The ‘I Am a Man Plaza’ is a tribute to Memphis sanitation workers who went on strike in 1968 due to poor working conditions and low compensation. While visiting the city to pursue full humanity on behalf of the men, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. He was assassinated while fighting for men who were being dehumanized and robbed of their full humanity. But what exactly does that mean? What does it mean to be dehumanized? What does it mean to be fully human? To be who you choose to be? To reach your maximum potential? To live, breathe, and exist in your full humanity?

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What is humanization?

Humanization is the ability to exist authentically. It is freedom from exploitation. It is freedom from involuntary, controlled, and unpaid labor. Humanization is freedom from being taken advantage of. It affirms all people as fully human, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, educational level, religion, or language. It acknowledges liberation as a childbirth right. Humanization is living a full life with access to quality healthcare, housing, education, food, employment, and justice under the law.

What does humanization mean in the context of our everyday lives? What does it mean to be humanized within the system of education? Within the healthcare system? What does humanization look like in the context of employment, justice, housing, and food? 

Humanization in education is access to high-quality learning experiences that prepare students to live the lives they choose. It is funding allocated to the students with the most need. It is access to quality facilities and modern technology. Humanization is access to high-quality teachers and principals. It is access to culturally relevant curriculum, instruction, and assessments.

Humanization is equal employment opportunities. It means ensuring all workers are treated with dignity and respect. It means paying them fair wages and providing them with safe and healthy working conditions. It is access to affordable housing and the opportunity to build wealth through homeownership.

Humanization is access to healthy food options in all communities. Humanization is access to high-quality and affordable healthcare options. It is the opportunity to vote in elections. Humanization in the criminal justice system is freedom from over-policing. It means treating all defendants fairly and humanely, regardless of the crime they have been accused of. It means providing them with access to legal counsel and ensuring a fair trial.

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What is dehumanization?

Dehumanization is the process of denying someone their full humanity. It is an act that prevents any person from being more fully human. It can be done in various ways, such as through physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or exploitation. It results from an unjust social order that produces violence in the oppressor. It is stolen and stifled humanity that leads to alienation and deprivation. Dehumanization allows for the oppressors, who consider only themselves human, to deprive the oppressed of their power. It destroys the oppressed and reduces them to things leading to feelings of isolation, despair, and hopelessness.

Dehumanization sets the foundation for book bans, educational inequity, teacher vacancies, police brutality, mass incarceration, food insecurity, mortality rates, citizens being silenced, and voter restriction laws, to name a few. We should all be concerned about humanization, freedom, and people’s right to live authentically. We should be worried about their access and opportunity to fundamental human rights.

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Are you concerned?

Paulo Freire says, “Concern for humanization leads at once to the recognition of dehumanization.” Our deep understanding of this concept is required to pursue full humanity. To be concerned about humanization means you are aware of what it is. At some level, you can identify and recognize when a person is being humanized or dehumanized, even if you have not experienced either of them personally. 

Humanization and dehumanization are real alternatives, real possibilities in the United States. But the people only want humanization. Oppressed and marginalized people only want to be free. We are fighting for freedom. We are pursuing liberation. 

Many people believe we will never reach full humanization. However, we can get closer with each day of concerted effort. Humanization is a journey, not a destination. It is a responsibility we all share and must work towards every day. We can all work to create a more humanized society by:

• Learning more about the concepts of humanization and dehumanization. There are many resources available online and in libraries. We can also talk to people who have experienced dehumanization or are working to create a more humanized society.
• Speaking out against injustice and discrimination. When we see or hear something wrong, we say something. 
• Supporting organizations that are working to create a more just and equitable society. Many organizations are working to address the root causes of dehumanization, such as racism, sexism, and classism. You can donate your time or money to these organizations to help them in their work.
• Committing to living our own lives in a way that respects the dignity of all people. This means treating everyone with kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, educational level, religion, or language. It also means working to create a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.

Together, we can create a more humanized society where we all have the opportunity to reach our full potential. Let me know what you plan to do in the comments!