Are we really human? What is the definition of a human being? What makes us human? Society is so complicated that anything can be true these days. In Judith Butler's essay, "Besides Self: On the Limits of Sexual Autonomy," she discusses how vulnerable humans are to the life around us, socially and physically, and how dependable humans are towards others. She also uses examples such as grief to define who we are because when humans go through the grieving process, it reveals who that person really is and it can change them forever. Some people go through the grieving process differently because it affects everyone. Losing a loved one can change your outlook on life and the way you see things. We live in a country where everyone will be judged and looked at differently, regardless of gender. In some countries like the United States, people discriminate against others to some extent based on their gender, race, and sexuality. Butler states that “to be a body is to be handed over to others, even if a body is ‘our own,’ to which we must claim the right to autonomy” (242). Gays and lesbians need to be exposed to the world because some of them try to hide their true identity because they are afraid of how others will view them. There are some who express their sexuality openly because they feel comfortable with who they are as human beings and do not feel different from others. The gender or sexuality of a human being does not matter because our body will never be autonomous as it is affected by others around us. This is where humans are vulnerable to violence and aggression. In countries around the world, violence and attacks are drawn towards the paper men we are today. Loving and supporting others, whatever your tastes, is the nature of life. Being violent and showing hatred towards others is also a part of life, unfortunately. Humans are vulnerable to the world, socially and physically. There is no right answer to what makes humans normal. Everyone is normal in their own way and no matter what a person does, there will always be others who judge you and find every way possible to hate you. This is why a person should be themselves and do what makes them happy, because no one is perfect. Humans being humans is what makes life livable and reliable and humans reliable. Works Cited Butler, Judith. “Outside oneself: at the limits of sexual autonomy”. Ways Of Readers An anthology for writers. Ed. Davis Bartholomew and Anthony Petrosky. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2011. 240-257. Print.