I AM HUMAN

I AM HUMAN.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN. However, with over 7.4 billion people, we can’t seem to get along. Mother Earth is barely holding on, as diverse cultures breed across its globe.

Mother Earth is constantly being misused by HUMAN BEINGS, polluting the lands, our oceans and the air we breathe. As we coexist with millions of species of wildlife, our arrogant self is damaging our planet faster then ever before. Our over-populated species are crowding every little space, consuming our resources at an alarming rate. WE already know, in order to sustain us, our species must explore the universe, sure to infect another planet, before it’s too late.

WE ARE HUMAN.

We’re like this out-of-control virus, with this incurable sensation to survive, no matter what. However, nature is fighting back. It’s in our genetics, tracing back to our prehistoric ancestors (the caveman) keeping close to our KIND.

Our “kind” can be divided up into five races :

• Caucasoid

• Negroid

• Capoid

• Mongoloid (Oriental/ Amerindian)

• Australoid (Australian Aborigine and Papuan)

It’s then we’re subdivided into each of our origins, such as English, French, and Italian. After this division, we become more divided by each religion and culture. AND – that’s where everything goes to HELL. Nature is fighting back because of our narrow mindedness. We humans cause wars over religion, race, culture and colour, in an attempt to say we’re a better race or have the right religion. In the end, we’ll eliminate ourselves as nature continues on without us. It may take a million years, but Mother Earth will reboot, starting up another evolutionary species.

It’s sad, really.

Here we are ; intelligent HOMO-SAPIENS evolving from our ancestors, but too stupid to realize our own fate, due to arrogance. Our species are resourceful but can never accept or respect each other for who we are.

NO.

Instead we nitpick, clumped together in each of our own cultures, like the caveman we are. Let’s look at ME for example. My culture is said to be a mixture of French and Italian, but my DNA throws in Cree. Because I’m NOT one hundred percent French, Italian or Cree, each culture doesn’t consider me part of their family. As far as their concerned, I’m just a cross-breed, otherwise known as “Heinz 57”. It means, the French, Italians and Cree don’t respect me for who I am. THEY will NOT welcome me into their homes, because technically I’m not part of their culture.

I AM HUMAN.

Even though my father comes from a long line of DEMERS following back to the origins of France, settling in Lower Canada 🇨🇦 (now Quebec) way before the English ever step foot on Canadian soil, the French will never consider me their own.

Even though my mother comes from a long line of VARZES since the Roman Empire, the Italians have never welcomed me into their homes, since my grandfather died.

Even though my French ancestors played house with the first nations (indigenous aboriginal) people, the Cree think of me as an outsider. When we use the term, “Indian”, we’re quickly referred to as being racist, when their race freely refer us, as “White Man”. Believe it or not, both slangs are indeed racist.

Let me explain further.

I’m an artist, be it writing, drawing or graphic design. My Art has taken me along many adventures, including submersing myself into the Northwest Native Art, for the past 40 years. Just recently I asked a member of the First Nations people to help me with this design, as I want to explore the inner meanings of their culture. This is what this person told me, “ I don’t feel comfortable giving advise because the art work you are trying to produce is a form of cultural appropriation. There is more knowledge that goes into a design, that has been passed down from many generations, and has almost went extinct. This is our form of visual language. I appreciate that you enjoy our culture, but there is so much more to learn to respect the artwork.”

Teach me then.

Please teach me the right way to embrace your culture. No response.

Little does she realize I’ve study this art form when I was a teenager. I’m well aware of each cultural background, but like many First Nations People, they each have their own spin on it. It’s their personal art, from their inner soul and spirituality. I may not be one hundred percent Cree, but that’s doesn’t make me an outsider.

Cultural Appropriation.

Now that term is offensive to any artist on this planet. Each artist has his/her own way to express their inner demons of expression, since the dawn of mankind. Each tribal member may have its own form of language arts, but it’s not right to say, we don’t have the right to express it in our own form. That’s like telling an artist you’re banned from expression. I truly understand they want to keep their culture and way of life, passing it down from generation to generation. In fact, I totally respect their culture, requiring guidance, to pursue my artwork. BUT…not to allow an artist to express themselves, has gone too far. Ironically, she asks her followers to draw their expression of Spiritual animals, such as a whale, raven or eagle. Isn’t that also a form of cultural appropriation ?

I AM HUMAN.

I’m a human beings, like any other human being on this earth. All I’m asking is to stop crying wolf when you’re doing the same to others. Treat me as a human being. Treat me NOT as an outsider, but share me your culture. WE must all be treated like EQUALS, no matter your race, religion or cultural upbringing. Embracing each other as a loving family is when WE may eventually get along. To close-the-door in my face is not only rude but arrogant, no matter who YOU are.

The French and Italians have done the exact same thing. So be it. I’m CANADIAN and extremely proud to be part of this wonderful country. My culture is Canadian, that’s my NEW culture.

It frustrates me to no end, as each culture embraces their own, without inviting outsiders, welcoming them in. I say,”Look forward to the future, embrace each human being as your GOD intended YOU to. It’s called respect.”

By Bari Demers – screenwriter

NOTE : Please be respectful. You never know what may come out of it.