We are all mixed bags, because we are all learning and growing. Recognising our own areas in need of growth helps us to become empathetic to and compassionate of others' need for growth, and so we are in a better position to help people, ourselves included.
Very often we are raised by and with people like ourselves. In such a situation we may learn about people who are largely different from us secondhand. Because how we live our lives and how we have come to see others seems normal to us, we may not always recognise where we are making limiting and downputting assumptions about others. Generalisations are difficult to impossible to be completely removed from our thoughts, but we can choose to take each person and each circumstance as they come, willing and interested in finding what is best in them and prepared to deal with what might be worst.
Let us say that humanoid beings from the planet Neptune landed in your street. They do not appear hostile and they have an electronic translator, so that you can talk with them. You might tell these beings that you have seen scary films where aliens destroy buildings and hurt people. You might tell them that you have also read science fiction books with very wise aliens in them. You say that you do not really know what to expect, you are somewhat afraid, but you are willing to learn about them and their culture. They will just need to tell you when something is a problem for them, and you will let them know when something is a problem for you. This is an appropriate way to approach anyone of a different culture or ethnic background. In this way we can get beyond our own prejudices and intolerances.
Copyright © 2002 March 08, Katherine Phelps