“But you are… normal?!!”

Humanity is Diverse!

Oh the many times I heard this line since I have come here! It is as if it were inconceivable for a Syrian, an Arab, or a Middle Eastern for that matter, to be “normal”. I usually reply with an amused tone before I go into explaining how, in fact, we are normal! 

Allow me, however, to let you in on a little secret. Deep down, I take offence in the other party’s shock when making such a statement. The conversation that follows, more often than not, veers into politics with me trying to explain how similar we are to the rest of the world. How, personally, I come from a secular country (the only secular Arab country in fact). How we cherish the same moments of joy, how we lead lives that are as similar to those led by people in this part of the world. How we enjoy music and concerts; drinking, dancing and clubbing; reading and watching movies; and the list goes on and on. 

People tend to forget that the things that distinguish us from one another are fewer and less significant than the things that bring us together. They tend to forget that we are all human beings, built in the same manner as the rest of the human population. They tend to forget that our differences are very much outnumbered by our similarities. They tend to forget that we all share the same time on this planet and in this life. 

Yes I am different. And, to be quite honest, I celebrate the fact that I am. But who said that being different is to be instantly equated with not being “normal”?! I cannot help but wonder. Has humanity become inexplicably divided that we now faction it to those who are “normal” and those who are, well, “abnormal”? If so, then let me take a moment to grieve and mourn the death of humanity. 

It is very easy to place the blame on the media, the politicians, or what-have-you. But the real blame should be ours! We are the ones to blame for what has become of our state of being. Instead of engaging in conversation, we wage war. Instead of building bridges that connect us, we construct monstrous walls to keep us apart. Instead of solidifying our numerous similarities, we amplify our minute differences and have them stand between us. 

We must not forget that extremism, fundamentalism and radicalism are but the exceptions to the human condition. Yet, that is all we are focused on. The first decade of the 21st century has almost ended, yet here we are; divided, we stand.

What a pity! 

Let us talk! Let us all shed off our stereotypes and irrational fear that keep us apart and sit down around one table and talk. Let us talk about the things we share, the similarities that bring us all together, about the differences that make each of us unique but human nonetheless. Let us talk about how “normal” we all are! 

Let us talk.