When it comes to expressing our opinions, has the ‘us v them’ approach had its day? Suppose we disagree on a certain topic and want to make our opinion heard. Then we must join forces and form an anti-group. Right? Or has the time come to approach this differently?

There are times when we disagree with others as a group. Whether at a local or national level, or internationally, our opinion is different. After all, it’s ‘us v them.’ So, we must get together and organise ourselves. WE must spend hours together in person or online, to formulate our message clearly. And print it on a T-shirt and wear it with pride. To let the other party know that we disagree. After all, we have to make a change, stand up for our rights. After all, history has shown us that the ‘angry mob’ and an anti-rights approach has brought change. On issues that matter to us.

Us v them: Now stop and listen will you

But does anyone ever wonder what the negative side of this ‘us v them’ opinion voicing approach is? That by putting ourselves in the ‘us’ position we automatically push out the other? That from the start it will keep them from really absorbing our message? That it will merely encourage that biased response we all have as humans? And that this confirming our own beliefs will happen on both us v them sides? When we are on one side of the line, ready to push our opinion across, will the message be heard? Will it give ‘them’ a way to understand our perspective in a clear way?

Finally the penny can drop

We can also change our perspective. For example, we can look into the topic in more depth, look at it from all sides. And write down our thoughts. We can send that to ‘them’ in a clear argument. So ‘they’ can read it in their own time, share it, spend some time thinking about it. Perhaps such a letter can even plant a seed, so that the penny would eventually drop for them? They can now even see aspects to it that they hadn’t before? Maybe even of what would even against them?

Has the time come to stop thinking from a ‘us v them’ approach, and calmly work towards a solution instead? It would certainly free up our time and energy to spend on other things. Who knows, doing it this way can make the world a better place. It can help pave the way for solutions instead of ongoing dramas and conflicts.

Image courtesy of Pexels, Juan Cordero

About the author

Mary Contrary just knows. Or maybe she has no idea. Who knows? In any case, she likes to think about life and see it from different perspectives. Being a little contrary has never hurt anyone, she says. Mary lives in a beautiful country, with her dog and lovely acquaintances around her, and together they enjoy watching the bat show at dusk with a glass of sherry.

Image courtesy of Pexels, Beyzaa Yurtkuran

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