The world has become more polarized in recent years. While we hear a lot about political and cultural divides that exist in the United States, we have similar problems in Canada.
For example, one in four Canadians report hating either conservatives or liberals. And then there are the issues we regularly hear about in the news: trucker convoys and related clashes between COVID mandate supporters and those who oppose them; the stigmatization and violence experienced by Indigenous and other racialized Canadians; “culture wars,” including disagreements over religious rights, environmental restrictions, and many other contentious social and cultural issues.
But social and cultural divides are not just issues for the news. For many of us, they impact our everyday lives.
Some of us have classmates or colleagues who differ from us and we don’t see eye-to-eye with, and our interactions with them may be stressful, impacting our well-being. Or we may feel uncomfortable when polarizing issues are discussed at school, work or in the community, particularly when viewpoints we disagree with are being voiced.
Even families are often divided along ideological and other lines. Many of us have experienced awkward dinner table conversations where things are said in the heat of the moment – or important things are left unsaid – resulting in discomfort all around.
All of these divisions have many negative effects on us. They harm our personal relationships, our happiness, and even our health.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a growing movement of individuals and organizations – Bridge Builders – who are working to foster constructive dialogue and understanding across group lines, bringing us together at a time when it seems so many forces are pulling us apart.
Bridge Builders close the psychological gaps between Us and Them, encouraging others – and themselves – to recognize that their differences don’t need to define or divide them and that they can disagree with someone without dehumanizing them; instead, they work to promote empathy and understanding, find common ground when possible, and identify shared goals and values.