Constant Awareness of Humanity

Principle: When we are practicing nonviolence, we refuse to dehumanize others, even if we disagree with or have taken a dislike to them.

For example, when people are locked in a serious conflict, they often characterize their opponents as animals (in Rwanda it was famously “cockroaches”), which is terribly harmful to not just toward the people dehumanized but those who are resorting to dehumanization (and not to mention animals and insects!).

Reflection: What helps you to remember the humanity of those with whom you are in conflict? What happens for you when you try to keep the humanity of others in mind, even in difficult situations?