humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

Wiping My Face of Society
'Our normal expectations about reality are created by social consensus. We are taught how to see and understand the world. The trick of socialization is to convince us that the descriptions we agree upon define the limits of the real world. What we call reality is only one way of seeing the world, a way supported by social consensus.' - Carlos Casteneda
By Brooke Jarvis9 years ago in Humans
Curse of the Secret Santa
The lights. The blinking lights flashing green and red, alternating in duration, yet somehow in sync, clearly the difference maker. The lights illuminate the season. The smell of pine fills the air as I pass the rows of wreath and tree vendors. With several packages in hand, I struggle through the streets of New York feeling the brisk cool air, evidenced through my foggy breath. Yup, tis the season. It’s Christmas time. Whenever I casually walk the city streets, I always experience incidental bumping by New Yorkers seemingly in a hurry - typical. Now, there are shoppers with bags upon bags of gifts no one will ever use. I too am on that same quest except for me it’s a tradition that invokes a curse. This curse is not one conjured by a witch or warlock but one that was self-imposed, unwittingly through my own selfish, childish actions. Only after the third or fourth year as an adult did I realize I was under said curse. Some may call it retribution. Some may call it a well-deserved boomerang effect. I call it quite simply: The Curse of the Secret Santa.
By Tomas Alejandro9 years ago in Humans
Why I Write
Writing is my best form of expression. I found writing during my elementary school years. It started with me writing short stories and became journal writing. I found that physically writing out my experiences or my issues allowed me to release anything I was holding onto or felt I couldn't get rid of. Writing has become my saving grace. Have you found yours?
By Tish Franklin9 years ago in Humans
The Fear Of The Unknown Part 1
One night I was in bed alone, in a big massive mansion. Security stood outside my door, my bodyguard was sleeping on the couch that was by the fireplace. I always liked it when Caspian was over protective; especially when I was ill and couldn't go to a social event with him, he wanted to make sure that I was properly protected even if I was with him or not.
By Lizzy Arrow9 years ago in Humans
Stupid Girl
It all began in the early 80s; my parents lived in a small pull along travel trailer. Yes, of course I was forced to go with them. Hell, I was only 13, I had no choice.
By Storm Writer9 years ago in Humans
Pride 2017
This is a little late, but I wanted to post it anyway. You can check it out on my tumblr, too. I am a trans queer guy and this year I am not just celebrating pride for myself, I am celebrating for everyone who can’t. I’m celebrating for the people that live in countries that kill queer people. I am celebrating pride for the people that live in religious homes that criticize and demean queer individuals. I am celebrating for the people whose lives were taken last year by a homophobic racist. Rest in peace, Orlando victims.
By g. whiles9 years ago in Humans
Pros and Cons of Being an Empath
Maybe you soak up other people's feelings like a dirty dish scrub. Maybe you feel like you have a deeper understanding of the world than most people you hang around. Or maybe you were just curious and didn't know what the word "empath" means and wanted to find out through this article. Before you go plugging the word "empath" into Google, I've got you covered. The results of your search would look something like this: "em·path ˈempaTH' noun (chiefly in science fiction) a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual."
By M.L. Sukala9 years ago in Humans
Why Do Black Women Consent to be Side-Chicks?
You know them. You may even hate them. Better yet, you probably are one or used to be one. Side-chicks, mistresses, and the other woman have become rather relevant in our black communities. There is not too much of a difference between the three terminologies associated with the woman who is with a taken or married man. For the purpose of this article, I will use the terminology side-chick.
By Ashely Moore9 years ago in Humans
Living with the Grief of a Loved One
Every time I try to write about him, I seem to have no words. No descriptive paragraphs, no elaborate phrasing, just a wish that he was here again. I have tried so hard not to feel pain when I think of him, not to be hurt that he’s gone, but it seems impossible. Since he had to go a piece of me has been missing and I hope that he’s holding it in his heart, because that is where he will always be, in my heart, my soul, and my whole being. He made me feel things I had never felt before, he made me believe in myself like no one else could, he made me have hope when I felt there was no point. He accepted me through and through, even with all of my faults, he loved and protected me even though I gave him reasons not to. He has always amazed me with his self-less attitude, even with everything he was going through, he made everyone else a priority. He gave everyone around him hope, he was an inspiration, and I was so lucky to have him in my life, even if it was only for a short period of time. He made a mark on me like no else, he made me believe in humanity again, he made me feel like I could change the world. He was my best friend, the only one who could truly understand me, the one who knew me inside and out, the one that made me see the better in people. He was by far the greatest friend I've ever had and in everything I do, I will always think of him.
By danielle9 years ago in Humans
A Little Bit of Both
I recently got a very short haircut, shaved sides and all, and I have gotten countless unsolicited comments on the matter. Many people seem to like it, but many others seem to think that it is too masculine.
By Simone Olak9 years ago in Humans
Life In An Abyss
Her life was an abyss. Dark, empty and cold. It all started when she was just a little girl. Her mom's dead body lay in front of her with blood everywhere. She was covered in her mom's blood but little did she know that would be the last time she would see her mother. You see, she was only five years old. So she really couldn't comprehend what was going on around her. All she knew was that now she had to listen to her brother. He was nine and her role model. The only thing he told her was that she had to change her clothes. So she did. And while she did that, her brother placed a blanket over their mother. Then this tall man came inside the house a couple minutes later. He acted as if everything was okay. We did the same, too. We said nothing. We lived life as normal people. The only difference is....normal people do not have a dead body in their home. It took a while before people actually knew that our mother was dead. But the tall man got arrested and mommy had her body burnt.
By Lashell Greene9 years ago in Humans
Segregation of the Mind
As the bottle of whiskey I'd swiped from my mother’s stash got lower I could feel myself going numb. The fear of where I was going slowly slipped away and there was room for nothing more than the anticipation of who I was going to see. My feet felt as if they were slipping away from me as I stumbled past the cookie cutter homes. The trees that looked as identical as the houses during the day turned to villainous shapes of demons in the night.
By Alisha Felder9 years ago in Humans