The history of mankind is filled with the story of love and hate, joy and sadness, happiness and pain; a plague of”man’s inhumanity to man” . Every nation, culture, society, race and tribe has recorded human divide and hate-driven conflicts – intolerance caused as a direct result of our differences.
Today, we often identify ourselves by our skin color, gender, religion and status. We perceive other people as different from us and sometimes treat them differently; we only love/associate with the people we CHOOSE to.
For most people, this is the comfort zone. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most lethal zones. A great leader and humanist once said “no one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People LEARN to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be TAUGHT how to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite“.
Indeed, the narrative must change if we are to live in a peaceful and convivial world. We were made for love, and our happiness is bound to love. We only experience true happiness when we love others for who they are. We find true purposefulness when we appreciate the uniqueness of every individual and celebrate it. Human dignity is key, and as such it is treating everyone with a sense of respect.
In crucial things, unity. In important things, diversity. In ALL things, generosity.
George H. W. Bush
But if we spend our whole lives pointing out everyone’s differences, and rating each one as good or bad, we miss out on all the ways we can connect – all the ways we are similar.
Imagine a world where people celebrate that which unites, rather than divide. Imagine a world where the richness of each culture, race, religion, nation, gender is honored and celebrated. Imagine a world where our stories aren’t of wars, but of love and unity.
Let us be ambassadors of love, and do all we can to create an inclusive world – one community at a time. We need each other to survive. No one should be left behind. Every great leader fought for a more united and just world. If we seek greatness as continental leaders, we must continue to promote the gospel of unity, acceptance, appreciation, diversity, celebration and intercultural inclusion. Right here, right now, let us commit to be truly human.
