How can we step back and accept the points of view of others in an increasingly divided society, which constantly pushes us to choose sides?
In the moral sense, tolerance is the virtue which leads one to respect what one would not spontaneously accept, for example when it goes against someone’s own convictions. It is also the virtue which leads us to be vigilant towards both intolerance and the intolerable. The virtue of tolerance is accepted as a social moral value.
In an increasingly divided society, it’s really important to take a step back and try to understand other people’s viewpoints, even though it’s not always easy, especially when we’re constantly pushed to choose a side. First, it’s crucial to really listen to what the other person has to say before reacting or judging. This helps understand why they think the way they do, even if we don’t agree with them. Trying to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes, understanding their experiences and background, can really help us better understand their opinions, even if we don’t share them. And we also need to accept that in a society, it’s normal for different points of view to exist simultaneously. It’s not about who’s right or wrong, but about having respectful discussions where we don’t impose our own truth on others.
I believe that the best way to take a step back in an increasingly divided society that wants us to choose a side, is to research on our own to educate ourselves and help understand the world around us. We need to be curious about culture, current events, history, and politics. I am convinced that this helps a lot, because, with this information, we can better understand the world and filter the information we have to digest. This prevents us from reacting impulsively. I also think that this allows us to be more rational and respond with much less emotion than others who don’t have the same background.
Finally, respect is really essential for having a constructive discussion. We can disagree without being disrespectful or getting into confrontation. Truthful dialogue is what allows us to broaden our perspectives and understand each other better. In a society where we’re pushed to pick sides, we need to remember that accepting differences and engaging in dialogue are key to making relationships more harmonious.
Here are some examples of books and films that talk about this subject and which could help you educate and cultivate yourself:
l’ingénu by Voltaire, is a book that depicts a naive but combative Huron Indian, through whom the author shows the intolerance of his century. Religious dogmatic, hypocrisy of the nobility and narrow-mindedness are at the heart of this philosophical and a moral tale ahead of its time
Les hirondelles de Kaboul by Yasmina Khadra, is a book which raises the question: How do you live a fulfilling existence in a country left in the hands of religious fanatics? A heartbreaking dive into the hell of the Taliban, told through two female and male perspectives.
Le quatrième mur by Sorj Chalandon, is a book in which each role is played by a member of one of the belligerent communities. Sorj Chalandon recounts the preparation of the play Antigone in the heart of a battered city of Beirut, even though intolerance and racism have led to the worst circumstances.
Frere d’ame by David Diop is a book which tells us about the consequences of forced colonization. It explores the integration of black soldiers into the French troops from the First World War, taking us both into the trenches and into the memories of Alfa, a Senegalese rifleman confronted with the horror of conflict.
Billy Elliot, in this movie eleven year old Billy discovers with surprise that a dance class now shares the same premises as his boxing club. At first startled, he quickly becomes fascinated by the magic of gestures and abandons his leather gloves. His talent is obvious, but his father and brother, striking miners, explode when they discover how Billy spends his hard-earned money.
Des hommes et des dieux, a film that tells the story of a monastery in the middle of the Algerian mountains. In the 1990s, eight french christian monks live in harmony with their Muslim brothers. But gradually, violence and terror take hold of this region. Despite the growing threats surrounding them, the monks’ decision to stay at all costs is growing stronger day by day.
Timbuktu, a film that talks about the city which has fallen under the yoke of religious extremists, Kidane leads a simple and peaceful life in the dunes, surrounded by his wife Satima, his daughter Toya and Issan, his 12 year old son. In the city, residents helplessly endure the regime of terror of the jihadists who have taken their faith hostage. No more music and laughter, cigarettes or even football.
