We, humans, are animals. That's what it comes down to. We are mammals just like a dog, just like a lion. But…We have the power of higher thinking, so controlling our thoughts and feelings is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. When you really think about it, it is a beautiful thing that we all have such a special talent.

There are plenty of times mother nature tests the human race's decision-making abilities. Greed and lust lead people to act as animals, pushing them to wage war on others or otherwise go against their moral compasses. But unless in extreme circumstances, everyone has a choice on how they react to the world around them.

What are we going to do to separate ourselves from the rest of the animal kingdom? What actions can we justify with nothing more than being a respectful person?

A lot of people are in an uproar right now. Everyone has something to fight for. Black lives, gender equality, gay marriage, religion. The recognition is so important for the people fighting for their rights, yet there are people fighting just as hard not to accept the recognition. But what we are forgetting is that the issue lies deeper than one of these fights.

The issue lies within humanity. We need to start respecting people not because we need diversity inclusion in the workplace and school, but because we are all human beings. It should be civil rights for all. We are all capable of acting unpleasantly when we hear something we don't agree with, or something we find dumb, so what will it take to be different than the masses of people who can't hold their tongue.

You can argue and say, "what about people that have committed unforgivable crimes?" I'm not talking about those special circumstances, although you can still choose to accept that they made bad choices and then move on with your life. It doesn't mean you are agreeing with or advocating what they do. That aside, it's not that bad to treat people with respect when you don't agree with their actions.

What I'm trying to say is that when you are faced with a situation that can turn you into an animal, you have the power to walk away when people are getting under your skin. You don't have to sink to other people's level. You still have the right to disagree and approach a debate from a different angle than trying to offend someone or fight them. The more you practice being the bigger person, the stronger you really are.

Remember in the movie Mean Girls when Cady looks at the cafeteria like an African savanna? Everyone coexists until someone decides that wrong-doing and revenge is the right thing to do. Before you know it, tension builds and bleeds into the other, seemingly peaceful, cliques, until all hell breaks loose. Just like that climactic scene, you can choose to fight it out like animals or you can choose to be civilized. What are you going to do to set yourself apart from the other animals?