Dialogue in Polarizing Times

Originally published 10/25/2023
Contributed by Thamina Jaferi

As Islamic History Month comes to a close, I have been reflecting a lot on the current state of the world and the mass death, pain and suffering we are witnessing on a global scale, especially in the Middle East. Throughout history, colonialism, nationalism, patriotism, ethno-centrism, racism, classism, war, territorial disputes, politics and belief/value systems have been the cause for different groups of people to become polarized. 

When we live within our own “bubbles” of influence and only listen to voices of those who look and sound like us, it’s frighteningly easy to become cut off from those who are different than we are. When there is no ability to see a middle ground or common interests, or the humanity of others, the dangers of violence and civil unrest become more prevalent.

The alarming rise of hate incidents indicative of racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination around the world and here in Canada is just one of the many nefarious byproducts of this polarization. The multicultural fabric, security and peace of Canada and many other countries is at risk as a result of allowing hatred to sow the seeds of division amongst communities who otherwise live harmoniously with each other. 
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There are three things that we can implement to ensure that we are bridging divides between diverse communities with intersecting racial, ethnic, religious and secular identities in challenging times of polarization:

1. Resist the dehumanization and “othering” of people that are different than us

• Human rights are for all people, and the law applies to us all, equally, not just a select few based on race, socioeconomics, religion or politics
• Any death and any harm (oppression, discrimination, harassment, etc.) towards any human being matters, and each human life is inherently worthy of being protected as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code and all such provincial human rights legislation
• Dehumanization of any group does not increase the safety of other groups as it only makes peace more challenging to foster

2. Understand the role that the media plays in “othering” and think critically about the news/media sources you are consuming

• Think about the use of language in news/media to describe diverse groups and whether that contributes to their dehumanization
• Is there one standard being used for some groups but not others.  What impact does that have?
• Reflect on dynamics of power and privilege within societies, and whether different groups have the same access to resources and support. If they do not, what can be done to provide equity and equal access?

3. Listen to and honour the lived experiences of those who are different from you

• A person’s experience may be drastically different to yours but it does not mean it is any less valid and deserving of respect
• Peaceful co-existence and growth means we will have to sit with uncomfortable emotions and viewpoints that may not align with what we believe/experience
• Freedom of conscience and expression are fundamental rights that can be exercised provided they do not promote hate towards individuals or groups

These tips, along with regulating our own emotions and addressing our biases, can go a long way in seeing our common humanity. At the end of the day, each human being wants the same things including love, belonging, safety, shelter, food, family, relationships, connection, freedom, employment, opportunities, self-determination, etc.

We all live on the same planet. Our well-being and safety are interconnected. We are all interdependent on one another and only through this realization can we make realistic and equitable progress towards peaceful co-existence. This will require personal growth for all of us in order to be able to see beyond our own individual interests, focus on commonalities, and work cooperatively towards building healthier and safer communities.

For more guidance on intercultural dialogue, please visit UNESCO’s e-Platform for Intercultural Dialogue which has various helpful resources on the topic of building peaceful and inclusive societies: https://www.unesco.org/interculturaldialogue/en/publications.