belief. If we could only rise above our own deception and view what we’ve created from a higher perspective…..

Through this rant I have come to a point of realization. In order for there to be change, we must see the darkness we have created. Presented to us is a huge opportunity to change and grow into beings that are humane, kind and benevolent. It takes effort, sacrifice, and commitment but in the end, we can restore our ability to create a better world and to be proud to count ourselves among a collective of good people.