It’s not easy to navigate work or community gatherings when the people around us hold opposing social and political views—and are vocal about them. These preferences are expressed through what they say, what they wear, how they decorate their homes, and even more prominently, through their digital footprints on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. These perspectives can trigger strong emotions in us, especially as we wrestle with our own beliefs and visions for how we want the world to be.
With the 2024 presidential election upon us, it’s important to stay grounded.. We must avoid becoming so defensive that we see those who hold different beliefs as enemies. Once we start viewing them as enemies, we lose the ability to see them as fellow human beings. When opposing beliefs surface, our focus often shifts to how those differences are expressed, rather than understanding the root causes driving people’s beliefs and what they hope their candidates or political affiliations will achieve to meet their needs.
In 2016, before the election, DMC hosted community discussions that explored divisive topics such as women’s rights, immigration, religion, policing, poverty, and housing. These forums brought together people from various walks of life—different age groups, religions and non-religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political affiliations. The focus was on discussing the root causes of their beliefs, rather than the surface-level topics. This approach gave attendees the chance to engage in deep, small-group discussions and share the themes in a larger setting. It provided an opportunity for people to articulate their fears, concerns, and desires.
At the end of each session, participants would often say, “We don’t have the right people here.” When I asked why, they’d explain that they wanted those with opposing views to be present. I’d always respond by reminding them that the “others” they were referring to were, in fact, already in the room. I’d point out that the audience included Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Christians, Muslims, atheists, LGBTQ+ individuals, formerly incarcerated people, politicians, and more. The room would fall silent. It was a reminder not to jump to conclusions or assume that everyone present shared the same worldview. It was always refreshing to see participants realize this and engage in meaningful conversations afterward.
I encourage you to continue seeing the other person as a human being and to try to understand what drives their position beyond the position itself. Viewing others as fellow human beings reduces fear and limits the hatred or bitterness you might feel toward them for having a different political or social perspective. Fear, anger, and bitterness can trap us and prevent us from thinking rationally and approaching complex issues with thoughtfulness and reflection. Striving for understanding doesn’t mean accepting or converting to the other person’s belief system. Instead, it helps you comprehend the root causes influencing their views and reduces the negative emotions you might harbor toward those with different perspectives.
The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.