Journey to becoming better human being – 44

Can others be different and yet equal?

 

We were discussing about the education. Some get very well-developed education some others get nominal and many others get no opportunity at all. With such vast differences, is it not obvious that the inequality will go on widening? We proposed the topic of inequality for our weekly meeting.

 

“Affirming equality of all human being is one of the six tenets of Humanist Attitude.”

 

We knew that Humanist Attitude refers to the approach to life with aspiration of building a human society. We live in a time where there is a lot of talk about humanity but in fact it is a dehumanised world. It is vital to understand the finer aspects of this perspective.

 

It is generally believed that everyone is equal in front of law. But on deeper scrutiny we find that the laws protect and support those with more resources. The legal processes are lengthy and costly resulting in access according to the availability of resources. The laws do talk about fundamental rights. But the rights to property is more important and is protected far strongly than the right to food and shelter.

 

Most of the religions talk about equality of all human being. All human beings are considered as children of the same god. And yet it is a common sight that some of the most pious people are harsh to other human beings placed in disadvantageous situation.

 

There are people pursuing spiritual studies of cosmic or universal consciousness suggesting that each human being is manifestation of the same consciousness. Yet many of them are unable to apply the same in their interactions with other human beings in daily life.

 

“Who are we to judge others? Let us look at our own behaviour.”

 

As usual we were reminded that it is not fair to comment on others. Instead what is more important is to reflect on our own life. As we focussed on our life, it became clear that we were placed in far better situation than many others. We were privileged to have better education and better opportunities in life. We had better living conditions and greater freedom to pursue our areas of interest.

 

Our discussion turned embarrassing when we started talking about domestic helpers at home. We pay them salary and in turn they do some low skill work at our home. Are they equal to us or unequal?

 

We and our parents have worked hard to earn the living that we enjoy. Does it mean that it should be same for all? Even if we do not want to attribute it to Karma, are there not laws of cause and effect?

 

It has been generally asserted that taxes are paid by few and benefits are often distributed among poor, who seem to do nothing to come out of their situation. Should they be still treated as equal? Afterall has communism, that talked about equality of all human being, not failed?

 

We rarely had such heated discussion and debate. In our heart we felt agreement with the proposal of equality of all human being but in practical life we seem to find several flaws with it.

 

“What is meant is the equality of opportunity and not similarity in everything.”

 

Among people there are different roles and different abilities. There are different tasks and there is dignity of job with no task lower than the other. There are different aspirations and different levels of effort. There is diversity and in fact we celebrate it. So, what is meant here is not equality in these terms.

 

The domestic helper certainly has different roles and tasks, but he too needs to be respected as human being. With different efforts people will develop deferential capabilities but what is important is that all should be given equal opportunities to develop the same. The life of a person in poor country is as dear to him as life is to a person in rich country.

 

The development of the humanity has taken place over centuries and is not monopoly of a few.  As such, every child born in today’s time should have access to its fruits, irrespective of whether it is born in a poor family or rich.

 

We realised that irrespective of the roles, position, capabilities and many other differentiating factors, at core, all human beings are equal, deserve to be respected as human being and given equal opportunity by the society to grow. Compared to a distant past the equality has certainly grown but even now great disparities prevail.

 

It is not by feeling guilty about the prevailing inequality, but instead by actively promoting the need of equality of all human beings, that we can contribute to building a better human world.

 

The beauty of humanist attitude is that it leads us to valid actions and gives a great positive experience. When I see the same humanness in all human beings despite great external diversity, I realise the richness of my learning.

 

Feeling fortunate for such phenomenal insights about humanity, I was moving ahead in my journey to becoming better human being.