When I walk through public spaces, I often find myself thinking about how unfairly they’re designed. Most places are built with a “standard” in mind—one that assumes everyone has perfect physical abilities. This raises a deeper question: how do we define what’s “normal”? People born with disabilities are often seen as “unfortunate” simply because they don’t fit this narrow idea of normalcy. But if we didn’t cling so tightly to these rigid standards, we wouldn’t be so quick to label people as “normal” or “disabled.” Instead, we should focus on creating spaces and systems that include everyone, regardless of their abilities.
I can’t help but think about how society doesn’t seem to get much better when it comes to larger issues like structural poverty. While the rich continue to get richer, those trapped in poverty are often overlooked. Many in power fail to recognize that structural poverty exists and that those affected by it need real, tangible support. How can we build an equitable society if we don’t acknowledge the privileges some people have and the barriers others face?
Kyle A. Reyes, with his deep expertise in humanity, cultural competence, and intercultural communication, beautifully captures this tension in Lenses of Humanity. One analogy in particular stuck with me—the analogy about left-handers. It illustrates how society often caters to the majority, leaving those who don’t fit the mold to struggle. This analogy hit home for me because it reflects thoughts I’ve had for years. I especially loved this part of the book because it made me realize how much I take my own right-handed habits for granted.
Lenses of Humanity is a well-crafted exploration of how we form our worldviews and how we can expand them. It provides readers with practical tools to reflect on their own perspectives and engage more meaningfully with the world. Through this, we can become more self-aware, better understand others, and build stronger connections. By embracing these lenses—personal reflection, contextual learning, empathy, and community building—we can contribute to a more compassionate and dignified world. In many ways, it serves as a guide for creating a more inclusive, empathetic society.
Reyes writes with the assumption that his readers want to grow in their understanding of different people, stories, and perspectives. He encourages us to step out of our comfort zones through exposure, education, and engagement, pushing us to broaden our empathy and challenge our biases.
Yet, the book also made me question: what about people who are completely indifferent to these issues? Reyes makes it clear that developing new perspectives requires a willingness to change. If someone doesn’t care to reflect on their own views, this book probably won’t relate with them. It’s meant for those who are open to learning and growth.
Summary
Lenses of Humanity offers a framework to help us understand how both individuals and societies develop a sense of dignity. The book breaks this down into four key lenses or perspectives that guide our personal growth and our connections with others.
The Inner Lens – Understanding Ourselves
The first step in our journey is looking inward. This means examining how we see the world, why we think the way we do, and how that affects the way we interact with others. Many of the thoughts we hold come from passive acceptance—we don’t always realize how external messages shape our beliefs.
For example, we tend to stereotype without thinking, sorting people into mental categories. We need to become more active in questioning these automatic judgments and the information we absorb. By becoming more aware of our biases, we can break out of this habit and engage more meaningfully with the world.
Our view of “normal” also plays a huge role. If we don’t analyze where our ideas of right and wrong come from, we miss the chance to learn from others. Our worldview is influenced by our culture, upbringing, and life experiences. What we consider normal might seem odd to someone else, and vice versa. Understanding these differences can help us bridge gaps between people.
A key exercise in the book is the “Characteristic Map,” where we explore three main factors that shape our view:
- Ascribed: Traits we’re born with.
- Roles: Responsibilities and jobs we’ve taken on.
- Experiences: The ups and downs that have shaped us.
By reflecting on these aspects, we can better understand why we see the world the way we do.
The Context Lens – Understanding Others
Once we’ve examined ourselves, the next step is to expand our understanding of the world around us. This is about learning the historical, cultural, and social contexts of others. If we broaden our perspectives, we can better understand different experiences and stories.
The book emphasizes the importance of being exposed to diverse viewpoints. Without it, our understanding is limited. When we encounter new perspectives, it might feel uncomfortable at first, but that discomfort is what drives growth.
We also need to seek out opportunities to educate ourselves—both formally and informally—about the histories, voices, and cultures that differ from our own. It’s through this exposure that we can better appreciate the humanity in everyone.
The Empathy Lens – Humanizing Our Interactions
Empathy is a powerful tool for connecting with others on a personal level. This section of the book explores how we can better relate to individuals by practicing humility and genuine curiosity. It reminds us that we don’t always have to agree with someone to learn from their experiences.
Empathy has layers: understanding what someone is going through (cognitive), feeling what they’re feeling (emotional), and wanting to support them (compassionate). We develop these layers by building relationships, sharing experiences, and facing life’s challenges together.
The Community Lens – Building Collective Understanding
Finally, the book addresses the role we play in our communities. It introduces the “Three Canoes” metaphor, which encourages us to always think of ourselves in the middle canoe, connected to the past, present, and future of our communities. This lens is about nurturing connections that strengthen our shared humanity.
In today’s digital world, social media has a dual role—it can help build communities but can also increase loneliness. It’s vital for us to teach future generations how to engage in real, meaningful interactions.
My Favorite Bits
The stories we are exposed to, live by, and tell ourselves will always be limited until we can value the stories and perspectives of different people.
Kyle A. Reyes, Lenses of Humanity
To build bridges of understanding between different people experience, we must first recognize that there is a difference in how people experience and view the world and that such experiences and worldviews are valuable, contextual, and worth knowing. We cannot build bridges to land masses we don’t know exist. And we cannot make meaningful connection with diverse individuals without valuing and understanding their contexts, identities, and narratives.
Kyle A. Reyes, Lenses of Humanity
A big thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC to review.
Author: Kyle A. Reyes, PhD
Publication date: 1 October 2024
Number of pages: 210 pages
