Humanity as the Chain to the Individual and The Collective

The individual confronts a destructive force as it rises at morning; not of the likes of a mythical dragon, a conniving witch, or a barbaric troll, but instead, it is much more raw, sinister, and remarkably real. Perhaps, it would be preferable to slay the dragon, burn the witch or defeat the troll, than breast the lingering, nauseating, cloying feeling of dreadful powerlessness. The solution would then be quite simple, straightforward even. The mythical creature’s power is tangible, and triumph can prevail against the tangible. Global geopolitical fragmentations, perpetual wars, digital revolutions and natural deterioration forge a powerful, unpredictable crucible of transformation. Hence, for the individual, uncertainty acts as a superseder of reality, which shows itself through a perpetual state of isolation.

The contemporary individual is plagued by this isolation, loneliness, and crippling powerlessness. The destructive force acts like a spectacle, seeping into one’s every breath until it consumes it whole. Yet, where does powerlessness get its power? From the dissevered filaments that once joined our immaterial essences as one. The tendency to dehumanize the other separates the individual, legitimizes and feeds the uncertain dread. Humanity is stripped when we see only the bodily vessel, not the vulnerability that exists within. Real power should not come from dominion over the weak. Instead, it comes from radical acts of courage to beget connection where isolation once persisted. Humanizing the other transcends language, as empathy is the great equalizer, creating the roots for a long-lasting community.

Cosmic matter swirls in galaxies as one roams around in separate orbits, forgetting that all, regardless of age or nationality, are made of the same stellar dust and the same desperate longing for belonging. True community building necessitates the intentional fostering of relationships that transcend the artificial boundaries of age, nationality and cultural background. This comes through acknowledging those who surround us: by humanizing those whom fear would render faceless, and whom uncertainty would forget. Lasting community demands moving beyond the comfortable homogeneity, seeking connection from those whose experiences differ. Transnational and multi-generational communities begin small within one’s own community, by humanizing the other in order to dismantle preconceived notions. These initial contact zones serve as laboratories for developing the social capital and intercultural perception necessary for broader community integration. Through the act of humanization, the individual moves toward genuine intercultural and multigenerational dialogue that acknowledges difference and commonality. For when the sun sets, and the moon takes over, the individual is not just one, but many. Create a chain from the individual to the collective, link-by-link, soul-by-soul.