siegfried liu
I call upon all human beings, existing on the basis of innate kindness, to join hands and hearts, and to recognize the fundamental principles of equity, justice, diversity, respect, and inclusion. The functioning of our loving and supportive society relies on these principles, our acts of appreciating commonalities and divergences, acknowledging progress and deficits, and our tendency to see good in all situations. Failing to uphold these standards would result in a gradual deterioration of trust in the society we call home and the people we call family, and can be only reconciled through the belief in the power of these values. It is altogether fitting and proper that in the efforts to avoid tragedies attempting to disregard the inalienable rights of all humans, we reiterate, emphasize, and uphold the capabilities and resilience of the principles of equity, justice, diversity, respect, and inclusion, alongside our countless efforts, both silent and aloud, with the aspirations of protecting the sacredness of life.
Critical times often perpetuate the aptitude of prioritizing oneself for opportunities in the face of adversity. However, it is equally essential for us to recognize that approaching hardship with the attitude of highlighting the bonds and sharing difficulties through said bonds is the way to drive all of us together into a better predicament. Until we pull each other out of quicksand, none of us are free from its tugging wrath, because no matter how elusive the connection might be, we are all threads knotted together. To strive for the impossible vision of ensuring equity, respect, and justice for all humans, we must first acknowledge each other. The dream may seem grand or fantasy-like, but its roots stem from the fabric of our reality and the sights we see everyday. From routine tragedies and heartaches, we must distill our aspirations in powerful words and take actions according to those ideals.
We, the people, exist no matter what labels or markers others have placed on us or attempted to erase from us, will always be a challenge to alter and expand the way against limitations. Existing is the self-sustaining way of kindling humanity. We often speak of self-expression, with the emphasis on “expression”. However, the keyword is “self”. Expression is a decorative noun added as an extension for the self, aiming to manifest the self into material. Hence, the physical self embodies the spiritual self, meaning that the existence of the self, either physical or spiritual, is a poignant statement. Let us take pride in the power within us that allows us to be. We are all shedding light on the people standing next to us, intentionally or unintentionally, making the world a better place.
Our society is built on the foundation of trust. Besides legal restrictions, there are other moral guidelines put in place that do not reach the level of law yet exist on the basis of trust and respect. We rely on our trust that others will follow these guidelines collectively in search of a better environment. Trust not only fosters a potent bond between individuals but also relieves society of the burden of constant skepticism. Acts of trust display faith in humanity and the willingness to see good and light as opposed to responding instinctively with doubt and fear. In times of uncertainty, we must set our sights and hearts upward. Much concern is placed on the amount of trust given to newcomers, and there are people who squander the trust that other people had in them. To have trust is not equivalent to turning a blind eye to instances where trust is broken and agreements are violated, but simply having a high level of belief from the very beginning. Pessimists will be correct on occasion, yet optimists will always strive forward. Only with trust and optimism are we able to divert the hyperfixations on minute lapses and move forward.
Humans are nothing if not different. From the most fundamental biological differences in heredity and mutations to stunning cultural diversities, we survive and thrive because we are different. That diversity stems in the freedom to explore and experiment according to one’s curiosity and the eternal struggle of finding one's true self. Difference is the sign of humanity. A homogeneous society lacks the spread and depth to support itself and all its members within. Suppressing differences in physicality, preferences, opinions, and identity is against the fundamental characteristics of what makes us humans and what enables us to be true to ourselves. We are all different, whether those differences are socially accepted or not, and are all celebrated because of it. In that divergence, we all possess emotions, perspectives, and opinions that differ to those next to us. Let us return power to differences, and uphold the values to make space for all thoughts. Every single response to stimuli is valid and original, and suited for the experience and inheritance of every one of us. However, it is equally important to stress the limits to expressing those actions and reactions. Similar to the restrictions to freedoms which I will elaborate below, the limits to expressing diverse opinions are based on the ground principle of not attacking other people’s rights.
The most essential aspect of democracy is its resilience and patience. Democracy isn’t simply the answer to everything, it is also the process. Like every other method of decision-making, mistakes regularly happen in a democracy, and it is inevitable that we make mistakes collectively. In contrast to other forms of decision making though, democracy is able to bounce back every time and correct its mistakes. We, the people, will serve as guardrails and supervision to every decision made, in efforts to ensure the best outcomes. Our supervision of power requires us to put trust in the system. With our constant efforts of course correction, we have to give equal effort and patience that democracy will prevail. When mistakes are made, we shall raise our voices and attempt to minimize damage and reverse errors. The etymology of “democracy” can be broken down into two simple pieces: the people, and rule, beautifully put by President Abraham Lincoln when he said, “of the people, by the people, for the people”.
Respecting the way of humanity is the way democracy is maintained. That respect is given in the form of freedoms that do not interfere with other people’s freedoms. Freedom to stand wherever one may desire does not give one the right to stand on other people’s toes. Equally, the rights to humanity, identity, and expression are under the same privileges and limitations of said freedoms. Restrictions to the innate humanity, identity, and expression are undemocratic and inhumane. We strive to recognize every aspect and every diverse part of each and every one.
Some people already enjoy the benefits of the principles, from both arbitrary selection and laborious efforts, and they have different perspectives on the advantages that they enjoy. Their opinions fall across the spectrum from supporting the expansion of these principles to otherwise. As writing comes to an end, we have come to realize that dreams do not have words as arms and legs. In order to take these ideals down from the pedestal and make them stand on their own feet, they need actions as limbs. Expansion of those rights against resistance is the direction that people of the world have pursued, and in the rhyming times of history that we live in, the cycle will perpetually repeat itself in all aspects. Generations and generations in the past have pushed the boulder up the hill and have also let it slip. We are now the people giving all our might to push the rolling rock higher than before, hoping that it doesn’t slip as far down as the last time. In a modern sense, we are all Sisyphus pushing the boulder against gravity. Our past, present, and future existence and efforts will be the driving force in an uphill battle, and accompany the ones exerting their full forces in the future. Join us, in the pursuit of equity, justice, diversity, respect, and inclusion, and take every miniscule step possible towards that impossible dream.