Statistics are formulated through a process that involves the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation and organization of data.

Data, formulated through this process, can be helpful in identifying trends, historical patterns and the performance of athletes. But, it is less helpful, and probably even a disservice, to rely on statistics when it comes to truly understanding another human being.

There is not a human being, including myself, that I’ve gotten to know and appreciate through the presentation of statistics regarding “people like them.” And yet, I have been manipulated into believing that it is equitable to substitute a statistic, in place of my ignorance about someone else.

It’s dangerous to confuse knowing a statistic about a population, with knowing a population. A statistic represents data, not a person.

When you know who you are, nobody can make you a statistic– But, when someone doesn’t know who you are, they may try.