From fear to freedom: Why accepting differences matters in divided America

By Maimoona Harrington |  FāVS News Columnist

I often wonder: What would an ideal world look like? A place where every home feels safe, every belief respected and every life valued. A perfect government, a perfect society, a perfect everything. Perhaps a utopia. But does such a place exist, or has it ever existed?

Would humanity ever reach that ideal state? In my humble view, it seems nearly impossible for something to be universally accepted as “perfect.” If perfection is unattainable, then what are we striving for? What are we doing to create a better world, a better moment, a better reality?

As humans, we are rarely content. There is always a “what if,” always a debate over what is right and what is wrong. We are not created equal, nor are we the same. Our lives, our upbringing, our perspectives are all shaped by unique environments and experiences and this all makes us different.

This is not simply about living in harmony; it is about understanding who we are and how we conduct ourselves. If we can cultivate compassion and embrace imperfection, then perhaps we have found our own version of utopia. Your truth may be someone else’s falsehood. Your nationalism, your faith, no matter how deeply held, cannot be inherently superior to another’s, even though they may feel the same way.

And watch two men washing clothes, one makes dry clothes wet. 

The other makes wet clothes dry. They seem to be thwarting each other, but their work is a perfect harmony. Every holy person seems to have a different doctrine and practice, but there’s really only one work. ~Rumi

Now consider two soldiers on opposite sides of a battlefield. Each fight with conviction, each driven by patriotism and righteousness. Both believe they are right. Both may die for their cause. This illustrates the complexity of human belief: deeply personal, yet universally contested.

Perhaps, just perhaps, if we learn not to fully understand but to accept that there is “me” and there are “others,” each with their own views, we might discover a fragment of peace. Acceptance could be the first step toward hope, and hope the first step toward harmony. A perfect world may be impossible, but even the smallest effort toward respect matters.

Birth is not a choice; much of life is shaped by environment and luck. We see the world through subjective lenses, unable to fully grasp or agree with others’ definitions. And yet, in today’s climate, instead of connecting, we are disconnecting. 

While diversity and inclusion aim to foster unity, they have rather, in many contexts, become sources of polarization. Instead of harmony, we see chaos. Instead of love, hatred. Instead of creation, destruction.

America today is a paradox: a land of both freedom and fear. For some, the journey is from fear to freedom; for others, from freedom to fear. “My way or no way” has become a mantra. 

Every culture carries its own biases and taboos. Within our own communities, divisions persist: caste, social status, privilege. The complexity is undeniable. But these differences should not silence conversations about injustices.

What can we do? We can start by respecting others as they are. Teach peace. Practice empathy. Revisit the values taught by our beliefs. When respect becomes the norm, bias loses its power. And perhaps then, we will not need to fear differences but celebrate them.

The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.

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