Looking at recent events and the way it is covered in the news, we see a growing divide between attackers and defenders, supporters and opponents, suspects and victims. When we go online to inform us, social media algorithms ensure that we only get to see the opinions of people in our own tribe, our friends, our communities. It is so much easier to feel supported in our opinion than to go against the grain. In the virtual world, when we see opposing opinions online, we can easily criticize or simply block them from behind our screens, so we no longer have to see them.
But have we forgotten that we all descended from the same tribe? Aren’t we all from the same source? What sets people apart from any other living creature on the planet is our ability to tell stories and thus create bonds and connections. Is it possible that it has become more difficult to solve problems because we have forgotten how to start a descent conversation? How to ask questions and sincerely listen to each other’s stories before taking violent action? Sincerely trying to understand before we label and judge?
Solutions are more likely to be found in our connectedness rather than in our separation. Despite our differences, we have so much more in common that unites us.
Let’s share our stories, as our stories make us human. They hold our dreams, hopes and desires and when listened to, they may hold the answers we are looking for.
