I Believe in Humanity

I believe in humanity; I look for the good in people, choose love and love
everyone as I would love myself. I have always thought that humanity is and
should be basic for all human beings. However, events that have taken place in the
recent past have left me devastated and questioning a lot about human beings. I
witnessed Russia invade Ukraine. From face value, it looks like two countries are
going into war and battling out like a test of muscles or superiority. However, a
closer look shows a lack of humanity. It shows two countries that have abandoned
the diplomacy route and have instead chosen to go into war and risk the lives and
livelihoods of millions of people.
The war between Russia continues even as the rest of the world watches. I
have read reports that have left me broken. For instance, just a week ago, reports
showed that more than 800 civilians had been killed (Kirby & Guyer, 2022). The
war had cost people their lives. These are fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters.
They are people that had dreams, but all that has been cut short by the war. The
devastation is far from over as the war continues and more casualties continue to
be reported.
Since the war began, a humanitarian crisis has been experienced in Europe.
More than 3.3 million people are ow refugees of war (Kirby & Guyer, 2022). They
have fled, and more continue to flee Ukraine in search of safer grounds. I have

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watched children cry as they cross borders because life has changed as they have
known it. Children are now suffering and fleeing home because home is no longer
safe. This is an indication that people no longer believe in humanity. Leaders do
not respect human life and will do anything, including killing, to show their might.
It is a sad state of affairs. Sometimes I wish it was not happening, but it actually is,
and it is sad.
The problem I have with this situation is that people sat in an office and
decided to go into war, knowing well that people would be killed and others left
homeless. This makes me wonder about the meaning of humanity to such people. I
wonder whether they are at peace wherever they are as they watch buildings go up
in flames, knowing very well that people have lost their lives and others will suffer
life-changing events. People continue to lose life unnecessarily because it is
actually possible to follow diplomatic channels and resolve any arising conflicts
between the two countries. However, those involved do not want to do so and have
instead chosen to use violence.
While a lot has happened to make me question whether there still remain
people who believe in humanity. I have been encouraged by people, both famous
and ordinary citizens all over Europe, who have given out their homes and
personal spaces to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. One recent incident is that
by Andriy Shevchenko, who is a former Chelsea striker, who has announced plans

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to provide shelter to children feeling Ukraine (Salisbury-Jones, 2022). This is a
kind gesture. All is not lost. There still are people who believe in humanity and
who understand that human beings should share the love.

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References

Kirby, J., & Guyer, J. (2022). The dangerous new phase of Russia’s war in
Ukraine, explained. Vox. Retrieved 27 March 2022, from
https://www.vox.com/22970918/russia-war-in-ukraine-explained.
Salisbury-Jones, D. (2022). Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko says he
will house Ukrainian child refugees. itv. Retrieved 27 March 2022, from
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-03-14/ex-chelsea-striker-andriy-
shevchenko-says-hell-house-ukrainian-child-refugees.