When looking at some of the large-scale developments in human society over the past decade, one
cannot avoid but notice a concerning toxic trend: that of hardening of stances, narrowing of
positions and the appeal to anger and fear driven by self-righteous, intolerant and entitled
perspectives that see difference as a threat to identity, sovereignty and privilege. However,
embracing and promoting difference is the source of all progress. The truth of this will sink in when
thinking about that for a while. And most importantly, tolerance and the embrace of difference is
the gift that makes freedom possible because freedom is only ever as real as the freedom to be
different that is granted to all others.