Why do we treat one another with such hostility, as if we are aliens from different planets? Is it because we truly are—each shaped by distinct predispositions, experiences, cultures, and beliefs? Do our differences divide us, or do we simply refuse to examine and practice civility? While human interaction is anything but simple, what is simple is our ability to choose: to listen before reacting, to seek understanding before judgment, and to engage with empathy rather than assumption. In a world that thrives on contrast and connection, the tension between light and dark, struggle and triumph, isolation, and unity – the question is not whether we differ, but whether we are willing to bridge those differences with respect, grace, and intention.

“In my view, our differences in perspective and preference far outweigh our similarities—yet it is precisely this diversity that defines our shared humanity.” – Rochelle Soetan, Writer & Mental Health Advocate

When I think of humankind in this way, I am acutely reminded of the extraordinary work of Award-winning filmmaker Monda Raquel Webb, who meticulously crafted the 2019 short film Zoo (Volkerschau)—a haunting portrayal of the last known human zoo at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium. This powerful story is rooted in the historical atrocity of the Brussels fair, where an African girl was placed on display as an exotic curiosity, forced to exist as a spectacle of otherness. Webb’s story delves deeply into the profound layers of this tragic event, exploring the complexity of human beings reduced to objects of spectacle. Through the lens of one German girl who arrives at the fair adorned in lace naivety, unprepared to confront the stark realities of exploited innocence, Zoo unearths the disturbing ways humanity finds freedom in captivity. The film masterfully unravels the unsettling collision between innocence and oppression, while exploring the depths of human resilience in the most dehumanizing circumstances.

“Human rights education is key to addressing the underlying causes of injustice around the world.” – Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International

To be human is to embrace interconnectedness—to recognize oneself in another, and to practice empathy, kindness, and compassion daily. It is to navigate the moral and ethical contradictions of our lives, seek certainty in an uncertain world, crave freedom while yearning for belonging, and carry joy and suffering in the same breath. Humanity as a collective is a paradox—a story still being written with every experience, every question, every choice. To be human is to embrace both our brilliance and our flaws, to accept that imperfection is not a failure but an essential part of growth. The mistakes we make and the lessons we learn shape not only our individual journeys but the evolving narrative of our shared existence. In our contradictions, we find meaning; in our struggles, we discover resilience; and in our connections, we reaffirm the profound significance of being human.

Human Rights in the United States, and around the world, are unraveling, as systemic injustices and regressive policies continue to strip communities of their fundamental freedoms. Nearly 60 years after ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the nation remains unwilling to confront the living legacies of slavery, the dispossession of Indigenous peoples, and the deep roots of racial injustice.

“When I look at the world I am a pessimist, but when I look at people I am an optimist.” – Carl Rogers, The Humanistic Psychologist

In 2024, the assault on human dignity intensified—abusive border policies, the cruel treatment of migrants and asylum seekers, and the relentless erosion of reproductive rights painted a stark picture of exclusion and control. New threats to LGBT rights and voter suppression tactics, disproportionately targeting communities of color, exposed a chilling reality: human rights are not just under threat; they are under attack. The urgency to resist, to challenge, and to demand better has never been greater.

“When we choose to love, we choose to move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect, to find ourselves in the other. – Bell Hooks, Social Activist, Writer, Lecturer

Human rights matter because they affirm the dignity and worth of every person, reminding us that justice, freedom, and equality are not privileges but birthrights. To see others as human is to move beyond ego, to recognize the struggles and aspirations that bind us, and to cultivate a compassion that transcends difference. It means embracing the responsibility to protect and uplift, to ensure that no one is stripped of their humanity by oppression or neglect. Being present with one another—in our pain, our resilience, and our shared longing for dignity—is the foundation of a just world. When we honor human rights, we affirm the simple yet profound truth: our humanity is interconnected, and its protection is our collective duty.

“You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity.” – Nelson Mandela