“Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
What makes “us” different from “them?”
Who are “we” and who are “they?”
Do “they” think the same things about “us?”
Effective communication is dependent on perspective. Not just your perspective but having understanding and empathy for the perspective of others.
Assuming or projecting what you think as “what they think” does not really count as empathy. It is not. Odds are such ideas are wrong and actually based on your perspective, not theirs. Sorry.
To only see your perspective lacks dimension. It also suggests arrogance, as none of us are perfect. Is it our place to claim we are always right? Would you believe someone that made such a claim?
The next time you talk about “us” or “we” … just remember that to someone else you may be “them” and “they.”
You do not have to agree with the perspectives of others but that should not stop you from understanding those perspectives. Doing so will open the doors of effective communication that you may have never known even existed.
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What about you and me?
I have always felt that prejudice starts when we say “them”. And of course we cannot communicate effectively if we have prejudged the people with whom we are trying to communicate. Great article.