Who included me among the ranks of the human race?

Who included me among the ranks of the human race?

Joseph Brodsky, the renowned Russian poet and essayist, often grappled with questions of identity, belonging, and the human experience in his works. One of the central themes that Brodsky explored was the idea of inclusion in the ranks of the human race. In his poetry and essays, he frequently pondered the question, "Who included me among the ranks of the human race?"

For Brodsky, this question was not just a philosophical inquiry, but a deeply personal one. As a Jewish man growing up in Soviet Russia, Brodsky faced discrimination and persecution based on his ethnicity and beliefs. He was often made to feel like an outsider, someone who did not truly belong in the society in which he lived. This sense of alienation and otherness fueled much of Brodsky's writing, as he sought to understand his place in the world and his connection to humanity.

In his poem "To Urania," Brodsky reflects on the idea of inclusion in the human race, writing, "Who included me among the ranks of the human race? / Who gave me the right to be one of them?" These lines speak to Brodsky's profound sense of gratitude and wonder at being counted among his fellow human beings. Despite the challenges and hardships he faced, Brodsky never lost sight of the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

Throughout his career, Brodsky continued to explore the themes of identity and belonging in his poetry and essays. He delved into the nature of language, memory, and history, seeking to uncover the truths that bind us together as human beings. In doing so, Brodsky challenged his readers to consider their own place in the world and the responsibilities that come with being a member of the human race.