The Elephant Man: Have We Truly Evolved in How We Perceive Differences?

The Elephant Man is a 1980 biographical drama film, directed by David Lynch, loosely based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man who lived in London in the late 19th century. David Lynch passed away a few weeks ago, which brought back memories of this film that I watched on French television when I was still young.

It is one of those films that deeply challenges its viewers. The story takes place just a hundred years ago, yet society’s fear of those who are different remains largely unchanged. While progress has been made, the patriarchal structure still dominates, and history has shown that social evolution is slow. Despite advancements in scientific research, many concepts that were once seen as sorcery are now understood, yet the fundamental notion that we are all human beings sharing the same planet is still relatively new. Consider that the discovery of America occurred in 1492, slavery in the United States lasted from 1776 to 1865, and the Me Too movement only began in 2006.

Why Is It So Difficult to Change Society?

Transforming society is inherently difficult because it requires changing individuals at their core—their mindsets and perspectives. Culture, education, and personal experience all shape the way people think, even within the same society. However, the crucial step is recognizing our differences while embracing our shared humanity. We are, after all, a single species, inhabiting the same planet.

Are We Still Divided by Our Histories?

There are as many histories as there are nations, each shaped at a time when civilizations were largely unaware of one another. Borders, ideologies, and prejudices were built before we even acknowledged our common ancestry. Even now, as humanity stands on the verge of creating artificial intelligence that could pose an existential threat, this basic understanding of unity remains elusive for many.

So, have we truly evolved in how we see and treat those who are different? Or are we still trapped by the same fears and divisions? What are your thoughts on this?