The Human Condition
“Don’t blink”
The family you’re born into determines various things about you. This can include anything from where you grow up, what school you go to, what friends you make, your career choice, and a multitude of other factors down to genetic predispositions. I recently started watching a youtube channel called Soft White Underbelly. The channel contains interviews and portraits of the human condition. I’ll link the channel at the end of the article I encourage you to watch a video or two. I will warn you though it does contain some very graphic and heart-wrenching real-life stories of people who’ve experienced horrific things in their lifetime. The world is wide, long, and has so much depth. We cross paths with people every day not knowing who we are seeing in passing.
sonder — n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
The interviews portrayed on the channel range from college students, refugees, the homeless to drug addicts, prostitutes, and pimps. All in all, Soft White Underbelly provides a diverse set of interviews that relay the stories of men and women who have lived compelling lives. A recurring theme I noticed was the significant role of childhood upbringing in the lives of the interviewees. Although not always the case I noticed how interviewees who were displaced, neglected, or exposed to a variety of abuses as children later sought out drugs to cope with such intense life experiences. The drugs in turn becoming gateways to life experiences that were distressing. It’s not you! This very same cycle remains true for thousands of children who are born into circumstances beyond their control. You don’t decide who your family is or what you experience when the people meant to provide for and protect you neglect their duty, you can however decide how you show up. I admired the strength and transparency of the people whose interviews I was able to watch. Despite the conditions they’ve endured in their lives they speak with a sense of dignity, grace, and wisdom. My heart goes out to the children who are facing conditions beyond their control right now. I pray that they receive the help they deserve because at the end of the day love and nurturance breaks cycles and give roots to change that can last for generations.
Thank you for your support! As always much love and light.
©HajiThePoet
Link to Soft White Underbelly Channel
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=soft+white+underbelly
