Choosing unity, not sides

A snow-covered scene off Barber Hill Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The best way to resolve a problem is to get at its roots. The same concept applies to the divisive nature of the U.S. political climate, and the idea can help us cultivate a stronger focus on unity as a people.

At the heart of this divisiveness, is the pressure people often feel to choose sides politically and stick with that choice. In recent years, that mode of thinking has become ingrained in our national consciousness, accompanied by many assumptions about those who are on "the other side." Too often, we have a fixed image in mind of who they are — typically, a negative one.

The danger in that thinking is that it breeds divisiveness, by focusing on the pitfalls of a different group and building on self-perpetuating negativity. In essence, it's a dead end, not a way to unify people for the greater good. The best way forward is to choose the side of unity, and tailor our thinking to that. The more we take that approach, the less important political labels will be when we consider how to press on toward a more unified country.

In the coming months, the main indicator of progress will be what motivates us, and it would be best if partisanship wasn't in the driver's seat. Instead, we can choose to rise above those generalizations and assumptions of others, and reach out the hand of partnership to build productive relationships. Those connections will serve the goal of unity-building much better than thinking that encourages us to take sides. By planting the seeds of peace, love and compassion, we can work together and encourage others to do the same. Approaching our problems together in this way, better days are well within our grasp.

— Gareth Henderson