An Us Without A Them

Have you ever considered the pervasive harm caused by our tendency to categorize the world into good versus evil, into Us versus Them?

We live in a diligently divided world, where every issue seems to boil down to either good or bad.

Whether in politics, religion, or sports, we often find ourselves in the Us-versus-Them mindset.

It's a story we tell ourselves - a powerful narrative that shapes our conflicts, politics, and relationships.

And sure enough, each and every one of us firmly believes in being part of the one and only godly team.

Undoubtedly, it is Us who think and do the good things, while all evil is to Them.

According to Verbal Klint, the physically disabled con artist from the movie 'The Usual Suspects,' the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he (the Devil) didn't exist.

We all know that first trick: Hiding in the shadows.

• Corporations masking destruction as "green initiatives."

• Politicians wrapping up wars as "humanitarian missions" or promoting "nonhazardous pharmaceutics."

• The food industry marketing processed foods as "healthy choices" by slapping labels like low-fat or natural ingredients.

And other falsification measures. All those are apparent deceptions, preying on our credulity.

Kind-hearted people often struggle to recognize such delusions because they assume everyone operates with only good intentions.

However, the second trick is subtler - and much more dangerous.

The Devil convinces us he doesexist, but only in 'those people.'

You know, the ones we blame for everything wrong in the world:

• The corporations.

• The politicians.

• The left.

• The right.

• The "Unvaccinated."

• The Jews.

• The "other" country.

And many more.

While we are busy pointing fingers, we miss the real issue, as this mindset pulls us into a cycle of conflict, creating more division, hate, and suffering.

Remember the latest COVID-19 case.

It brutally split society into two camps: the so-called vaccinated versus the so-called unvaccinated.

Each side blamed the other for expanding the crisis.

The "Covinists" were called "sheep-minded idiots," accused of blindly following authority and supporting anti-democracy.

On the other hand, the "unmodified" were labeled selfish, reckless, anti-social, and even murderous.

Suddenly, entire relationships were defined by a single choice.

And what did that accomplish?

Did it solve any problems?

Did it bring us any closer to strong human fellowship?

No. It deepened the cracks in our society, turning neighbors into enemies and friends into strangers.

Nothing but fear, resentment, and broken relationships.

Instead of coming together to face a shared challenge, we let division rule.

This Us-versus-them mindset isn't just a social annoyance.

It's a toxin that spreads far and wide.

Think about what happens when we demonize others:

• We justify cruelty in the name of "righteousness."

• We give ourselves permission to shut down conversations and stop seeking understanding.

• Worst of all, we lose sight of the bigger picture - the shared humanity that unites us.

COVID-19 wasn't just a health crisis.

It was a mirror showing us how easily we fall into tribalism.

Whether it's over vaccines, politics, or religion, the story is always the same.

We label, we divide, and we dehumanize.

When we divide the world into heroes and villains, we allow ourselves to do terrible things in the name of "good."

History shows us the patterns: nations claiming moral superiority commit atrocities while calling it justice.

We still see this same dynamic in modern politics.

Leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu frame conflicts as battles of "civilization versus barbarism," calling for "Us" to destroy "Them."

It sounds compelling.

But that kind of black-and-white thinking blinds us to our flaws and leads to catastrophic consequences.

But it isn't just about nations.

It's about us, right here at home.

That Us-versus-Them thinking is ripping through families, communities, and even friendships.

We're like a cracked windshield, holding together for now, but one minor hit could shatter everything.

Here's the thing: When we focus on tearing others down, we lose the chance to build anything meaningful together.

By disparaging others, we demolish human potential while killing the roots of mutual intelligent human evolution.

Who benefits from promoting division and othering?

The answer is as old as power itself: those seeking to control, profit, or consolidate influence.

By seconding an Us-versus-Them mentality, these forces shift their focus away from their own actions and onto fabricated enemies.

So-called politicians rally support by scapegoating entire groups - immigrants, the wealthy, the poor, or political opposites - distracting from their failures or corrupt agendas.

Corporations thrive by pitting consumers against each other in ideological battles, diverting attention from their exploitation of workers and the environment.

Media outlets, driven by ratings, amplify outrage and fear, knowing that division keeps people glued to the screen.

