I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot with the current political and social climate we are living through, in January 2025 at least.
I’ve never been a fan of subdividing humanity – it always seems to lead to hate. I also grew up listening to the Rush song – so that may be part of why I feel so strongly about this. I’m also a libra and equality among all humans is something that I’ll never stop struggling with.
When you start subdividing your neighbors into large chunks and condemning everyone within certain groups, you are only limiting your perspective and hurting yourself. That being said – you can still completely disagree with these people. It’s the very act of dividing ourselves that causes issues.
Even just stating that – I am probably making people mad. I’m not saying to let go of your convictions and morals – but maybe apply those convictions and morals on a case by case basis.
Humans are full of logical fallacies, errors in judgement, social anxieties, and a million other complex traits that make humanity what it is.
Each of us wants to be recognized as a complex entity – and forgiven for our errors. If you are having a bad day and are a bit of a jerk to someone you know, when you apologize to them, you often explain the circumstances that lead you to being a jerk and acknowledge that often has nothing to do with the person you are apologizing to. We hope for empathy when we make mistakes, because we all make mistakes.
If you can’t admit that you make mistakes, you may as well stop reading now. I’m expecting a certain amount of self awareness and grace from you – you have made errors, and you have hoped for empathy from your fellow humans in response to the errors you have made. I don’t think a single person can claim that statement is false – if you are, you need to take some time for introspection before you condemn me.
Now let’s look at humanity as a whole. If we recognize every individual human errs, and that every individual human hopes for empathy from others, suddenly we can see that we are all in the same bucket. Regardless of your thoughts on religion, race, gender, or any of the political and social issues we like to use to subdivide – we all make mistakes and we all want to be treated with kindness and understanding.
Now let’s look at a group of people you don’t like. Is there any possibility that the reason you’ve put them into that group – is because they made a mistake?
I’ve heard the argument that ‘they knew what they were doing’ given as a reason to never let go of a condemnation. Sure, they knew, however you did too when you made whatever mistakes you have in your life.
People make stupid decisions in life based entirely on emotions – usually fear. They are afraid of losing something, they are afraid of being condemned, and often that fear is abstract and not even something they could easily define if asked. People who hate LBGTQIA+ people are usually threated in some way they aren’t going to be able to express verbally – they can’t even articulate the thought, but it’s a deep rooted fear in their psyche that they don’t want to inflect on.
You can put the responsibility on them to self reflect and make better choices, but often they can’t – or won’t. Does that mean you should waste your time and effort hating them though? Is it a better use of your time to not let them cross your mind and focus on moving forward in love with those willing and receptive to that love?
I’m into equality for all, but I can’t waste my time and soul hating those that don’t feel the same way as me. It’s not productive and living in a state of hate and fear is the epitome of suffering. I don’t want to suffer through life.
Will I try to talk to people calmly and logically when I disagree with them to try to change their mind? Yes. Will I lose sleep over the fact that I will never change their mind? No – or I am the one suffering.
I just write this in the hope that people stop subdividing each other. I see this far too often on the left. Even when someone agrees with you 99% – there’s people quick to condemn and hate them for a mistake, for not saying the right thing, for not agreeing with you 100%.
It’s not helpful to any cause to tear down others who mostly agree with you, because they aren’t exactly like you.
We are seeing groups of people only interact with eachother, and then subdivide further and only interact with people who never ever contradict them. It inhibits growth as a species and destroys empathy.
If you immediately condemn someone the first time you disagree – are you giving them the empathy you’d hope for when you make a mistake?
People end friendships today over tiny disagreements. ‘I’m more caring and empathetic than you are and I disagree with what you said so we are no longer friends!’ seems to be a common theme in many left leaning circles.
We all need a little more empathy, and a lot less fear and anger.
Please don’t condemn the people on your own team, please don’t toss out relationships because you don’t want to have a conversation or ever feel uncomfortable.
Society can’t move forward if we won’t interact with one another – so let’s keep interacting with one another. Society can’t evolve without change and communication – let’s keep growing and talking.