Together

For starters, I'm not one to make big statements on social issues or to get into political arguments. I tend to listen, ask questions, try to make impactful choices, and donate to causes that I care about. I will speak up when I feel safe and, when I do, I try to reference personal experiences.

But, lately I've found myself struggling with the incredible, partially informed, giant division happening in the country, in friend circles, in families....

I was talking with someone the other night about how an alien attack on the planet might be the only way to bring us back together. But, it would have to be a big, horrible attack so you wouldn't have to deal with people siding with the aliens. ....as I'm writing this, I'm realizing there would definitely be people siding with the aliens....

Anyway. What am I trying to say...

Being a person with Korean genes, a white middle-class upbringing, a decent enough education, a creative mind, a sense of humor, a bit of swag, and a high tolerance for different kinds of people; I feel like I can go just about anywhere and, as a result, I manage to get myself into situations/conversations with a wide sample of people. It feels like an opportunity to really see people. To understand them. To realize how we are different -- but, also the same. And how we're in this together, regardless. And, I think about if there are ways that could make everyone see it that way...? An alien attack.... ?

I guess what I'm trying to say is there's value in finding ways to connect with people who aren't like you. To not unfriend everyone who doesn't think just like you. Because, there is magic in finding the spaces where we connect instead of the spaces where we are different.
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The above was drafted before the coronavirus hit. Could that be the alien?