Rehumanizing (part 1)
Not a Passive Endeavor
In our world today, we face the insidious process of dehumanization. It often begins in subtle ways, through language and imagery, and over time, it chips away at the dignity of others. Dehumanization is the primary instrument of violence that has been used in every genocide recorded throughout history. When people are dehumanized, they are stripped of their humanity, which allows violence and oppression to be rationalized and justified. This process is gradual, but devastating. At first, we may begin with mere words—calling someone less than human, or using images that strip them of their inherent dignity. But eventually, once a person or group is seen as subhuman, it becomes easier to harm them, to oppress them, or even to extinguish their lives. This is a historical truth that we must recognize and actively resist. It is crucial for us to remember that the dehumanization of any person is the dehumanization of us all. To fight this process, we must first become aware of its power and actively choose to reject it at every turn.
Human beings are not wired for violence. We are actually hardwired neurobiologically to not hurt one another. Our brains, our very biology, are designed to protect one another, to care for one another. This is an evolutionary survival mechanism. As social creatures, we are interconnected, reliant on one another for survival. We care for the weak, the vulnerable, and the marginalized because it is essential to the preservation of the group. However, over time, society has taught us to override this natural impulse, particularly when emotions like fear, anger, or hatred cloud our judgment. Dehumanization exploits these emotions, causing us to view others as less than human. It tricks us into abandoning our innate empathy and compassion, and it makes it easier to harm others. But we must understand that while dehumanization is often rooted in these negative emotions, it is not natural to us. It is a learned behavior, one that can be unlearned if we choose to return to our true nature—one of compassion, empathy, and care.
Dehumanization is not a social justice tool.
It is emotional offloading
— Brené Brown
The impact of dehumanization goes far beyond the victims of oppression; it affects those who perpetrate it as well. This is a crucial point to understand. Dehumanization serves as a way for us to release our anger, fear, and frustration, but it does not serve the cause of justice. Rather than addressing the root causes of our social issues—inequality, injustice, or systemic oppression—dehumanization simply offers an emotional outlet. It allows us to project our negative feelings onto others, making them the "enemy," thus relieving us of the responsibility to confront our own biases and discomfort. But this approach does not bring about real change. True social justice requires us to engage with one another in ways that promote healing, empathy, and understanding, not in ways that escalate division and hatred.
It is vital that we recognize and honor the dignity of human life at every opportunity. Let your whole life be a creative testimony to the dignity of human life. In every action, in every word, we are called to uphold the inherent value of every human being. Whether we are confronting issues like abortion, police brutality, capital punishment, or torture, we must remember that every life has inherent worth. We do not get to pick and choose whose dignity matters based on political ideology, religion, or personal belief. All people, regardless of their station in life or their views, are deserving of respect and dignity. This understanding is not just theoretical—it's something we must demonstrate in our actions. By living a life that affirms the dignity of all people, we create a culture where respect for life is not just an ideal, but a reality.
There is a line. Etched in Dignity.
Dehumanizing others crosses that line.
— Brené Brown
This line marks the boundary between honoring humanity and eroding it. When we allow ourselves to engage in dehumanization—through harsh words, violent actions, or indifference—we cross that line. We begin to treat others as objects, as things to be manipulated or destroyed. And when we do this, we lose a part of ourselves. Our own dignity is diminished because we become complicit in the violence that we inflict on others. We cannot uphold the dignity of others without also upholding our own. In this way, dehumanization is not just a crime against others, it is a crime against our own souls. It is essential, therefore, that we resist the temptation to cross that line, and instead, we must choose to live in a way that affirms the dignity of all people.
Rehumanizing the world is not a passive endeavor. Rehumanizing empowers the courage to embrace our humanity. It is an active, intentional process that requires us to confront our fears, our biases, and our discomforts. It requires us to acknowledge the ways in which we have been complicit in the dehumanization of others and take responsibility for changing our behavior. Rehumanizing also involves embracing the vulnerability that comes with being human. To recognize our shared humanity means to recognize our shared flaws, fears, and vulnerabilities. It is only through this recognition that we can build a more compassionate, empathetic world—one where we value one another not for our differences, but for our shared human experience.
Rehumanizing begins by understanding how scarcity is affecting how we lead. In a world dominated by fear of loss, whether it’s resources, power, or social standing, we are often driven to act out of a sense of scarcity. This mindset fosters division and competition, rather than cooperation and unity. But true rehumanization begins when we shift from a mentality of scarcity to one of abundance—when we understand that we are all interconnected and that there is enough for everyone. This shift in perspective allows us to lead with compassion, creativity, and a sense of shared purpose. It is through this mindset that we can build a more inclusive, equitable society where every person’s dignity is recognized and honored.
In our efforts to create a more just world, we must engage in difficult conversations. We can all learn to value human dignity in word and deed. This requires us to speak with care, to consider the impact of our words before we speak them, and to resist the temptation to vilify others. It means focusing on the issues at hand, not on attacking individuals, and it calls us to approach disagreements with a spirit of humility and respect. When we speak about the issues rather than the people involved, we open the door to productive dialogue and mutual understanding. Even in the face of disagreement, we must maintain a commitment to upholding human dignity. In this way, we can create a culture that not only tolerates differences but values them as part of the richness of our shared humanity.
Rehumanizing the world requires us to confront the deeply ingrained habits of dehumanization that exist within ourselves and society. It challenges us to reclaim our innate empathy, to resist the forces of division and hate, and to live in a way that honors the dignity of all people. Through courage, compassion, and the ongoing practice of rehumanization, we can transform our world into one that truly reflects the inherent worth and beauty of every human being.
