Unity In Diversity
A lot of hatred is being propagated on social media these days. On this episode of the podcast, Aaron and Joyce talk on how we can find unity and diversity, in agreeing to disagree, and how to be compassionate to the people on the Internet.
The Cancelled Movement
The reason why cyber-bullying, meanness and hatred are so prevalent on the internet is because all we see are letters and images. We don’t really see the person. The screen dehumanizes the person that we’re talking to on. And it’s so easy for people to look at others just for their opinions that are posted on the web, and not who they are as a person.
Cancelled Mentality is when people try to cancel others because of their differences in what they believe in. The humanness of a person is reduced on their opinions and their sentiments. Nowadays, people call out people for not calling out things.
Before, if you don’t say anything, you are cancelled. But now it evolved to - if you don’t say anything that’s not on our side, you’re not using your platform so you’re cancelled as well! That leads people to be in the herd mentality of the online culture wherein when you don’t side with everyone, or you express your unique opinion, and if you keep quiet, you’ll be cancelled. How are we supposed to react on this kind of situation? And for me, I don’t want to agree and cancel anyone for their opinions. I just take it for what it is. Everything is information. (AA)
Voicing Out with Compassion
How do we show unity and diversity? How do we able to voice out our opinions while still being compassionate? Instead of cancel culture, here are some points on how we can live in unity in diversity.
1) Educate yourself
Educate yourself before you start forming your world view, your opinion, or your though processes. Do the research. It will not just help us be educated, but will help us be more compassionate. The more we research on things, the more we allow the perspective of others, and the more we understand that we have different battles to fight.
Also, every human being is different. We can’t demand people to have the same views and agree with us hundred percent of the time. Cancelled culture isn’t really the answer. It’s EDUCATION.
“If you cancel someone out, you lose the opportunity to educate them to be better part of the community.”
2) Tolerance and kindness shouldn’t just be given to the people you only agree with
It should also be given to people you disagree with.
We have this capacity to love others, to be kind and to tolerate them as long as they hold the same values and beliefs that we do. But the moment that they disagree, we suddenly brush those off.
Remember, we can’t change other people’s mind to agree with us. The only responsibility that we have is to present the truth and present better argument. Changing other people minds gives us a lot of useless pressure.
It’s either you make yourself useful or you educate yourself enough so that one day you can be useful. Start important conversations. If you can’t donate, it really boils down to praying for the people who’s doing all the gritty work. Also, we shouldn’t respond with hatred or anger right now, rather ask ourselves, “How do we change this kind of system?” We can strive for better things for our country. (JP)
No matter on which side we stand, there should always be no room for hate. It should not be the way to deal with situations. It’s really about education and information. We might not all be front liners or might not support our front liners with our wallets but there are countless ways for us to help while we’re at home.
3) Accept the diversity of people
Also, know that each human being have God-given right to have their own opinion.
The society we live in now formed a habit of deducing human beings to their biases, views and perceptions. That’s not what human beings are made of. The reason why we have so much polarization now is because we have deduced human beings to what they believe in. We are concentrating too much about the people supporting an ideology instead of the ideology itself.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
If you live your life according to the judgment of others, you would constantly yourself to please them then you’ll lose yourself. Don’t let yourself be defined by the things you read online. You are not living for other people. Look for the truth and champion for the truth. (JP)
“If you want people to respect your opinion, you have to respect everyone else’s”
People will forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Sometimes, we have the tendency to just put our opinions out there because it makes us feel better or superior, but we should think first its effect to other people. Selfishness is the reason why society is getting dismantled. If we are living just for ourselves, just to be able to express our emotions without even thinking about being compassionate that’s how we kill the souls of other people.
“You may have better ideas than other people, but that doesn’t make you more important. That’s what equality is all about. ”
If every word you post on your social media be tattooed on your body, would you be proud of those tattoos?
If the answer is no, maybe we should start rethinking how we carry ourselves.
From Episode 7 of Adulting with Joyce Pring’s Shot of Sanity: “CAN WE PLEASE BE NICER TO EACH OTHER ON THE INTERNET”:
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Adulting With Joyce Pring is the How-To’s of your 20’s told by a 20-something, traversing through life expectantly and with gusto!
Episode summary by Chiara
Soli Deo Gloria!