QuoteThe writer Simone de Beauvoir said in 1948, "One is not born a woman, one becomes one." De Beauvoir accepted the precept that existence precedes essence, namely that certain characteristics and modes of expression have to be learnt by women in order to conform to what society accepts or recognises as "natural" female behaviour. Perhaps if she were alive today, she might revise her statement thus: "One may be born a human, but one becomes humane." -- Jane Czyzselska
Indeed. It seems to me that in the overarching concern to discover, maintain and defend at all costs our "identities" that we often devalue our depest identity, "human being." And in doing so, we disregard that our human growth must become, eventually, if we are to ever be whole and complete, "humane." Here is the human core, what makes us a "social animal." The race goes not to the swiftest or strongest or most creative, but to the most human.
Thank you, Tasha, for this wonderful commentary. And thanks to Jane Czyzselska for its creation.
Nichole
