As I sit here at my desk in dawn’s breaking light, wrapped in the warmth of a cozy morning, I watch the cars’ headlights on their daily journey eastward as they cross the bridge from the ‘other side’ of the river to ‘my side’. It’s a familiar scene, but today it symbolizes something more profound. In a world where distant conflicts weigh heavily on my heart and mind, I’m reminded of our innate human tendency to categorize and separate people based on who we are and what/who fits within an often ill-defined set of criteria we’ve never taken time to challenge or questione. We label them as ‘others’ when they don’t quite fit into the same box we do, whether it’s because of their economic status, social background, demographic, or beliefs.

We humans have a knack for dividing people into categories. It’s like we’re wired with an ‘us vs. them’ switch. We judge folks by the color of their skin, their financial situation, or their level of education. It’s not because we want to exclude them, but somehow, it’s more we don’t want to INclude them because we they’re different than us. Unfortunately, this tendency results in our seeing ‘the others’ as separate, distant, not quite part of our group and in severe circumstances, not quite human because of prejudice and dehumanization.

This ‘othering’ habit creates invisible walls of intolerance and exclusion. It stands in stark contrast to the ideals of belonging and acceptance, becoming a major obstacle in building a fair and just society.

Now, let’s be real. Even if you, like me, grew up with parents who encouraged you to walk through life with an open heart and an inclusive nature, you might find that most of your close friends look a lot like you in terms of appearance, faith, and financial background. It’s not a deliberate choice; it just sort of happens.

But here’s the thing: if we genuinely want inclusivity, we need to step outside our comfort zones. We must embrace the vibrant diversity that surrounds us. Sure, it can be uncomfortable, and it might even feel unfair to expect someone to be your “teacher” just because they’re different, with loving tolerance, we can learn to understand, and create space for their ‘different’ to become less different and more… normal. The fact is, the only way to break through those invisible barriers to diversity is by opening doors to the unknown and walking through our ignorance to understanding.

To move beyond ‘othering,’ we must confront our discomfort head-on. We need to actively seek out experiences and perspectives that challenge our assumptions. It’s not always easy, but it’s undoubtedly worthwhile. This is how we develop greater tolerance, understanding, and empathy for others, especially when global events might lead us to misplace our discomfort through prejudice, racial intolerance, and, in some cases, violence.

In a world where divisions and prejudices often run deep, I’ve come to understand that recognizing and combating our natural inclination to ‘other’ people is essential. By consciously embracing diversity, seeking different viewpoints, and addressing our own biases, we can make significant progress toward a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Ultimately, to create a world where everyone experiences belonging, we must work together to break down the invisible walls of ‘othering’ and construct bridges of understanding and empathy. Regardless of our differences in appearance, education, faith, or skin color, we all share this planet. Why not live on it as one human race, where everyone belongs?

We’re all in this world together. What if together, we choose to make this moment the one where we come together to build bridges of tolerance and understanding, rather than walls of animosity and aggression?

What if, instead of pushing those who are different than us away, we choose to draw closer to the heart of who we are—human beings on the journey of our lifetimes, searching for a place where we know we belong?