Over the past decade, it seems that we have moved away from making choices rooted in our fundamental needs and have allowed polarization to guide our actions, which feels increasingly unnatural. I recently had an experience at a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation convening in Puerto Rico that reminded me how powerful it can be when humanity is our compass and the healing potential it holds for bridging divides within our society.

Each day began with a group activity that highlighted our common bonds and made space for us to connect with one another. One morning, we were invited to share a recent experience that brought us joy. I opened up about how my 8-year-old grand-nephew, who lives with autism, slept in the bed with me for the first time since he was a baby and how much joy this brought me. I watched the warmth in people’s hearts light up their faces as my peers and I continued to share our stories. You could feel the compassion and connective energy in the room, and by the end of the reflection, smiling, laughing and tears were flowing. 

When I returned home, I pondered that moment. As I peeled back the layers of our personal stories, I realized how innately connected we are because we all share the same basic human needs. These needs—love, belonging, safety, and purpose—are the foundation of our core values. Whether it’s the joy of a child’s embrace or the security of a peaceful community, our values reflect what we need most to thrive. This realization inspired me to reflect on how we can promote our humanity to combat divisiveness and foster harmony within our workplaces, public spaces, and at home, especially during election season.

The exercise profoundly impacted how we engaged throughout the conference, highlighting how our likeness can affect our ability to communicate thoughtfully and effectively. One way we can engage in this practice is by centering our conversations on the core values that drive our opinions, as opposed to the “big issue” or “big question.” 

For instance, rather than asking, “Which candidate or party do you support?” we can neutralize the conversation by shifting to “What type of country would you be proud to exist in?” or “How do you decide who to vote for?” These questions tap into our core values, which are deeply connected to our human needs. When we focus on what we need—such as a sense of community, justice, or equality—we can have more meaningful and less divisive conversations. This approach helps us zoom out of the current moment and prioritize what we’re seeking and why rather than what we’re fighting for.

Most of us can relate to envisioning a future where our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are healthy, live without disparities like food insecurity, and have access to free college education. When we recognize that our vision for the future is rooted in the needs that everyone has – regardless of race, gender, religion, and ethnicity – we embrace a humanizing lens, which helps prevent us from othering and discriminating against each other. 

Engaging in a humanizing mindset also means being thoughtful about what content we consume. The news holds significant power over the narratives we encounter. By disconnecting from biased perspectives and adopting a mindset of curiosity, we can empower ourselves to shape our thoughts, views, and opinions. By diversifying our sources, seeking historical contexts, and approaching discussions with openness rather than judgment, we can create a more compassionate understanding of the world around us. 

These practices strengthen our sense of connection, hope, and safety and inspire collective action. We are all whole human beings; our political views are just a tiny fraction of our beliefs, and when we disregard our core needs and let polarization dictate the way we cultivate relationships, we feel unfulfilled. 

While connecting with people from different backgrounds is essential for building a thriving community, it’s equally important to find people who relate to your lived experiences. Seek out those who have faced similar challenges and nurture safe spaces where you can engage, release, and grieve together. 

These intimate settings pave the way for healing and understanding in a world that often feels divided. By grounding our actions in our core values—those rooted in our basic human needs—we can combat division and work towards a more inclusive society where everyone thrives. Together, we can advance toward a community rooted in empathy and understanding, focusing on the needs that unite us rather than the differences that segregate us. Through these connections, we can combat the division and work towards a more inclusive society where everyone thrives.

So, as we navigate these challenging times, let’s remember to reconnect with our shared humanity and the core values that bind us together. By doing so, we can foster a more compassionate, understanding, and inclusive society—one where everyone can thrive.

Written by Dr. Kenlana Ferguson, Executive Director, Michigan Transformation Collective