The current state of our country and even around the world is not a “great” one right now (Global pandemic, US political climate, Humanitarian crisis’). These times can have many, like me, feeling hopeless and disappointed in humanity. We are quick to judge people about their views or how they are reacting to the world today. This country is more split on issues than ever and instead of hearing out our differences and trying to work together in spite of these differences, many resort to name-calling and belittling those with different views.
I know for myself I look at the news and on Facebook or Instagram or any other social media site and am shocked at the way people are treating each other, going from total strangers to sworn enemies in a matter of seconds. We have fallen from treating others with kindness and respect like how we would all want to be treated. During this pandemic, I’ve noticed tensions between those where there have not been tensions before. A global pandemic has become a political matter and people have become selfish in how they are treating others regarding this global pandemic with a mindset of “let me do what I want because I don’t care about this virus”. So many times I would hear people say “that guys so stupid he is wearing his mask while he is alone in his car” from many around me. We forget that we do not know what is going on in every stranger’s personal life, that person could be an uber driver or a grocery delivery driver and just because they are in the car alone doesn’t mean COVID- 19 is a threat. This person could be a doctor or a nurse who doesn’t want to breathe in or touch what is on the clothes they wore to work that day to protect their families.
We, as the human race, tend to forget that we all have our own personal battles we face every day without the outside world knowing. You will never know the extent of what is happening in someone’s personal life because you are not living life like them. I was raised to be selfless, kind, lend a helping hand when someone is in need, and to treat others how you would like to be treated. I feel as though we have forgotten those morals as a whole. Let this be a wake-up call or a reminder to maybe be a little nicer to the coffee shop worker who messed up your order or your waitress who is also a college student that works two jobs, is a single parent, and is running on two hours of sleep that day. If we treat each other with kindness we will see a real change in society, a much-needed change. Start treating those around you with kindness every day, focus on the positivity in your life, and see how your own daily life will improve. After all, we are all human.