With so much horror and unrest across our country and globe against every variety of person you’d think a compassionate humanity would unite. After natural disasters people rush to aid their fellow humans. After human caused disasters they clump by likeness and throw verbal and sometimes physical stones.

People now take any dissenting voice as that of the enemy. What The Bloody Hell? For a country that prides itself on higher learning, critical thinking, and critical analysis we sure throw that out of the window the first chance we get. No more debating opinions, only debating the person stating them. This debate stems not on who they actually are, only on their similarity or difference to us or our most dearly held opinions. No more critiquing others’ words or actions from a place of knowledge that humans are complex and varied, that group labels do not mean carbon copies of a singular ideal, presentation, physicality, or philosophy.

“If you’re not with us, you’re against us” has always been a fear wielding battle cry for verbal battles and weapon battles. I remember when it was used to push through the Patriot Act oh those many years ago, and tagged on the back end was folks were “anti-American” if they disagreed. One dimensional, pet-peeve clinging, lockstep thinking was encouraged and praised. And that wasn’t the first time this tactic was used in this country. Not the first time it was used by humans.

It isn’t used only by governments. It is common for the people to use it against each other in their private lives, against family, friends, and neighbours.

We claim we desire diversity in all things – race, ethnicity, gender, religion; we even claim we want it in thought then we crow and stomp, slander and impugn, when we see such diversity in our cherished circles of family, friends, or co-workers.

Differing opinions become swords for ending relationships and fueling anger instead of fodder for discussion, understanding, opening awareness and finding ways to solve issues.

Stress induced pushing conformity by peer pressure. I am appalled.