Beyond Tribalism
Tribalism is an outgrowth of our fear of ‘the other’. In an age of science, prosperity and global connectivity, it’s time to move beyond this outdated and dangerous paradigm.
The truth is, I never felt comfortable in any one tribe. In fact, over the years, I have consistently squirmed—inside—when someone has called me out, even accurately, for being part of ‘this or that’ group.
Moreover, I have come to realize that for most of my life, I unconsciously found myself drawn to the other—not only to indulge curiosity, but because I’ve consistently found great beauty in the discoveries I’ve made by being a witness to people’s differences.
Simply put, the richness of human diversity leaves me in awe.
Most of us have no problem ascribing those feelings to the natural world: flora and fauna, landforms and foods… we travel the world specifically to experience that which is unfamiliar. When we return from ‘there’, we often wax poetic about our discoveries—the implication being that we have grown from our exposure to the new.
Which is spot on.
Why, then, are the majority of us so mistrusting and fearful — retreating or attacking when we come across such bounty—in human form?
