WHAT IS HUMANITARIANISM?
BEFORE THE TRIP
1. Humanitarianism by definition means the ethic of kindness, benevolence or sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings. In a more general term humanitarianism can be broken down to the act of kindness extended to all people regardless of social views, prejudice etc. There are many examples of humanitarianism throughout the years. For example, people who decided to stand up against slavery in the 1600’s and 1700’s preformed humanitarian acts. The Quakers in the 1750’s stood up against the Atlantic Slave Trade through a letter written by John Woolman. Another example of humanitarianism would be the people that fought for child labor laws in the 1700’s. Therefore humanitarianism in the past more focused around the idea of fighting for rights and putting a stop to things that were unjust and unfair. 2. The definition and interpretation of humanitarianism has changed throughout the years but mainly still focuses around its original definition. Today, humanitarianism can also mean doing acts of kindness for others that you may not know just because it’s right with little to no reward. For example, the people that started and founded the Red Cross showed an act of humanitarianism in their work. Those people dedicate their time, effort and lives to helping others who they may not even know for very little pay and they make a huge different in the lives of others who are less fortunate then they are. People and organizations like the Red Cross are examples of the refined definition of humanitarianism that focuses around the idea of helping others out of the kindness of their heart. 3. Humanitarianism could mean a variety of things in the future. It could be a more exaggerated version of what the Red Cross does in the future, like going into other countries and reforming their lives. It could also be like humanitarianism was in the past with people standing up against things they thought were wrong. I believe it just depends on what the world needs humanitarianism to be at that moment and then people will gravitate toward that. 4. My life could intersect with humanitarianism in many different forms. For example, doing service works and giving my time to serve others like we are doing in Tanzania is a form of humanitarianism that has become part of my life. It could also intersect with my life if I decide to stand up for things and fight for people and ideas if I think something is unjust or wrong. Being a nursing student I also believe that my profession has some humanitarian aspects to it in the way that nurses help people everyday. |
AFTER THE TRIP
Since going to Tanzania, the actual definition of humanitarianism has not changed, although, my perception of the word has altered. Before going to Africa, humanitarianism meant people standing up for what they believe in to make a change in the world or people doing acts of kindness with no reward. To me, humanitarianism still consists of the idea of people giving their time, effort, ideas and sometimes money to make a change in the world. Although, after going to Tanzania I think a humanitarian is someone who has taken the time to understand a certain culture, people, place etc. and uses that knowledge to work with the people they are trying to assist to make a difference. Before going to Africa, I definitely though of the word humanitarian and thought of someone like Oprah, Bill Gates or Angeline Jolie; people will a great deal of money that help people by building schools and house and sending over supplies like books, mosquito nets etc. I even thought that I was going to become a humanitarian because I was taking time out of my life and spring break in college to go to an impoverished part of the world that needed my assistance; it was sort of a naïve way of looking at the world. Being a humanitarian means something a little deeper to me now. Of course, giving money, supplies and building things like schools and houses are extremely important and have made great impacts in many parts of the world over the years. Although, being a humanitarian not only means giving your time and money (which it often does) but it also means allowing yourself to understand another part of the world in order to benefit it. As a humanitarian, it is important to actually visit the part of the world and the people you are trying to work with and to feel and live in their environment. I couldn’t imagine taking part in a service project or organization that has never actually been to the country they are aiding. Humanitarianism is defined as, “an ethic of kindness, benevolence, and sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings.” I don’t understand how someone can be a humanitarian without experiencing the poverty, people and problems first hand. To me, I couldn’t have had the sympathy I have now if I hadn’t had actually gone over to Africa to experience it. |