The return of humanity
Humanity, it's what makes us human right? We all have different views and opinions on the true nature of humanity, and in times of crisis such as the one the world faces at the moment, it's ever so easy, though frankly inhumane, to turn a blind eye to other people's problems.
It would be impossible to capture everyone's idea of humanity, so let's go with the Oxford Dictionary definitions of the word:
1. people in general;
2. the state of being a person rather than a god, an animal or a machine;
3. the quality of being kind to people and animals by making sure they do not suffer more than is necessary; the quality of being humane;
4. the subjects of study that are about the way people think and behave, for example literature, language, history and philosophy.
One of these stands out. I'm not going to point out which one just yet, you'll have to read on a bit. First, let me paint you a picture of where we are in this story: it's been two months since lockdown started in South Africa and millions have lost their jobs, income and means to purchase food. This leaves not only the millions who are jobless without food, but also those reliant on the breadwinner in the house. Without an income, how can they do that?
Let me be Frank
Well, to be frank (I've always wanted to be Frank), they can't. So what are they to do, lie down and starve? Not in South Africa, my friend, oh no. Even if one of those millions dared to contemplate giving up, a neighbour will immediately step in. Say what you want on the topics of racism, corruption, narcissism or anything else ugly in this country, there is unbelievable beauty in our nation, and it starts with our people. People in Mzansi look out for each other.
I saw this in full force last week, when I was privileged to visit 10 soup kitchens in the greater Knysna area with the hope of shining a light on the people who pick others up when they're down. The vast majority (if not all) of the people who run the soup kitchens are normal individuals who do normal things when there's no worldwide pandemic. Nursery school teachers, entrepreneurs, house workers, retired pensioners - these are the jobs of only some of the amazing people I met.
What I saw at the first soup kitchen moved me to tears. To see hundreds of people shuffle in one by one, stand in line, all on a level playing field, with the utmost gratitude for those running the kitchen, is beautiful. To see kids, some not tall enough for their heads to reach table height, who are more disciplined with distancing and masks than adults, is something we all need. You have never been truly humbled until you are shown up by a child in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and a few people were left red in the face.
A joy to behold
The trend continued at every single soup kitchen I visited. Children (in the most adorable manner) battling to keep their masks up while they carry their now full containers back home. The absolute joy on the faces of the people who dish out the food to simply be able to help. Also, many of these soup kitchens wouldn't be possible without donors, and so many people have taken food off their shelves and money out their pockets to help those who need it more than they do. This, my dear reader, is to me the true nature of humanity. I'll let you decide which of the four Oxford definitions resonates with me.
What is humanity to you?