Heroes Not Zombies

I don’t understand xenophobia. Why fear, and/or hate, someone because of some way in which they are different from you?

The rise of political “populism” seems to be fed by, and feeds, xenophobia. Whether the targets are immigrants, asylum seekers, or those who adhere to a particular religion, those who promote “send them back home”, or “take back control”, or “secure our borders” always focus on a “them” who are not “us” and “shouldn’t be here”.

I don’t get it.

Every one of us is different. Every day of my working life patients told me stories I’d never heard before. No two of us share the same story. No two of us have the exact same history or experience. No two of us share the exact same face, the exact same voice, think in exactly the same way or respond to life’s challenges in exactly the same way.

It’s our differences which make us unique. I find that fascinating, and, an essential part of treating someone when they are ill.

And yet, despite our differences, we all share a lot. We have many, many points of connection. We share the same air, drink the same water, live on the same planet. People live in the same city together, they live in the same street together, they might buy their food and clothes in the same shops. Many of us enjoy the same music, participate in the same sports, work in the same offices, shops, factories, hospitals, or schools.

Our points of connection are infinite. How often have you had a conversation with someone and explored your shared tastes, experiences, similar memories, discovered shared contacts?

It’s our connections which make us unique.

Yes, it’s both our differences, and that unique set of relationships, experiences and connections which we have, which combine to show us, simultaneously, that we are different, and that we have much in common.

If we are to thrive together, we humans, we’re going to have to reject the poison of xenophobia, and replace it with kindness, curiosity, and compassion. Is that so hard?