Simple gestures, profound effects

by Jonny Carr, editorial assistant

The Human Genome Project has made ground-breaking strides in the fields of biology and medicine.

But something even more profound to me is that the human-to-human genetic variation is estimated to be at least 0.5 percent. This means that there is approximately a 99.5 percent genetic similarity between every person on the planet. For a number so high, it makes me wonder why we are so unwilling to help each other out and so eager to judge.

It’s as if every day we make decisions without even thinking about how those choices affect those around us. We go on autopilot, and after a while we get used to patterns, and then we begin to live by them.

But sometimes those patterns that govern our conscience minds need to be broken down and reformulated.

I’ll use Steve as an example. Steve could be white, he could be black or gay or straight. He could be Buddhist or Christian. He could be anything, and anyone.

Let's say, you’re walking down a hallway on your way to class and Steve stumbles and drops his books. There is a brief moment in time when two questions spring up inside of your head. Do you stop and help, or do you continue on your way to class?

What would you do? Would you keep walking by in complete disregard for Steve? Or would you take those two precious minutes out of your busy schedule to help someone out?

Let's take the same example and look at it from the reciprocal angle. Now you're walking to class, but you trip on a rug and drop your books. You've had an unfortunate day, and that algebra exam put you over the top. Wouldn't it be amazing if some random person came along and helped you pick up your books?

It's those random acts of kindness that set people apart from one another. There are those who are willing to help another person, and there are those who are too absorbed in their own world to even blink at someone else's misfortune.

So the question is, which side would you rather be on? Shouldn't we be willing to extend that helping hand, regardless of how we first perceive someone, and be able to look each other in the eye and say 'I'm here for you?'

Imagine if we, as South Plains College students, created a society within the walls of our college that was devoid of petty classifications. Each one of us would become a beacon of hope for a friend, a professor or a stranger, all because we simply took the time to help someone out when the opportunity arose.

So let's try this, the next time you or I see someone having a bad day, extend that hand of hope and look Steve in the eye, knowing that we’re all on this earth together.  Maybe we could befriend that new kid in class, or donate to a homeless shelter.

Together we can build a community that is based on affection for one another. Because no matter how varied the people of the world are in their opinions, beliefs and appearances, we’re all about 99.5 percent the same.