In many ways, solidarity is required in order for good to triumph over evil. And one of the keys to fostering solidarity is empathy: the imaginative generosity that allows us to see matters from the perspective of another.

The online space holds opportunities for social/political organising & discussion. But we can’t ignore its evolution into an often toxic & fractured environment in which genuine free sharing of ideas is a rarity (in spite of the rumoured existence of a marketplace for it)

This rings true for almost any political or social justice movement. People are polarised, rooted in their perception of opposition, lacking entirely in empathy or the genuine intention to try to understand.

How do we resist the impulse to dismiss those whom we perceive as opposing what it is we believe in, mercilessly condemning them as ignorant and problematic? Do we try instead to encourage an earnest engagement that could (hopefully) benefit all parties involved?

I understand, of course, that it can be too exhausting at times to take on the work of educating strangers. In the Age of Information, there is seemingly limitless potential to access materials that can provide learnings and factual information that would allow us to grow.

I have felt similarly exasperated when having to justify for the umpteenth time the call to meaningfully address gender based violence in the eyes of someone for whom it is more important to privilege their ego and identity as a Good Guy™.

But I’m beginning to believe that there are a number of very good reasons for undertaking this work (when one feels capable, of course).

Research has shown that shouting someone down, or reflexively labelling them as a bigot for example, simply causes them to double down on existing prejudices because they feel embarrassed and insulted.

I’ve been guilty of doing just this and often. And, in spite of my best intentions, when it becomes clear that the person with whom I’m engaging is trolling me, or there exists no mutual respect or willingness to listen, then I too resort to insults, dismissals, sarcasm, etc.

But if we are *ever* to find solidarity then we maybe we have to start trying to have civil, open, earnest and respectful conversations with one another.

We must acknowledge that while the intersectional imperative drastically complicates projects, like feminism, it absolutely *has* to be a consideration for every step that we take.

We have a long way to go, I think, but more and more I think we’d be further along if we were able to have sincere conversations that do not shut down due to being rooted in “with us or against us” mentality.

If we ceased to subscribe to an “us vs. them” approach to issues we face as a nation, maybe we could begin to carve out solutions to the important issues in SA that consider each & every single one of us, making considerations where our differences are accounted for, not ignored

I’ll be the first to admit that I am idealistic. For us to achieve solidarity, it requires a conscious decision on both sides of a polarising issue to engage with respect and an openness to learn. That’s not ever guaranteed (especially where the goal is YouTube video views)

Perhaps the only person I can convince to try to learn to engage more constructively is myself. And perhaps, that’s okay. But in many ways, I hope that the tide that divides begins to change. Maybe one day.