Let’s talk about the word others. That lazy label people use to separate themselves from anyone or anything they don’t understand. It’s a cheap excuse to distance, divide, and dismiss. They’re not like us, right? Wrong. There are no others — just humans, just beings, just us.
What you call “others” is just another version of you
Look around. Every so-called “other” you’ve judged or dismissed is just a version of you with a different playlist, food preference, or way of looking at the world. Sure, they might pray differently, love differently, or speak a language you’ve never cared to learn. Does that make them alien? No. They’re walking their path, just like you. Quit acting like your version of existence is the gold standard.
It’s not just humans you’re doing this to
You don’t stop at humans, do you? Dogs, whales, bees — every non-human lifeform gets the same treatment. They’re just others to you, part of the background scenery. Meanwhile, you bulldoze forests, poison oceans, and act like you own the place. They’re not “others,” they’re fellow Earthlings, just trying to survive the chaos we’ve all created.
Them vs. us: The oldest excuse
This idea of “them vs. us” isn’t new. It’s been the go-to justification for humanity’s worst moments. Wars, discrimination, environmental destruction — it all starts with deciding someone, or something is “other.” Dehumanize or disregard something enough, and you can convince yourself that anything you do to them is fair game.
We’re all stuck here together
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: we’re all in this together. The stranger you avoid, the kid from a culture you don’t understand, the bird outside your window — they’re all part of the same interconnected mess. Tear one piece out, and the whole system suffers. Pretending you’re separate doesn’t change that.
“Others” is a lazy excuse
Calling someone or something “other” is lazy. It’s a way to avoid learning, understanding, or growing. It’s easier to slap a label on something and move on than to face the reality that we’re all connected.
Time to drop the word
Stop using the word “others.” Call people fellow humans, call animals co-inhabitants, or just acknowledge the shared reality we’re all part of. You don’t have to agree with everyone or everything, but at least stop pretending they’re separate from you.
Next time you think about saying to others, don’t. Look deeper. See the connection. Or just stay quiet — the world doesn’t need more noise pretending to be wisdom.
