What Does it Mean to be Human?

Standard and Objective SSHS-S1C10-PO2 Students will distinguish the events that lead to genocide and understand the fundamentals of how genocides occur throughout history Stand 1: American History Concept 10: Contemporary US PO 2. Identify the connection between current and historical events and issues using information from class discussions and various resources (e.g., newspapers, magazines, Internet, books, maps).

What does it mean to be human? Biologically what does it mean to be human? How do we define ourselves as individuals? How does our society or culture dictate what it means to be human? How do we define ourselves as people of people of The United States vs. the world?

Let’s start on the microscopic level When it comes down to it, we are all the same on a cellular level. When we get past man-made constructs, religion, nationality, and ethnicity we are all ultimately the same. So if we are all the same at the most basic level, why do we treat others as inferior?

Maybe it has something to do with identity We can read and talk about what other people have to say about personal identity. Through this we can better understand how we view ourselves and others. But we are more than just individuals, we are part of something bigger...

We are part of a country and society Being part of a country means we identify as a certain nationality and view others as something different and often inferior. Our legal documents as a country also reflect the way we as a society understand what it means to be human. Extreme nationalism has led to some pretty awful events in the past though...

Genocide and Dehumanization When we have man-made constructs dictating what it means to be human there is nothing preventing atrocities like genocide. We find ways to dehumanize others making it easier to kill them or to just ignore that they are being killed. What dictates how do we decide which lives are more important than others?

The 8 Stages of Genocide Classification: Us vs. “hem” Polarization: extremists spreading propaganda Symbolization: symbol to ID “them” Preparation: victims separated and death lists drawn up Dehumanization: Removal of humanity Organization: groups trained to carry out the genocide Extermination: mass killings Denial: cover it up