Diversity is the spice of life, and there has been a variety of opinions in this world about the coronavirus these days. Should we wear a mask? Should we social distance?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of each. Why are some people so against the idea of wearing a protective face covering? Are they wrong? Are we right?
What should be done in general to help flatten this ever-continuing curve?
Everyone’s got their own perspective on life. Some lean Democrat. Some lean Republican. It really depends.
Growing up in New York City, I have to admit that I am a bit biased towards liberalism. At some points, I sub-consciously think of liberals as the good guys and the conservatives as the bad guys.
What about taking it a step further, and seeing democracy as the good government system, and communism as the bad one?
Where do all these opinions and ideas come from? It seems like at an early age in school, I was pre-programmed to believe in certain ideals as an American child.
It’s the same for kids in all types of countries. School teaches them how to act, and how to think. It’s an important part of society, and it plays a role in our biases or in some ideas that we simply take for granted once we reach a mature age.
This isn’t necessarily a problem per say. It’s just a way of life. A way to kind of get by in society and thrive as an American, a Chinese, a French, a Brazilian, our whatever culture and race you identify with.
At some point, we will develop our perspectives on life. We will reach a consensus on what is defined as good and bad. Right and wrong.
We will have some preconceived notion as to what is the ideal life. What is supposed to happen. And what is not supposed to happen.
It’s just the way it is. Everyone has their own view. So, which exactly is the right way and what exactly is the wrong way to think of things?
It used to be so clear. As an American, I saw capitalism as the way to go. Democracy was the way to govern. After all, what better way than “power to the people?”
As I grow older, I’m trying to wean myself away from those strong thoughts of good and bad. Democracy may be the system for America, but that doesn’t mean it will work well in all countries and communities.
It really depends on the environment, the people, and their way of life. And every group of people is different in the way they think and act.
I’m sure some people despise America and see the way they govern themselves to be deplorable and heinous. Are those people the “bad guys”? Should they be condemned instead of cherished?
How can we bridge these gaps, combine these perspectives, and respect everyone for who they are - regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and other ideals?
It’s tough. And America is nowhere near immune to these fights between different ideologies. I guess sometimes it’s good to see a different perspective on things. See how it is like on the other side of the fence.
See the beauty of the other guys. The “bad” guys. And see them as human beings simply with their own strong beliefs and identities, just like everyone else.
Of course, it’s fine to have your own beliefs and ideals. That’s also what makes human beings human. That’s what makes this beautiful world so diverse and spicy in its actions.
The purpose of trying to see a different perspective is to simply realize that the more different we think we are, the more similar we become.
After all, human beings have different habits, different personalities, different ideologies. And this beautiful world would not be what it is today without that happening.
It’s tough to put into words. But, what I’m simply trying to say is to open up our minds a little bit. Be more patient, loving, kind, and empathetic to the people that you see to be different.
The immigrants. The conservatives. The liberals. The Southerners. The Northerners. The communists. The socialists. The capitalists.
Regardless of what you identify as, there will always be a group of people out there that identify with the exact opposite.
The more we realize this and accept the others for who they are, the less polarization will exist and the better off I believe this world can be.