There is a curse of individualism. The word curse provides people with an excuse to separate themselves from compassion from others. I have seen the unimaginable in the last one hundred and four days. I have seen people explain that to live in certain parts of the world is to know death, like that is to be expected and not actively repelled.

I strive to live life as a global collective, even a hermit. When I think of the impact of something, I think of the impact on people around the globe and not just people in my immediate awareness. This isn’t to brag, and I was raised to believe in the people surrounding you in your community. Raised to believe that your community is your greatest strength and that you never abandon the people around you. To me, the people of Minneapolis, Black people around the world, people of color around the world, anyone who has ever been sad, readers, cat people, and people who like mediocre Canadian TV shows get my automatic support without question.

I’ve never qualified that based on their nationality or ethnicity, nor would I ever think to do so. I love people because each person exists perfectly as a unique kaleidoscope of history, passion, joy, and culture.

I guess what I am saying is that if we all took a moment to humanize the people we fear and do not know. We make a better world.