LA Protests

The last two weeks have been wild. We’ve just come through a tumultuous two weeks, with protests erupting across the nation in response to recent immigration policy changes. For some, these moves have felt like an affront to human dignity and basic rights. To others, they’ve been a long-overdue correction to an illegal immigration problem that has spiraled out of control.

No matter where you stand, chances are you felt anger—maybe even outrage—toward the “enemies who are out to destroy our country.” How interesting that those exact words feel so true to people on both sides.

When we're emotionally charged, we tend to fall into a few predictable patterns that help us justify our outrage:

1. We compare the best of our side with the worst of theirs.

2. We assume that everyone on the other side holds the most extreme views of their party.

This is a classic example of in-group/out-group bias, a psychological tendency where, once we align ourselves with the group we believe holds the moral high ground, we oversimplify or vilify all those outside of it.

But this kind of thinking is not only myopic, it’s deeply unhelpful and strips people of the complexity that shapes how they see the world. 

There are three recommendations I’ve found helpful in avoiding this tendency.

1. Assume there's more to the story. You may not agree, but resist the impulse to reduce those who hold a different position to the simplest, most dismissive explanation or least charitable explanation.

2. Think of someone you've known and actually liked over the years who likely stands on the other side of the aisle. Odds are, their views are grounded in a decent level of thoughtfulness—even if you still disagree.

3. Be curious instead of conclusive. Ask yourself what might have led someone to believe what they do, rather than rushing to assign intent.

You don’t have to agree. But you can refuse the impulse that demands a villain in every disagreement.

~Peace