Emma Caroline Brown

Editor

Right now, it feels as if the world is on fire and things are out of control, and the main thing we are missing right now is empathy.

Tensions are so high and the hatefulness is boiling over in so many ways, and we are constantly being divided and pitted against one another based on our differences — no matter how big or how small.

In order for us to break down barriers, we must put empathy into our conversations.

Empathy does not mean agreement. Empathy means that we try to understand each other and our different experiences.

Conversations, especially political conversations, have become spoiled by the mindset of “Well, I’m right, and you’re wrong,” which we all so confidently stand behind. However, by approaching a conversation, issue or situation with this mindset, we are only deepening the divide that is already keeping us from being able to approach uncomfortable conversations.

There needs to be an open line of communication between all of us, but the most important component in having this open line is the ability to listen. We are so quick to dismiss others who differ from us, but we need to able to listen, redirect, and teach with an open mind and an open heart.

Not everyone will have the same perspective, opinions or upbringing as you, and this can be a hard reality to grasp. At times when we are confronted with conflicting mindsets or opinions, we need to understand that you cannot always change people’s minds.

You may find yourself getting angry with someone who has such drastically different views on life and politics, but by bringing hate into the conversation, you are only pushing the person farther away and making their mindset more solid.

Maya Angelou once said, “Hate — it has caused a lot of problems in this world but has not solved one yet.”

Angelou’s wise words need to be amplified in these times. Hateful speech, actions and ideas come from all directions, but by trying to combat hate with hate, we are making no progress and are not teaching each other anything.

There can be no progress, no communication, no kindness and no understanding if we do not allow ourselves to be empathetic and willing to listen.

We are all here together, going through the motions of life and enduring our various struggles, and by sowing more hate and ignorance, we add to the world’s innumerable troubles.

We need to be able to count on one another and know we have a mutual love and understanding, both of which can only be accomplished by having empathy. This is the only way forward in such divisive, hateful times that are only driving us further apart.