Kindness Helps Both Society and Ourselves

The word, “nice”, has three definitions: “The ability to give pleasure or joy,” “Of attractive and good quality” and “Kind, polite, and friendly”. It would be assumed that such a universal word would be the focus of the lives of people around the world. Unfortunately, the opposite rings true.

On August 12, an alt-right rally brought white supremacists groups as well as counter protestors to Charlottesville, VA, after plans to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee emerged. One person died while 19 others were injured when a car, “plough[ed] at speed into several slow-moving vehicles, which were surrounded by a densely packed crowd,” BBC reports. This incident showed that the nation is still divided and racism is prevalent in the United States. An incident as sick and cruel as what happened in Charlottesville could have been reduced significantly if an act of simple kindness was made.

People tend to avoid kindness because people fear becoming “too nice”. According to Huffington Post, people who are seen as too nice are also seen as, “insecure and disingenuous”, as well as being a pushover. However, increased kindness in the world can reap tremendous benefits, both physically and mentally.

The most important benefit of kindness is its benefits to one’s health. One of these benefits includes living longer, as, “everyone from the elderly to alcoholics to people living with AIDS saw their health improve if they did volunteer work,” according to ABC News. Other benefits of kindness, such as reduced stress and increased happiness, are also proven to increase longevity.

Less stress and happiness are just a few of the additional mental benefits of kindness. As Lindsay Homes, a writer for Huffington Post, people who are kind to others tend to be seen as more trustworthy, have better interactions, which in turn will increase one’s salary. Success in the workforce aids in the reduction of stress and tends to increase happiness.

In addition, kindness is shown to be part of natural human behavior. The University of Buffalo conducted research that concludes that kindness may also be a part of our genetics. In the study, researchers found that some people are born with genes that contain the ability to respond to oxytocin and vasopressin; these naturally-occurring chemicals are associated with the feelings of love and generosity.

What occurred in Charlottesville on August 12 is scientifically proven to be unnatural and unhealthy for anyone to carry out. Along with the use of the terms, “Nazi”, and “White Supremacist”, the reputation of the alt-right rally participants is sure to be completely demolished. This does not have to happen again if people know how the benefits of kindness extremely outweigh the costs. At a time of unrest, discrimination, and a divided nation, being kind to others is one of the most important and the most urgent action to take part in.