Right to Dignity
By Michelle Heron
EQUAL IN DIGNITY (1)
One of the core principles of human rights is that all human beings are born “equal in dignity.” That is to say, one human life is not more deserving or valued higher than another. Every person should be considered equal and be allowed the same opportunities to grow up safely, provide themselves with basic necessities, and enjoy the same elemental freedoms. Nohad Nassif’s book, Arab Humanist, is for those who believe that everyone deserves to live with basic dignity in this unjust world. In order to achieve that, Nohad insists that a Universal Basic Income is a necessary and fundamental human right, which will protect people from exploitation, harassment, and violence against them.
“The goal of a Universal Basic Income is to give those in society who need it most more freedom to choose what is best for them, with the idea that this would be best for society as a whole” (21).
In Arab Humanist, we learn the story of Loulou, a young woman who emigrates with her family from Lebanon to the United States. As is the case with many immigrants, Loulou is confronted with many challenges that seem endless, especially after running away from her family. During Loulou’s countless struggles, the underlying theme of the book pervades: If Loulou and the other characters in the novel had the option of receiving a basic income, it would have allowed them more freedom to remove themselves from the often dangerous and unhealthy situations they were in.
We can feel a swift change from a dark place of hopelessness to one of positivity when Loulou gains financial freedom by accessing student loans at the recommendation from her school counseling center. It seems like for the first time in her life, she is able to focus on her goals and personal growth without worrying how she’ll be able to put a roof over her head, food on the table, or feeling the constant need to escape from unhealthy relationships.
For anyone who is familiar with psychology, this appears to mimic the theory of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs. This theory states that once someone’s physiological, safety, belonging, and esteem needs are met, only then can they focus on self-actualization to achieve a fulfilling human life. Like Loulou, many of us struggle daily due to financial hardships, just trying to afford the basic needs of food (physiological), a safe place to live with people we trust (safety and belonging) and accomplishing our goals (esteem), that we may never have the freedom to reach self-actualization.
With a Universal Basic Income in place, all humans would start from a place of financial equality where at least their most basic of needs could be met. Even the very poor and those unable to work due to disability, age, or illness should be entitled to a sense of dignity and not be forced to beg for food or be left without shelter.
EQUAL IN DIGNITY (2)
Through Loulou’s story, Nohad delves into the topic of women’s oppression in patriarchal and masculine cultures. As readers, we are witness to many instances where Loulou must deal with harassment, coercion, and the cruelty that comes along with such repression. Through her writing and illustrations, Nohad expresses the taboo of virginity, forced covering, forced marriage, and domestic violence. In the same vein, she’s asking for equality in dignity when it comes to gender. This book is truly a rally cry for us to start viewing society as “all is one and one is all.” The sooner we start giving the most vulnerable among us their deserved equal dignity, the sooner we’ll have a more peaceful world.
“Without realizing it, I was acting just like the pure angel daughter they wanted me to be. Purity culture dominated my mind, as well as all the minds of the people I knew. Angels don’t exist, but if one is found, she must have been brainwashed, pressured, coerced or abused into becoming one. A female angel is always created by someone else’s patriarchal fantasies” (36).
The book, Arab Humanist, has an unusual format: an autobiographical short story, story art, and a commentary section after each chapter that advocates (in a somewhat parallel reality to the story) for universal basic income. There is also a section called, “The Case for Basic Income by the Indirect Words of Renowned Writers.” With the words of Virginia Woolf, Gibran Khalil Gibran, and Charles Bukowski, Nohad demonstrates how these authors struggled in life, and then when they were supported financially, their timeless, creative works were born.
In both her writing and her art, Nohad presents a timid Loulou. Her unempowering upbringing affected her deeply. She was uncomfortable with confrontation and never learned the skills to stand up for herself or how to say no. This is reflected in pieces of artwork through Loulou’s uncertain gaze; she stares down, away, or peers out from behind her glasses. In juxtaposition, Nohad’s artwork is also colorful and playful with naked body parts, cartoons, and stuffed animals. Her dark subjects are visually stimulating, unique, and contrasting in style. Nohad’s personality, and perhaps that of Loulou, shines through in scenes of sarcasm that appear in both her writing and her art.
In Arab Humanist, Nohad discusses after each of her five chapters five reasons why we need to have a Universal Basic Income:
In Chapter 1, MOLDED TO FEAR, Nohad discusses, “Basic Income & Freedom of Mind.”
In Chapter 2, ARRANGED TO MARRY, she tackles “Basic Income, Early and Forced Marriage.”
In Chapter 3, FORCED TO RUN, she deals with “Basic Income, Homelessness & Crime.”
In Chapter 4, BROKEN TO PIECES, she goes into “Basic Income & Domestic Workers.”
And in Chapter 5, MENDED TO LOVE, she discusses “Basic Income & Abortion.”
Arab Humanist is to be continued and will be further exploring the topic of why a universal basic income will help create more dignified societies.
“A basic income will not solve all injustices against women, children, and other marginalized groups – at the same time, we have to work on other supportive and sustainable solutions. However, by offering the poor (especially women) financial stability, it gives them a powerful tool to start overcoming their oppression and an opportunity to better care for their children, the elderly, and disabled” (23).
