So how do we decide what a human life is worth? Let’s do a little exercise. I’ll tell you some things about me and you can sit in judgement.
I’m a married middle aged British woman born into a wealthy family. I have an Oxford degree and a doctorate. I’m well travelled and I have a very good well paying job. Based on this limited information, how would you rate me as a person? Would you feel comfortable conversing with me?
So what if I told you that I am a black woman. I’m still a British woman, but I’m black. Does that change your opinion of me at all? I wasn’t born British. I was born in Zimbabwe. That makes me an immigrant. And all that family wealth I mentioned earlier, it’s in Zimbabwe. Does that affect your opinion of me? If it does, why? You don’t have to share your thoughts, but let’s just think about it for a minute.
Oh, and I have just one degree, no doctorate. And I didn’t get it from Oxford. I studied at Bradford. I can hear your opinion of me falling further. Remember these are not lies. We are just doing a little exercise to understand what it is that makes us respect someone.
I used to have a very good well paying job. Up until a couple of weeks ago. It didn’t work out so I left. Had been there for 8 years and was in a very senior management position. But now, I’m in a low paying temporary job. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I have more time for myself and my family. But I bet I don’t command as much respect as a human being.
Oh, and I’m not married. I’m a single mother.
A young person died today, who did not need to die. That’s…heartbreaking. It was an African child. That’s…a story we’ve heard far too many times, we just don’t care anymore. They died of hunger. That’s…not your problem?
Is this really how we value human lives. Nationality. Education. What job you do? Family background?
Is one human life worth more than another? Of the two women described above, would you value or respect one more than the other?