Why have we created a world that divides us so perfectly? Every single decision and thought a potential vehicle to isolate us from others. Why is our thinking so black and white, so full of judgement and derision for those that do not think or act the same as us?
We are hard wired to connect and belong, to desire membership of a tribe which makes our culture of duality so embedded. It is easy to forget that we are born belonging to the human race. We are born connected to each other and the eco-system that we exist in. As babies and children we know this. We reach out and connect with anyone near us that would like to play, to engage. Creed, colour, religion and beliefs are irrelevant in the moment of sharing joy.
It is only as we mature and age that our suspicion and judgement appears and grows. It is a learned behaviour, not inherent in our DNA. We have to take responsibility for allowing that culture to embed.
I have just watched the new Heineken advert which is a delightful response to the clumsy attempt by Pepsi to broach the subject of differences and made me feel excited about the potential we have to smash down barriers and walls by meeting each other as new human beings, connecting, creating and learning.
For the past two years we have been running global events where we invite 7 year olds to work with 70 year olds and all the ages in between. We invite people of all genders, religions, cultures and backgrounds. We ask policy makers to work alongside stay at home parents and young entrepreneurs and at no time do we introduce them to one another as anything other than a person with a first name. These events produce truly unique inclusive solutions to change.
We have seen recent political outcomes catalyse protests, demonstrations and the unification of previously divided people and for this I am grateful. Having our voice heard and being galvanised around intention to change is a powerful start to the process.
However, talking and creating dialogue is merely the beginning of the journey. It is only through our individual choices every single day and our actions that real global change will happen.
I write this article not as an expert in diversity but as a concerned and passionate activist determined to change the current course of our evolution. I am an ordinary person with the absolute belief that with collaboration, I can do extraordinary things. I write this as a feminist devoted to creating a nurturing environment for everyone to flourish.
I believe I have, as we all do, a responsibility. A responsibility to understand and reduce our impact on the planet. A responsibility to ensure that every human being has the same opportunity to explore and enjoy life. A responsibility to demand that education enhances our evolution and unlocks the true potential of the human.
With the unprecedented change that is happening in the world it is easy to focus our energy on what we don’t want, rather than on what we do. Every day provides us with an opportunity to focus our collective energy on creating a world that we DO want and committing to real action to make this happen.
We have created the society and culture that we exist in either through our action or inaction and we are the ones that can change it. Blaming other people for the things that are happening is disempowering and it is time for us to take responsibility and start the change with ourselves. We need to create a new collective consciousness of awareness and accountability. It is us and only us that will make the change happen.
Originally published at medium.com