We are now a few weeks into a new year. A new administration is installed in Washington, DC, but the road to recovery is still being paved. The political atmosphere we experienced over the last five years and especially those of the past few months left many of us fearful and suspicious. We all have friends, colleagues, even family members who reside on the opposite political side from us. We observe them with unease, disappointment, and distress. Many of us wonder how could someone accept such an obscure reality and reside in it so defiantly.
Our political conversation transformed from an evidence-based, cause-driven to an emotional, personality-focused. This toxic political environment now affects other, non-political conversations, by labeling the sides friend or foe based on their political orientation. The two sides are cemented within their camps, and there is no convincing the other person in our ways or views. The more we hear each other, the more we barricade in our respective positions. The only way to avoid conflict or a fight is to avoid each other altogether. Right?
Wrong. Absolutely not!
We make countless independent choices throughout our life. Some of them have (and will) be criticized by those who see a different path for the same pick. We may go to great length in how much explaining our preference to someone else and still fail to convince them. We must respect their opinions and choices as much as we would wish for ours to be respected.
The January 6th violent storming of the Capitol was an action born in misinformation, ignited by fear, and fed with hate. Many continue to allow that fear to cocoon and isolate them from learning any news or information that could extinguish that fear or at least reduce its intensity. This is a similar track that leads people to part ways in friendship and marriage; they conceive a form of reality based on select facts and refuse to accept any other point of view. A way to bring the two sides onto a common ground is through patient conversation and goodwill. Fear and hate are not inherited – they are taught through endless efforts until they completely cloud the mind of the pupil and leave him blind to all other options. Our task right now is two-fold: to check our own position and make sure we are orientated with reality, and extend our hand in compassion and support to those who need it. We are not here to cast blame or preach. We are tasked with shaping those verbal swords into civil plows so we can build a future of community and respect, not rot among the smoldering ruins of our divisions.
Much like in any disagreement among loved ones, we remain family and neighbors at the end of the day. No one is moving to a different house, state, or continent. The parts that form our binds before will no disappear, but will inflict pain on those who chose separation and isolation.
Our task going forward is new only by the magnitude of the action. We have done this before, every time we fought and made peace, so we know the drill. In my previous essay about leadership, I wrote: “If you find yourself in the (unsure about your ability to lead) group but have the right support system, you could choose to accept the challenge despite not meeting all the conditions.” Our current civic atmosphere is not just an opportunity, it is a call for duty. It is upon all of us to extend our hand in unity to subdue disinformation, mistrust, and hate, and build a brighter future that we will all be proud to be part of.