I feel that we are increasingly reluctant about asking things. None of us are to blame. I believe it is the fear of getting things wrong that hinders us from asking questions. The questions that I am referring to are informational questions. For example, when I introduce myself to someone, only a few people ask me things about home etc. Some people that I got to know well over time do ask me the questions that I am referring to but they admit initially they don’t ask because they ‘don’t want to sound wrong or judgemental.’

At least from my perspective, if you’re asking questions, that shows curiosity and curiosity shows that you want to know about something. How can the will to learn something new sound judgemental? But again, this is only my perspective.

A popular question that I get asked is “so do you hate India?” My usual response to this is “well, I am supposed to,” but then I go ahead and explain how Indians and Pakistanis are likely to bond better because of mutual cultural ties and not hate each other because of the geopolitical tension in the region. The only exception is a fervent BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) supporter from India and fervent supporters of one of Pakistan’s Islamist parties.

In the American context, ever since DJT’s Presidency (yes, I just called him by his initials), a Republican is likely to be bad and in the eyes of the Republican, a Democrat is worse. I have seen before my eyes people assuming things about people based on their political affiliations. Democrats have been assumed to be selective in their mourning and Republicans have been labeled as xenophobes. Many undoubtedly and clearly are, the greatest example is DJT himself, but we need to systematically think about what made us conclude that the guy at the gym wearing a Reagan-Bush shirt is likely a racist. What if his political affiliations had changed and he was wearing the shirt because he couldn’t find any other one? What if he’s apolitical? What if he doesn’t even know what shirt he’s wearing? These are questions that we will never think of.

My point is, think things through and do not reach a conclusion until you’ve actually thought them through. Unashamedly ask questions. Make it clear that you wish to be educated on something which is why you’re asking things. This will not only help us ease the unnecessary tensions that we suffer from, but also confront major stigmas and stereotypes.