Acting with love is easy
Acting with love doesn’t have to be complicated. Even small acts can make a big impact. As you read, reflect on the ways you already act with kindness towards people who are different from you, and consider making it a goal to do them more often - or even try something new.
Be more engaged in your community
From organizing or attending hobby clubs, to volunteering, to attending local events, there are countless ways to get more involved in your community and connect with different people over shared values and interests.
Check in with friends and family
Sometimes, all it takes is a quick call or text. Reach out to friends or family to see how they’re doing and if they could use support with anything right now. Taking something off their plate or even just listening and reminding them that you care for them can make them feel heard, valued, and less alone.
Say hello to a neighbor
Saying hello and checking in with neighbors can help build a sense of safety and belonging. Over time, small moments of friendliness and care can strengthen our sense of community.
Support a local business
Choosing local businesses when you are able to can grow your local economy and support the livelihoods of your neighbors. Leaving a positive review and recommending to others also helps local businesses thrive.
Look for our shared humanity
Those around us may make assumptions about an individual based on their age, race, sexual orientation or other part of their identity. For instance, older adults are sometimes assumed to be “bad at technology.” We all know what it’s like to be judged based on one aspect of who we are, so rather than relying on these assumptions, try to get to know each person on an individual level and see their full humanity, such as their unique merit, experiences, and skills.
Keep learning
Spend a little time reading or watching material that helps you understand people who might be different from you. Even though you might not see the impact in the moment, you'll be more informed and better able to understand and support those around you.
Questions to connect & reflect
Whether you spend some time thinking alone or chatting with others, self-reflection and conversation with others create opportunities to better understand yourself and those around you.
Speak up & show up
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. When you see someone being mistreated for who they are, here's how you can show support.
Speak up when you see someone being bullied or harassed for who they are
It’s not always easy to know how to respond when you hear or see something inappropriate. One approach is to ask questions like “Can you tell me what you meant by that?” or “What information are you basing that on?” By responding calmly and engaging others in discussion, you can clear up any misunderstandings and create opportunities for further conversation.
Broaden your exposure to people from different backgrounds
Think about the content your family reads or watches consistently. Do the TV shows, books, games, movies and magazines you consume have a cast of different people and storylines, and explore perspectives different from your own? If not, you can start reading or watching content that broadens your exposure to people different from you.
Offer support
Sometimes letting someone know you care is all it takes to make them feel safe and seen. It doesn’t have to be a public display. Take a moment to pull someone aside or send a quick text or email — it can be as simple as saying “Hey, I saw what happened earlier; is there anything you need?” or “I’m always around if you ever want to talk about the way that experience made you feel.”
Report a hate crime
Reporting suspected hate crimes is vital to support victims and send a clear message that such actions are unacceptable. Law enforcement can also use this information to prevent future incidents.