Can't we all just get along?

After significant events, social media posts often emerge calling for unity, love, and healing. These posts usually urge people to "come together" or "find common ground." Although they seem well-intentioned, they can be problematic as they may overlook or minimize the concerns and experiences of marginalized communities.

These posts often lack acknowledgment of the legitimate concerns and fears of marginalized groups. They may also minimize systemic issues like racism, sexism, and homophobia by emphasizing individual actions. Additionally, they can ignore power imbalances and center privileged perspectives.

Examples of such posts include "Can't we all just get along?" or "Let's focus on what unites us." While these messages seem innocuous, they can be alienating for marginalized communities.

True unity requires acknowledging systemic injustices and listening to marginalized voices. It demands a willingness to confront complex issues and prioritize justice and equity. Calling for unity without addressing these issues can be harmful and ignore the needs of marginalized communities.

The posts often take the form of a call to action, urging people to "come together," "find common ground," or "love one another." While these sentiments may be well-intentioned, they can be problematic for several reasons:

1. Lack of acknowledgment: These posts may fail to acknowledge the legitimate concerns, fears, and anxieties of marginalized communities, who may feel threatened or vulnerable in the face of certain policies or events.

2. Minimizing systemic issues: By emphasizing individual actions, such as "loving our neighbor," these posts may downplay the role of systemic injustices, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia, which are often deeply ingrained in societal structures.

3. Ignoring power dynamics: These posts may overlook the significant power imbalances that exist between different social groups, which can affect the ability of marginalized communities to advocate for themselves and their interests.

4. Centering privileged perspectives: By prioritizing a message of unity and love, these posts may inadvertently center the perspectives and experiences of privileged individuals, rather than amplifying the voices and concerns of marginalized communities.