Discounted humans...

One of the books currently on my bedside table is Half The Sky by Nicholas D Kristof & Sheryl Wudunn.

www.halftheskymovement.org

I have to say it's one of the most alarming, enlightening and inspiring books I've ever read. The power of people at its best and at its worst is highlighted. The book is about women. The key is education. The fight is for a fair, free life.

Something was said in the book that really got under my skin. It kept bouncing around in my mind. I had to stop and give it some more time than just a glance as I continued reading.

"People get away with enslaving village girls for the same reason that people got away with enslaving blacks two hundred years ago: The victims are perceived as discounted humans."

For me this quote goes to the very core of humanity.

How do I see or value my fellow human beings?   What do my actions reveal about my attitude?

My son has special needs. Does that discount him? Does that make him less than me? Less than his sister? Less than my nephew?

At the moment my son can't talk. He has no way of telling us if he understands what's going on. We don't know if he can read, if he knows what a computer does, what his favourite colour is. He is a mystery.

And he is not alone...

What do my actions reveal about my attitude? Do I value those who can't give me anything in return? Will I fight for them? Will I speak for those who can't?

Time to stop and give it some time I think...