Humanity

Let’s take this moment to remember how much we have settled into a space where we aren’t aware of our humanity.? Fearing the fall of capitalism, democracy, or even genocide, war, and death are parts of our lived experience.? The meaning of life, for some, is suffering itself.? I believe that if we can recenter our sense of humanity, we can extend it to others, and the gift of humanity will get us through the horrors of the human experience.

Heavy open, Jess—I know—and I need to get your attention (as well as mine).

Historically, we are long overdue for an assassination attempt. The picture in this article is of McKinley’s assassination, which led to the creation of the Secret Service Presidential Protections that we know today.? I stand by no one deserves to be murdered – not a 20-year-old loner – not a retired firefighter – not Donald J. Trump.? Please take a moment to notice who it is easier for you to give humanity to. ?

I found myself questioning as I watched the news little facts that came in, like:

• The OBGYN or ER nurse who was in the stands and jumped into action: Why are medical professionals at a Trump rally? The answer is that they, like all people, have a wide variety of belief systems.
• Why was a retired firefighter there with his wife and daughters? Because they, like all people, have a wide variety of belief systems.
• Why was a 20-year-old registered Republican on the roof in the first place? Because they, like all people, have a wide variety of belief systems. Moreover, there may have been communication gaps, and law enforcement on the scene may not have taken this person seriously as a threat, and that seemed to be a lifelong experience for the shooter. Because they, like all people, have a wide variety of belief systems.
• Why was my first thought a conspiracy theory about this being done on purpose for attention? To add energy to a martyr campaign? Then, processing my feelings about the difference a quarter of an inch would have made in the world. Then, I apologize for wishing harm because I don’t want to be that kind of person. Because I, like all people, have a wide variety of belief systems.

To remember humanity is to give space for lived experience.? My lived experience has taught me who and how to be in the world.? Their lived experience has taught them that showing up this way makes them feel safe and prepared.? This is giving grace.

I had a conversation with someone the day after the assassination attempt about being able to go back in time and kill bad people before they can do bad things.? The person I was talking with used baby Hitler as her example.? I asked, “Instead of killing one person to prevent the millions of murders that one person is responsible for, what if the United States took responsibility for genocide (failed attempts they may be) and for outlawing identities and cultures in the first place giving Hitler a roadmap of how to do this in Germany in exchange for power?? Indian Laws and Jim Crow Laws set the example for the world of how to legally oppress and exterminate unwanted peoples from land.? We have yet to do this because, collectively, we in the United States are still negotiating a sense of humanity for all humans.

Learning from history is never too late—we can start anytime. The antidote to suffering is the peace required to find a sense of empathy for ourselves and others during these complicated times. The alternative is history repeating itself until we learn the lesson.