The real evil isn't just the visible conflict; it's the machinery of manipulation driving it, profiting off our tribal instincts while leaving us weaker, angrier, and more divided.

Understanding and recognizing this manipulation is a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of division.

Throughout history, societies have used scapegoats to channel their fears and frustrations.

When times are tough, it's easy to unite against an enemy - real or imagined.

But this strategy comes at a cruel cost.

The COVID-19 thing taught us a hard lesson:

Division weakens us.

But it also showed us the way forward.

The way out is cultivating a mindset of interconnection.

This can be done by actively seeking to understand others' perspectives, practicing empathy, and focusing on our shared humanity.

This iswhat the Zulus call Ubuntu: "I am because we are."

It's a philosophy that underscores the interconnectedness of all people, reminding us that my humanity is inseparably linked to yours.

What if, instead of blaming the non-compliants for prolonging the crisis or calling the vaccinated anti-liberty blind followers, we had focused on what connected us?

Our shared desire for health, safety, and freedom?

What if we had quickly figured out what the blame game was about?

What if we had refused to divide or be divided?

That shift could have transformed a time of discord into an opportunity for unity.

Demonizing others doesn't solve anything.

It just deepens the cracks, allowing wannabe dominators to thrive against humanity, peace, and freedom.

If we want real progress, we must stop seeing others as enemies and start seeing them as partners in the same human story.

The alternative to division isn't weakness.

It's strength.

United strength.

It's recognizing the Ubuntu strategy.

Ubuntu means creating an "Us" that doesn't require a "Them."

This is more than just a lofty idea.

It's a call to action.

In your daily life, you can choose to stop feeding the devastating cycle of division.

However, the Ubuntu concept isn't about ignoring conflicts or romantically pretending everything is fine.

Instead, it involves the Stoic idea of accepting things as they are first and foremost rather than complaining about them.

Ubuntu also invites you to FTF (Fck The Fear).

As late Zig Ziglar suggests, F-E-A-R has two meanings:

Now, unsurprisingly, Ubuntu suggests turning to the latter.

Needless to say, Ubuntu perfectly aligns with the INVICTUS core freedom idea of Live and Let Live.

Wanna give it a go?

Here are three projections to start with.

1. Focus on the Struggle Shared

During the dark days of COVID-19, many of us faced uncertainty, fear, and tough decisions.

Instead of asking, "Why did they do that?" ask, "What did they experience that led to that choice?"

This shift opens the door to empathy.

2. Listen Without Prejudice

Victors listen to understand, not to argue.

When we listen without judgment, we create space for connection.

3. Focus on the Bigger Picture

Remember:

The goal isn't to "win" against Them.

It's to create a world where everyone can thrive.

That requires collaboration, not conflict.

• When a disagreement arises, ask yourself: What's the bigger picture?

• When someone acts out of fear or ignorance, respond with curiosity, not judgment.

• When others attempt to divide, choose to unite.

Let's get real, raw, and radical.

Blaming Them is easy, but it doesn't solve anything.

Whether discussing Covinists vs. Covidiots, political parties, or nations, the cycle of blame only deepens the divide.

As the theologian René Girard pointed out, societies have long used scapegoats to channel their fears and frustrations.

In times of crisis, people unite against an "enemy" to feel safe and potent.

But this strategy has a clear dark side.

It blinds us to the real issues and sets the stage for further suffering.

Switching to the unfamiliar Ubuntu strategy may feel hard at first.

However, it is most rewarding on the quick.

It isn't just about fixing society.

It's about freeing yourself.

Remember, the facts will set you free.

Because you will set the facts.

When you let go of the need to divide the world into Us and Them, you step into a space of power, clarity, and possibility.

So, here's your challenge.

Start with your own life.

Instead of labeling others, choose to see them as part of the same human story.

Whether it's a coworker with different political views or a family member who made a choice you disagree with.

Choose to see them as someone navigating the same messy, beautiful journey as you.

A new story has already begun.

What will your role be in this story?

Will you be the one who fuels the fire of division, or will you rise above it?

The world needs victors who see the bigger picture.

Victors like you.

You are THE ONE.