Are You?

Hmmm...that's an interesting question.

Definition : A person who seeks to promote human welfare; a philanthropist

In its most general form, humanitarianism is an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings.

So, yes I guess that definition I am a humanitarian. I think we ALL deserve a fair shot, regardless of sex, race, religion or lack of, sexual orientation, height, weight, tan, pale, six fingered, seven toed or purple.

I recently got called a humanitarian, but it wasn't said nicely. When the government was so close to shutting down and they made that proposal to pay the defense departments but possibly shut down the rest, I was against that. Why? Well, it would have paid my husbands paycheck, so it would have taken care of my family, but why in the world would I be ok with, "Well as long as I get paid, I don't need to worry about that other family that won't be able to buy groceries." I just couldn't bring myself to do something like that. My mind doesn't think that way, and I would refuse to condemn someone else to hard times, when something could be done to help us all.

After a heated discussion, this lady tells me, "Well aren't you the little humanitarian?" all nasty like. So I looked at her and said, "Lady, if that's the worst thing I am ever called in this life time, then I think I am doing pretty damn good."

I first have a responsibility to my family then to those outside my family. I have no idea what that makes me.

I am a big believer in serving those in need and pay it forward kind of thing...If you don't have any spare change or your own budget it tight serving with your mind and hands are just as effective!!! Nothing beats the joy I have felt when doing some painting of fences and homes for special needs people...etc... Good question.

I believe in doing what I can on a small and local level as much as possible. I will help if I can and when God leads. I've been convicted recently that I'm not doing enough because I'm not saving any money ever and because my debts are too high. All that interest could be going someplace else. But as a rule, I give way more than the average person seems to when the subject comes up.

I don't know anyone in particular that I would use as a good example. Only God knows what a person has done or can do and what their motives are.

Yes. I am a humanitarian. I am a Libertarian as well. Rare for California, but we are here.

Some of the world's best humanitarians?

Mother Teresa
Harriet Tubman
Martin Luther King, Jr (who was a Republican by the way)

What makes them stand out? Instead of complaining about their situation, they worked it and made it better. MLK was instrumental in many ways. I totally respect him. Although I do not believe he would be happy with the way things have gone, nor do I think he would like how Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have made matters worse....they keep regurgitating the past and blaming others instead of DOING...

I think one can live for your family in a way that does not leave behind the world's needy. Part of my duty as a mother is to allow my children to see me perform works of charity, and for them to do them as well. My children are still young, so this will naturally grow over the years, but so far this is what we do:

Regular monetary and food contributions to our local food shelf
Occassional free childcare for a lower-income family who cannot afford a babysitter
Participating in the "giving tree" at our church every Christmas season
Donating baby items to a crisis pregnancy center
Handing food to the Vietnam vet who holds a sign up by the entrance to the interstate EVERY Sunday (we don't do this every Sun, as we don't always drive past him, but if we see him, we go grab something and bring it to him)

I think that a person is a humanitarian if they seek to use their time, talent, or treasure to extend the blessings they have been given to others. It is not always about financial need--sometimes someone has PLENTY of money, but are not given love, which is essential to all humanity.

(Will write more later--my 4 yr old is asking to help me type ;)

Are you familiar with Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs?

People can't move to the next step until the current step is "complete."

1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc. (You certainly can't worry too much or help anyone else if you don't have food or air, right?)

2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc. (Forming of society, structure, decrease chaos.)

3. Belongingness and Love needs - work group, family, affection, relationships, etc. (Raising a family, finding a mate, etc.)

4. Esteem needs - self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc. (Material stability, recognition for set profession, etc.)

5. Self-Actualization needs - realising personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

Self-actualizing people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others and interested fulfilling their potential.

Lots of people never really get to Self Actualization. Near-death experiences can cause people to self actualize.
Lots of people get there when they are nearing death.
This is the time of O.'s life when REAL, CHANGING humanitarianism on the grandest scale is probably seen.

We all should realize that we are PART of the greater picture. Some PARTS of the picture suck. Some parts don't. The best possible outcome is that it doesn't such as much as it possibly could suck.
People making change toward the not sucking part is humanitarianism.

In response to Shirley L's post regarding MLK's political affiliation. It is unclear what his affiliation was, and there is no evidence that supports the assertion that he was a Republican. As a matter of fact, it sounds like he did his best not to become affiliated with either party. More information can be found at the link below.

http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/jan/17/ra...

Frankly, I don't care what his affiliation was. The world and the political party's general positions on a number of issues were different back then.