One of the most damaging aspects in our society is our tendency to create an "us vs. mentality" with practically everything. Whether it be political, religious, or simply a petty disagreement, we like to demonize and mock anyone that thinks differently from us.

For example, there is a recurring trend in politically aimed posts and speeches: They attempt to make the other side sound like the most morally bankrupt people of all time. We have a nasty tendency to assume that people who think differently from us are somehow inherently flawed, when they may just have a different perspective and way of looking at things.

It's easier to pretend that liberals are stupid, ignorant morons than to actually understand the reality of why they believe what they do.

It's easier to convince yourselves that conservatives are selfish, uniformed, and entitled than to truly investigate why they think their ideas are the best.

And yet, we jump so hastily to the extreme. If you support a political candidate, you start to believe that all the other candidates are corrupt and evil. If you hold a certain belief about humanity, you start to believe that anyone who shares a different belief is simply uncultured and unfamiliar with how society truly works.

We forget so quickly that other people are human. We lump together entire groups of political parties, religions, and worldviews as “full of brainwashed idiots” without actually considering how those people came to believe and think the way they do.

In reality, we are all human beings. We are all trying our best to go the right way and do the things that are important to us. When somebody voices a view on a topic, they aren’t saying it with the intention to destroy the country or to ruin the lives of other people. Instead, they’re saying what they sincerely believe will make the world a better place to live in.

Now, we must also remember that ideas about how to change the world are often flawed and full of holes. In spite of that, a person who believes in a flawed idea is generally not stupid or incapable of thinking rationally. They simply just came to a different conclusion.

Next time somebody presents you with an opinion or idea that differs heavily from what you believe, don’t immediately label them as a fool. Listen closely to what they are telling you. Try to consider the matter from their perspective. You very well might learn something.

The most important thing to remember if we want to make the world a better place is this: There is a human being behind every opinion, worldview, and thought that you disagree with. We must stop the "us vs. them" mentality in our society and actually talk about things maturely. If not, we'd simply become more hateful and bitter.