MUNROE BERGDORF
“Conversation is always the solution”
The author and activist on why communication is key to combating the rising tide of hate
LUKE NUGENT
Lately, it feels as though we have reached a point in history where we are collectively overwhelmed by information, content and an incessant and rapidly changing news cycle. Whereas in the past something sensational might happen once a month, now every single day there’s something mind-blowing occurring, and we’re all encouraged to have an opinion on it.
However, we’re also now living in a society that’s becoming increasingly polarised, to the point that many of our conversations aren’t conversations at all. So often, we’re encouraged to simply pick a side, rather than find a solution or a compromise. We’re so concerned with being ‘right’ that we fail to meet each other with respect, understanding and empathy. We don’t seek to understand how somebody landed on the views that they have, and this lack of genuine conversation is one of the biggest barriers we face to achieving real progress.