As of 2021, the term “mankind” is a bit outdated. That is because social justice and the fight for gender equality is more prevalent in modern society more than ever before. In fact, there is a patriarchal quality to the notion of “mankind.” Even the landing on the moon in 1969 happened decades ago, in which Neil Armstrong called his landing a “giant leap for mankind.”
Therefore, why not simply be kind? After all, what the world really does need is love. In fact, love does not even need to be romantic.
Furthermore, the love stories that Jane Austen had written are currently a bit overrated. That is because Pride and Prejudice is actually very similar to the classic fairy tale and Disney films Beauty and the Beast. Therefore, kindness, humbleness, and humility are all essential characteristics necessary to deal with post-modernity.
Kindness itself is not even that hard. Try doing volunteer work without the need to fulfill a homework assignment or gain service hours. Help open a door for someone at a restaurant or a store. Try to contribute a piece of writing to a publication without expecting monetary compensation. Do anything possible to help make the impossible possible. At least try.
Finally, kindness does go a long way but never let people walk over other people. That is because Barbra Streisand famously sang in the seminal classic musical Funny Girl, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world!” People really do need each other so that they could help one another build a better world.
Hopefully, society could see the realities of real life with their eyes so they could open their hearts to make the world a better place. Remember that change is the only constant, but positive change can promote kindness across mankind.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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