Proud to be an Earthling

[Just as disclaimer to all who read this, I wrote this piece in 2008 after an infuriating discussion with some "patriotic" classmates. I understand that anyone who is a part of this website is probably as aware, or even more aware of all this than I am, but I think the last paragraph is still important for all to read]

Its during those lonesome, rainy days, on which I sit in my plaid pajama pants and heavily warn beige slippers, casually slouched across the linens of my bed while watching the news on my small, ancient television that I really get to thinking about life; the life I live as a Durhamite, as a North Carolinian, as an American, as a white, Italian male, as a human being, as an animal trapped upon this strange, beautiful Earth. As the images, which the “liberal” network reports on whiz from the static glass screen to my fixated pupils, my mind is often filled with disgust. I see genocide in Darfur, an eternal bloodbath between the Muslims of Palestine and the Jews of Israel, I grind my teeth in agony at the footage of pandemonium caused by the American initiated civil war in Iraq, and I even bare witness to the racial atrocities between of my own country as the Jenna 6 case trudges onward. All of these terrors and the countless others that are neglected by the eye of the media have one similarity; Us Vs Them.
This simple concept, which forms the basis of our very cultural framework, seems to me, to be the root of all evil. Sometimes the basis of a friendly competition or sport, this ideal is not always bad. However, given the human tendency to self-segregate, and at the same time, fear what we do not understand, this kind of division often leads to horrors that we now face throughout the world today. Racism, sexism, classism ethnocitricism; all of these forms of hate-based injustice are derived from the classification of humans into subgroups, through which we form many biases of division and stereotypes of bigotry. This type of behavior was once natural, and used to be healthy—for animal would increase his or her chances of survival when part of a family or group. In this day and age however, it will be the death of the entire planet.
So as the rain patters down upon my windowsills, I gaze out into the world, and begin questioning; why does it have to be Us Vs Them? Democracy Vs Oppression, Black Vs White, Jew Vs Muslim, Catholic Vs Protestant, the list is as long as the solution list is short. More common than the description of one’s personality is the classification of their race, gender, and nationality. Why is this? The questions that I raise are not in any way mine originally. I hear the words of great thinkers of the past and present; Lincoln, King, Marley, Jesus, Obama; and I see that I am not alone in my desire for global unity. I see the thousands that are moved by the concepts that these men and women have conveyed, but no collective effort by anyone (up until now, including myself) to evoke any kind of change. Can we not be content to simply belong to the human race? To the Earthly race? Is there that much difference between these insignificant ethnic and geographic subgroups that for no other reason, the killing of a foreigner is warranted? Can we hate another race, simply because of their skin color? The answer to these questions today is sadly, YES.

The message that I raise however is that these occurrences are solely the product of our own conviction. We create these theoretical barriers between one another, and as more and more emphasis is placed on such variation, they become more and more easy to spot. Every time we segregate into our own groups, whatever the medium of division may be, the tendency to belong to such a collection is strengthened. Every time we fill out a survey dividing races, genders, or economic statuses, our inclusion into such groups is strengthened. Every paper we write, separating our own small corner of humanity from the rest of the world community, we drift further and further away from the concept of global unity. Every solute to the American flag seems to further disassociate us from the bonds that we share with our non-American brethren. Why is this?

I am not suggesting that humanity pretend as though differences in human personality do not exist; for each is beautiful, and should be a symbol of nature’s diversity. I simply would like to remind each and every mind into which these words travel, that they are still a part of the human race, the global community, Earth. Until we can embrace our differences with love and respect, instead of contempt and hostility, we will remain in the primitive violence that is at this very moment leading to the day in which our ultimate destruction will ensue.

So as a first personal step towards the hefty goal of world-peace, I submit to all, that I am not a Durhamite, as the characteristics of my city have greatly formed the person I am today, but do not define who I am. I am not a North Carolinian, and however unique the accents of people in each state are; they are of no effect to the words that they utter. I am not an American, and the culture that I live is beautiful; but not any better than that of Any other country. I am not Italian; my ethnicity is unique, and I have many a gift to share with my fellow man, however my uniqueness does not separate me from any others—it connects me to them. For once in my life, I am simply a Human Being. I am a resident of the planet earth, and have over 7 Billion brothers and sister. My extended family, all the nieces, nephews, and cousins, well I couldn’t even begin to count how many of those that I have.

It seems to me that any soldier would have a lot harder time looking down the barrel of a rifle at one of his brothers, than at just one of THOSE PEOPLE. I have a feeling suicide bomber would not want to detonate an explosive if he or she knew that the targeted city bus was full of their own family members. How could there even be war, if every Army wore the same uniform? As a last call to action, I would simply like to suggest that everyone take just a moment to refocus their sights on who they are, and where they come from—for ultimately the answers are all the same. Take a look at the world from space, and you will see that as one whole planet, we are much more beautiful than when divided into the silly little slices of a map. As a signifying step into a new paradigm of consciousness, an Earthling flag needs to be erected, and it is my dream that someday it will fly gracefully over top of the American flag that looms over the White House—and over every other capital of every other country as well. What better reminder cold there be, that we all belong to the same, beautiful family?