Kindness looks great in captions, but it’s even better in action. These small acts of kindness—a smile, a helping hand, a hug—are what dignity is based on. Dignity isn’t about status or fame; it’s about treating everyone with respect simply because they are human. In this blog, I will reflect on the fundamentals of dignity, and how it shapes our character and our world.
Simply put, dignity is the unconditional worth each person has the right to for just… existing! Respect is earned, but dignity is owed. Every single person, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they look, deserves to be treated with respect. Dignity isn’t just limited to others, but oneself as well. To begin respecting others, it is important you first respect yourself as only then will you be able to treat others the same way you would like to be treated.
Dignity is in the food we share, the hands that help, and a smile that shows we care. It is in the moments that we learn to feel, the words we choose, and the wounds we heal.
We observe small gestures of dignity all around us—sharing our pens with a friend, listening to others speak even though we may not agree with them, and picking up someone’s books when they fall from their hands. These are the instances that define who we really are and uphold dignity in our ruthless, contemporary world. Dignity is NOT when we gossip about others, when we criticise, when we are unnecessarily rude, or when we marginalise others because of something they cannot change. These atrocities create turmoil in our world, which dismantle the rules of dignity and pollute our communities.
I once saw a boy in the playground throw his empty bags of crisps on the floor, without giving any consideration to the old worker who was already bent down and picking up the trash of the entire school. This instance made me suddenly realise how invisible we make our helpers feel; how we make them seem almost inhumane.
Henceforth, it is of utmost importance we make sure every person leads a dignified life. That means listening and valuing everyone’s views. We should stand up for those communities who don’t have a voice and suffer silently. We should be careful with our words as they make a huge impact on the other person, and act out of compassion. Even asking a random stranger, “How are you?”, could brighten their entire day.
To live with dignity is to know each soul matters. It is what makes us humane. Let’s be the generation to break down barriers that disable, to stop saying words that stab, and to lead a dignified life, one act of kindness at a time.
Bilal Anwarzeb
10th C