What it means to be human and not just a success of evolution.

I've been thinking about what makes humans differ from other species. Like all primates we have opposable thumbs. We’re constantly aspiring for technical advancement, better living conditions, better health care and longer lives.

While we live, we chase our career, the love of our lives, fame, happiness and what not.

What I've observed in recent times is a trend towards lack of empathy. We’re quick to judge. We click our tongues sympathetically when a tragedy strikes but we don’t take action. Nothing affects our daily routine until something bad happens to us or to someone we care about.

We categorize people according to stereotypes not once bothering about the person you are pointing at. Words hurt. It’s as simple as that. A careless remark is all that takes to shatter an already vulnerable person.

What do we lose by being kind? What do we lose by lending a helping hand to someone who needs it?  We spend thousands of bucks for the latest phone but we think about giving a few cents to a homeless guy. We cheer up our friends who are feeling blue. Why not talk to that stranger on the bus, who looks so sad and dejected? It might make his day.

The second thing which I want to talk about in relation to this article is something that has captured wide media attention in recent times. I’m talking about feminism.

All I want to say about that is, feminism means equality. Not bashing men. All humans wish to be treated equally in spite of religion, race, caste, creed, gender and sexual orientation.

Teach your sons not to hit girls and your daughters not to hit boys. Teach them to respect each other. Treat your sons and daughters equally. Pay men and women equal wages.

If it’s perfectly acceptable for a woman to be a homemaker, the society should accept it if a guy wants to be a homemaker.

If it’s perfectly okay for a guy to be focused on his career, it should be perfectly okay for a girl to focus on her career.

If a guy loves a girl it’s fine. It’s just as fine if a guy is in love with another guy or if a girl is in love with another girl.

Don’t mock people for being different. Don’t laugh at others because you can’t understand them.

The ability to change lives and inspire others. A warm smile and the gift of acceptance. That’s what humans need. That’s what we should give everyone. To stand up for what is right. To succeed and to fail. To live and let live. To be kind and to empathize. That’s what it means to be human. And this is just my opinion.