Philosophical

The purpose of Human…1st is to bring attention to our most important attribute...to the one undeniable common denominator we possess as a species – our humanity. This may seem obvious, but we certainly have never learned to behave as if it is.

 

Human…1st purports to become a mindset and philosophy from which all decisions made by human beings on a personal or political level address the basic questions: "Does this action or position work in favor of humanity as a whole, first and foremost? Is it ethical on a global basis?"

 

As we all too well know, human history is fraught with violence and prejudice over a whole range of perceived and real differences - race, color, tribe, religion, soccer teams. And with the advent of more ruthless and efficient technologies, the ability to exterminate ourselves, and planet earth in the process, is getting easier by the day.

 

One of the greatest danger triggers the world faces is political and personal nationalism – the belief or notion that the values of our particular "country or race" trump all – that they're a more important identifier than our common humanity. We see this every day in the way governments and people behave. We're not talking about healthy national pride here. We're referring to ethnocentrism and the subtle form of ultra-nationalism that always seems to lead straight to discrimination, subjugation and suffering while bolstering erroneous notions of superiority. It's a divider like no other. Human…1st proposes to establish a philosophical and communications platform through which this can be addressed and ultimately reversed.

 

Human…1st is not an idea that wishes to undermine the importance of the love and loyalty for our nation or culture of origin. That is something that has a rightful place in most men and women's hearts. It solely seeks to relegate it to the position of secondary identifier. In other words, we believe that at this particular point in history, it is important to stress that we are all human, first and that we are (fill-in nationality/race/religion), second.

 

This will not be an easy process to establish. The path to a consensus will probably be difficult to navigate. There are too many entrenched, controlling forces, motivated by money, power, arrogance and self-interest, which will be more than happy to work against the existence and proliferation of such a concept. Unity can scare a lot of people.

 

And yes, Human…1st is a simple idea. But it's an idea whose power lies in that devastating simplicity. And ultimately, it's an idea that has the potential to infiltrate mass consciousness with relative ease and could prove to be a unifier like no other.

 

Some will call Human…1st naïve, overly idealistic and a wild dream that's impossible to achieve. And we acknowledge that it will probably take a long, long time for the concept to take hold, if ever. But we believe we have to start somewhere and that someone has to do it. And at a moment when the threats to our amazing biosphere and to our existence as a species are increasing, we ask, shy not right now? Why not start emphasizing and realizing that we are all human...first?

 

Tactical

Visual mass media will be key to spreading the Human…1st message and philosophy – specifically television and the internet. A series of video spots are being envisioned that would elegantly, efficiently and powerfully disseminate the core idea to the global population.

 

We see the script for the video spot and the message developing as follows:

 

An Asian man is seen, talking directly to the camera and viewer. He speaks in his native tongue and says: "I'm Japanese, but I'm human, first."The camera dissolves to a black man who says: "I'm Nigerian, but I'm human, first". This is followed by a Nordic looking woman who says: "I'm Norwegian, but I'm human, first." The last dissolve we see could be a Caucasian man who says: “I'm an American, but I'm human first.

 

All foreign languages not indigenous to the specific target market would be subtitled. And of course, race and nationality are totally interchangeable. Human…1st sees this concept as both a TV and promotional cyber spot to be exposed internationally. We'll eventually create a not-for-profit organization and will probably be actively involved in fundraising. The spot(s) will be the first step in introducing the Human…1st idea to the world.

 

Ideally, the second step would be to ask for musical contributions from around the planet to create a human/world anthem. The anthem could perhaps be created by using different world instruments and vocalists (this would of course have to be explored further). Ultimately, the human anthem would be played at any international event (social/political/sports) where national anthems are usually played. It would be meant to precede those anthems.

 

And since humans and governments appear to gravitate towards flags so much, why not create a human/world flag as well?

 

In the long term, we see Human…1st materials being distributed in schools where they can reach young people before prejudice and xenophobia have a chance to take hold. Posters (i.e. I'm an American, but I'm human, first) could be ideal for this purpose.

 

It is important to stress that Human…1st is void of a traditional political agenda. It does not endorse or support any specific party or organization.

 

Human…1st is a blank slate whose sole purpose is to promote our common humanity and to help eradicate conflict and war based on superficial differences.

 

Human...1st does not mean "we first", as in humans over any other species. That's why we put the ellipsis in there. It's about claiming our rightful place in the context of the whole, alongside every other form of biological living entity.

 

Human...1st does not support the idea of one world government. We believe in cultural and national autonomy, blending into a rich global mosaic united by our common humanity.