There is an "othering" upon us right now.

People who make different choices from you or see things differently are no longer your fellow man, they're now the "un", the "anti", the "pro".

This "othering" or "dehumanizing" is routinely a precursor to genocide, and has constant rhythm in our collective history. When you first learned of it, you probably thought "How could people do that to eachother, I would never dehumanize another person based on their choices or identity."

But it happens to you gradually. It's insidious and subtle. It begins with the eye rolls. Then mocking. Then anger. Lists are made, neighbors identify neighbors, friends and family turn on eachother, usually over something that's barely understood, but felt very deeply.

You're morally superior to the other. You're convinced you're of sounder mind. You're convinced you own the future and they must leave. You'll feel ashamed of any association with the other. You'll start to blame all your problems on them.

You won't necessarily be the perpetrator of the inevitable violence against the other. Your unspoken approval emboldens others to do it for you.

But make no mistake; every genocide of every other has been enabled by a silent, cowardly majority acquiescing daily to a radical, violent few seeking to remake the world.

Pay careful and close attention to the urge to "other" growing inside you. And ask yourself; when this history is written, did you defend them?

You still have time.