Disagreeing Without Dehumanizing Others

We can disagree without dehumanizing others.

In honor of the holiday season, I'm sharing a simple message: If we truly want to bring peace to the world, we need to live it. If you are sickened by the hate, violence, and the deep divisions in our world, take a positive step, even a small one, to build more constructive dialogues in your next meeting, at a holiday gathering, on your campus, or on social media.

Of course, not everyone can or should undertake this work; if you're experiencing discrimination, exclusion, or trauma, it may not be safe for you to engage in bridging conversations.

6 Things You Can Do Today!

🕊 Amplify messages of peace, rather than those that fuel hate or polarization.
🕊 Identify shared goals. We don't have to resolve our differences to find common ground.
🌈 Equity not hierarchy. At every level, we are interconnected. The notion that some issues or humans are more important than others stands in the way of building peace and justice for all.
🌈 Embrace the pause. Create spaces for reflection and healing especially when emotions are running high.
🪷 Put people before politics. Individualization (one of my top strengths, actually) helps us to see others as humans first--individuals with their own unique journeys. Hold space for others whose experiences are different from yours. Listen to their stories.
🪷 Commit to ongoing work. Keep the conversations going!

Building a culture of peace and dialogue starts with compassion, understanding, and shared humanity. Who's with me?

Image description: Infographic depicting a diverse group with the words “Not So Difficult Dialogues.” Image credit: @nystudentlife, Oct 27, 2021