How to Dismantle Hate and Undivide America

I cringe when I hear terms like, “white people,” “black people,” “Hispanic people,” and “Asian people.”

• “Democrats”
• “Republicans”
• “Muslims”
• “Christians”
• “Buddhists”
• “Atheists”
• Etc. Etc.

When we group humans by physical attributes and ideology, a very subtle thing can happen…moving from descriptors to definitions. What was used to describe or help classify turns to defining “type.”

For example, I’ve not watched or read much news for a reason. I keep up on necessary happenings to stay attune to how we’re impacting ourselves and others, but that’s rare because I found the more I watch and read, the more I hate white people. What does that even mean?

It means I’ve moved from descriptors to definitions, and now I’ve made “white people” a homogenous consciousness and type…one that collectively hurts, ignores, judges, murders, falsely imprisons, and generally is disgusting to people like me.  I don’t like you anymore…if you’re white. So, what does that mean?

It means I can treat you differently because you’re an “oppressor.” I can hate you because you “keep my people down.” You’re different. You’re dangerous. You’re to be avoided at all cost. You’re not my family. You’re not me. You’re not even human.

That’s what destroys a nation.

If white people keep experiencing black people who feel this way, then it’s tempting to feel similarly. Black people pout. They don’t want to work. They blame white people for everything. They want handouts. They’re dangerous and riot. They’re to be avoided at all cost. They’re not my family. They’re not me. They’re not even human. 

See the pattern?

Then, I meet some white people (and this happened) that talk about racial injustice more passionately and authentically than I do. They’re “different” white people. I’ve got a choice to make. Will I dismiss them as exceptions so I can keep my idea about “other” white people or admit I’m part of the problem? It’s what happens when “typed groups” act differently. Cognitive dissonance (when incompatible beliefs and attitudes are held simultaneously) compels me to compartmentalize “exceptions” OR say, “I’m lazy, unauthentic, and prideful (which I was). I’d rather keep my hate than do the work of knowing individuals through relationship. I’ve allowed myself to believe some people aren’t human—that they’re not me. I need to change the way I think.”

I’ve allowed myself to believe some people aren’t human—that they’re not me.

I’m not an advocate for justice if I compartmentalize “exceptions” to protect my idea of “type.” Doing so strengthens the disunity cycle. The more we “type,” the faster it goes, creating increasing chaos until no group trusts the other, we become radicalized and intolerant of difference, we make “others” our enemies, we fight over and diminish resources rather than team to produce and replenish them, the Constitution is aimed at protecting groups rather than the whole, politics is weaponized to protect “types” rather than ensure freedom for all, etc. Remind you of anything?

We’re not going to sustain our way of life if we’re not humble enough to give up ideas of “type.” We’ll implode. Others will have to manage us who’re likely not as concerned about our “individual freedoms.” Freedom is choosing to sacrifice self-interest for the good of all. It sounds like love. If we choose to hate, then how deep our slavery has become.

You are me. I may not agree with you. I may have to protect myself or others from the choices you make. However, that won’t (only sometimes by God’s forgiveness and mercy working through me) keep me from hoping you’ll know the definition of freedom I described. My worst bondage just might be slavery to my own self-interests. What could happen if we turned from guarding our “types” to protecting us all? The results might change our nation and even the world. Human-centered leadership, and resulting legislation and policy, defines, models, and conveys standards to sustain, direct, and protect all its citizens and meet their basic needs. Not just a few.

Human-centered leadership, and resulting legislation and policy, defines, models, and conveys standards to sustain, direct, and protect all its citizens and meet their basic needs. Not just a few.

What would happen if we centered our collective potential on that? Share your thoughts in the comments.