What does it mean to be a human being? This question could be answered biologically, psychologically or philosophically. Each science has paved the way to enrich our understanding of humanity. But what matters now is how scientific knowledge has or has not helped individuals to be “human”.
The first time I heard the concept of “being a human” was in a cafe, The Yellow Deli, in the heart of Katoomba in Australia’s Blue Mountains. The comfortable wood floor, bespoke architecture and the vibrant ambiance were sufficient to brighten my morning.
After ordering my breakfast, a member of staff approached me. “You enjoy reading?” he asked. “Yes, when I am in the mood,” I replied. A few minutes later, another staff member came to my table. “We are a community of dozens of people. You are invited to attend our social gathering,” she said and left me with a brochure.
Since I was partially holidaying and studying in Katoomba, I decided to attend their community gathering. And so, I showed up at their door. I was escorted to their main hall where other frequent cafe visitors were also in attendance. My breakthrough began.
Silence descended on the room and one member got up and began his succinct speech. “Human beings have been multiplying and multiplying. We are on this Earth to help each other; to serve each other and to love each other. By fulfilling these essentials, we are serving God,” he said. I was lost in translation. I imagined the gathering to entail perhaps a session on food security and healthy diet, but it turned out to be a course on humanity.
After this short sermon, they began their music and dancing. Again, silence enveloped the room and another member got up and began his heart-penetrating speech. “It is not easy to be a human being. To be a human being, you have to let go of your ego, selfishness and prejudice. You are a human when you see humanness in others.”
For a while, I couldn’t fathom what they were saying. This whole speech on being a human was perplexing. As I tried to calm my internal monologue, I was kindly invited to join the dinner.
As I sat with the cafe staff, we began to converse. I was told that the cafe was run by more than 40 people and their desire was to make the cafe a place where everyone belongs. I was told that they were devoted Jews who followed the teachings of Yashuwa the Messiah. They told me that their primary goal was to be human beings, seeing other human beings beyond their religion, race and culture. They then encouraged me to lend a hand in their cafe if I wished.
This is when things began to unravel about their gathering. This is when I realised what I have been doing wrong all along. I used to label people as “others” due to their religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I failed to understand that others are human too, like myself. All humans need the same things to survive, from food to companionship, but the way these needs are fulfilled vary across cultures and borders.
There was dust in my eyes, which prevented me from seeing humanity in others.
The following morning, I showed up in their cafe and asked if I could volunteer.
They welcomed me pleasantly. I worked for four hours, from folding aprons to cleaning kitchen utensils while having fruitful conversations with women from other backgrounds and cultures. It was the day I learnt that there is only one race – and that is the human race.
My journey of being a human thus began.
Asmaa Al Hameli is a former features writer for The National who’s now studying in Australia.
If you have a good story to tell or an interesting issue to debate, contact Amanda Tomlinson on atomlinson@thenational.ae.
