Unity vs. Separation – What is the Goal?

Our world has become highly divisive. For some, tolerance for differing opinions and lifestyles is nearly extinct. Shockingly, in this century, we’re still dividing ourselves into categories of white or black, Christian or Jewish, educated or ignorant. When scrolling through social media, there’s an endless list of groups or events that deliberately exclude others. The message is clear: ‘No, you’re not welcome at this event unless you have the same skin color, education, religion, or political belief.’

This has resulted in enforcing exclusion rather than encouraging inclusivity to promote better understanding among all of us. Worse yet, it has caused a rift in loving relationships under the guise of good versus evil — a viewpoint that can only lead to tearing apart instead of collaboration and building.
Unity doesn’t mean blind agreement; it simply means staying connected despite our differences. We can agree to disagree. This doesn’t imply that we condone harmful behavior; instead, we develop solutions that involve give and take. There’s a middle ground for every conflict — especially when we’re armed with facts rather than opinions or fiction. This requires responsibility for finding the truth, which cannot be done blindfolded.

Separation occurs when someone is considered too damaging or wrong to remain in one’s life. Naturally, there are circumstances in which this is the best course of action. When someone poses harm to themselves or others, mutual protection becomes essential for the well-being of everyone involved. Some individuals are so loud, aggressive, or otherwise toxic that it is wise to distance oneself from them. However, even these situations can be approached with love without inflicting unnecessary pain.

Differences are good, not deadly. Some of us remember black-and-white films. When color was introduced, the industry flourished (among other reasons). Variation is more appealing to our senses. If every flower were the same color, or every house had the same structure, and if everything were monochrome, the world would be much less appealing. Like everything else, unique human variations enrich the world rich in art and culture. Uniting these interests enhances everyone.

No one is evil for having a different skin color, religious or political belief, or sexual preference. Evil arises from severe damage to one’s psyche, leading to complete derangement. It results from abuse, neglect, or, in some cases, the interests of one person being prioritized over what is best for all. Yet, many people have remained loving and connected even in these situations. We can learn from them; they have taken their hardships and transformed them into opportunities for helping others instead of harming others.

This 21^st century presents an opportunity to transition from debasing each other to collaborating. The choice is always between fear and love. Do we want to be driven by our fears and imagined outcomes or by the trust that we can unite if we commit to a resolution rather than separation? Families, cities, nations, and the entire world rely on unity instead of division.

We can choose to be a voice of reason or one of division. Like it or not, we’re all descendants of the same gene pool of early humans, which means we’re all related. We don’t have to like our differences, but we don’t have to hate them either. Nor do we need to impose our values on others; instead, we should practice open-mindedness and a willingness to learn anew.

We can never truly know one another if we remain locked out. Some of us want to learn about you and understand why you feel the way you do. I spend my social time in naturally inclusive places, such as dance classes, 12-step meetings, Toastmasters, and business groups. Engaging in activities that teach me new things and connect me with all types of people fosters inclusive and loving friendships. When we unite from a place of love, we have a chance to be the brothers and sisters we were meant to be. John Lennon said it best: “All you need is love. Love is all you need.”

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