Humanity First?
In one of my classes yesterday, we discussed the idea of UBI-Universal Basic Income. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a philosophical proposal one of the US presidential candidates is proposing, Andrew Yang:
“Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a form of social security that guarantees a certain amount of money to every citizen within a given governed population, without having to pass a test or fulfill a work requirement. Every Universal Basic Income plan can be different in terms of amount or design.
Andrew Yang is running for President as Democrat in 2020 on the platform of Universal Basic Income. The UBI he is proposing for the United States is a set of guaranteed payments of $1,000 per month, or $12,000 per year, to all U.S. citizens over the age of 18. Yes, that means you and everyone you know would get another $1,000/month every month from the U.S. government, no questions asked.”
I am no expert on this. And I don’t pretend to be. I’m a writer. A poet. A teacher. But I am human first. And I am a thinker. I’m trying to learn more about it. Do some research. Read.
The debate ran the gamut in the classroom. It was split pretty 50/50. What was most startling, however, were the responses to Yang’s slogan: “Humanity first.” Many, though not outright stating it, basically said: No. Me first.
Is that the type of society we’re living in? Is that what capitalism really is? Do people really care about humanity? About the welfare of others? Do most just blame and say: Not my problem? Does it come down to what economic class you may fall into?
I, myself, work hard. Every day. But I don’t pretend I didn’t have a lot of help to get where I am financially. I had good parents. I had parents who worked hard their whole lives just so I could have a head start. I went to private college and I came out with little loans. I know I’m fortunate and lucky. My cards were dealt with lots of kings and queens. But I see daily that so many are not fortunate that way, even those working day in and day out--hard. And though they are trying, they are way behind the 8 ball to make it. If it comes down to feeding themselves or their children or going to college, they don’t have the resources to choose the latter. Decisions, opportunities—they aren’t plentiful for many.
I’m not sure how I feel about Yang yet. Of course, theoretically, his proposal seems wonderfully human. And my god do we need to remember that! It’s that outside-of-the-box thinking I admire and respect. What I do know for sure is this. We have people who live paycheck to paycheck. We have people who can’t find their next meals. We have people homeless. We have children in dire conditions due to poverty of no choice of their own. And at the same time, we have people with private jets and more money than any one person could possibly ever need in 10 lifetimes. If you don’t see a problem with that disparity, you probably won’t give UBI a second look.
But I know I do my best when I can actually feel my shoulders untucking from my ears, when the strain of just simply breathing becomes less labored, how simple love from another human being can actually DO things. Imagine having some stress alleviated to be the best we can be. To follow some dreams. To foster our talents. Now exhale and get started.
“Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a form of social security that guarantees a certain amount of money to every citizen within a given governed population, without having to pass a test or fulfill a work requirement. Every Universal Basic Income plan can be different in terms of amount or design.
Andrew Yang is running for President as Democrat in 2020 on the platform of Universal Basic Income. The UBI he is proposing for the United States is a set of guaranteed payments of $1,000 per month, or $12,000 per year, to all U.S. citizens over the age of 18. Yes, that means you and everyone you know would get another $1,000/month every month from the U.S. government, no questions asked.”
I am no expert on this. And I don’t pretend to be. I’m a writer. A poet. A teacher. But I am human first. And I am a thinker. I’m trying to learn more about it. Do some research. Read.
The debate ran the gamut in the classroom. It was split pretty 50/50. What was most startling, however, were the responses to Yang’s slogan: “Humanity first.” Many, though not outright stating it, basically said: No. Me first. Is that the type of society we’re living in? Is that what capitalism really is? Do people really care about humanity? About the welfare of others? Do most just blame and say: Not my problem? Does it come down to what economic class you may fall into?
I, myself, work hard. Every day. But I don’t pretend I didn’t have a lot of help to get where I am financially. I had good parents. I had parents who worked hard their whole lives just so I could have a head start. I went to private college and I came out with little loans. I know I’m fortunate and lucky. My cards were dealt with lots of kings and queens. But I see daily that so many are not fortunate that way, even those working day in and day out--hard. And though they are trying, they are way behind the 8 ball to make it. If it comes down to feeding themselves or their children or going to college, they don’t have the resources to choose the latter. Decisions, opportunities—they aren’t plentiful for many.
I’m not sure how I feel about Yang yet. Of course, theoretically, his proposal seems wonderfully human. And my god do we need to remember that! It’s that outside-of-the-box thinking I admire and respect. What I do know for sure is this. We have people who live paycheck to paycheck. We have people who can’t find their next meals. We have people homeless. We have children in dire conditions due to poverty of no choice of their own. And at the same time, we have people with private jets and more money than any one person could possibly ever need in 10 lifetimes. If you don’t see a problem with that disparity, you probably won’t give UBI a second look.
But I know I do my best when I can actually feel my shoulders untucking from my ears, when the strain of just simply breathing becomes less labored, how simple love from another human being can actually DO things. Imagine having some stress alleviated to be the best we can be. To follow some dreams. To foster our talents. Now exhale and get started.
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