Finding Unity in Diversity

Eric Marquette

So, let’s dive right in. When we think about things like racial divides or even tensions in society, I think it’s—it’s easy to get stuck in a sort of “us versus them” mindset, right? But, Andre, you always talk about the importance of finding common ground. Could you expand on that?

Andre

Absolutely. It's easy to focus on the differences because, well, they’re obvious. But when we start to dig deeper, we see layers of shared experiences—things like wanting to be treated fairly, to feel a sense of belonging, or to simply have the opportunity to thrive. And these things, you know, they cut across racial and cultural lines.

Andre

I remember, uh, this one particular team I worked with. It was a group of people from all sorts of backgrounds—different races, different languages even. And they’d been struggling, not because they didn’t like each other, but because they were stuck in these, you know, fixed perceptions about what the others were thinking or feeling. It was just, uh, blocking them from seeing the bigger picture.

Eric Marquette

Right, like they were focusing on the surface differences and missing the underlying connection?

Andre

Exactly. I led them through this, uh, exercise—simple stuff. I asked, “What challenges do you face at work?” And you’d expect the answers to be all over the place, but they weren’t. Everyone—every single person—talked about the same things: feeling overworked, undervalued, and, you know, unseen. When they realized their challenges were shared, it was like... like a dam broke in the room.

Andre

They started to shift, from seeing “me versus you” to “us versus the problem.” When we understand someone else’s struggles, we’re more likely to... to empathize, to connect. It doesn’t erase the differences, but it bridges them.

Eric Marquette

That’s such a powerful image—a dam breaking. And I mean, it's almost like you gave them the tools to remember their shared humanity, even in the workplace where it’s, like, so easy to focus just on tasks or productivity.

Andre

Yeah, it really is about, uh, remembering that, at our core, we all, you know, want the same things. It’s not about ignoring the differences—those matter. But it’s also about not letting those differences, um, blind us to our shared goals, our common humanity.

Eric Marquette

And when people finally see that, it’s—well, it’s transformational. I mean, because suddenly, you’re not just working with someone; you’re understanding them. You’re building something together.

Andre

That’s right. It's not easy, but it's worth the effort. And, honestly, the world could use more of that effort.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, especially when we think about, like, the bigger picture—how these kinds of conversations can ripple out beyond one team or one workplace. It really does start from those shared human struggles.

Andre

Building on that idea of shared humanity, you know, when we talk about privilege—especially the kind tied to race—it can feel... well, paradoxical. On one hand, it exists. I mean, there’s no denying the systemic ways that race has shaped access to resources, opportunities—even dignity. But on the other hand, economic struggles—even shared economic struggles—can sometimes blur that picture and remind us of those common challenges we all face.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, like, there’s a contradiction there, right? How someone can have privilege in one area but still face real challenges in another. It’s not, uh, one-dimensional.

Andre

Exactly. Look, for instance—there’s this idea of the “bootstrap mentality,” where if you just pull yourself up, it, uh, shouldn’t matter what race you are. But when we factor in things like generational wealth—or the lack of it—the picture gets more nuanced. Race and class intersect in profound ways.

Eric Marquette

Totally. And that reminds me of this historical case I read about. It was during the Great Depression, and you had white workers and Black workers both struggling big time with unemployment, right? But what was wild is how race played into the kinds of jobs and opportunities available, even when they were in the exact same situation economically.

Andre

Ah, yes. That’s such an important example. You’re talking about a system that almost pits people against each other—even when they’re, as you said, in the same boat. Race becomes this, uh, wedge that obscures the shared interest of economic justice.

Eric Marquette

And, like, what blows my mind is how often that happens even today. You know, how racial dynamics can overshadow shared struggles for things like better wages or healthcare.

Andre

Yes, and it’s intentional. I mean, divide and conquer has been a tactic for centuries—for keeping people from realizing their collective power. It’s, uh, why conversations about privilege can feel so charged. They force us to navigate both the, uh, structural realities of race and the shared challenges of class.

Eric Marquette

So, when we talk about privilege, it's not about blaming individuals, right? It’s about recognizing those structures and figuring out how we can, honestly, dismantle the barriers. Like—how do we lift everyone up?

Andre

Exactly. And dismantling those barriers requires us, first—and this is the hard part—to see them. To acknowledge the unearned, uh, advantages that some might have in one area while also holding space for the very real struggles they face in another. It’s messy, but that’s the nature of, well, the human experience.

Eric Marquette

So, it’s less about pointing fingers and more about seeing the bigger picture—the intersections, the complexities. And, I mean, that brings us back to this idea of empathy, right? Understanding where people are coming from, while also finding those shared experiences to build something better.

Andre

That’s right. Empathy doesn’t erase privilege, but it can help bridge the divides it creates. Which is, I think, the first step in addressing these, uh, collective struggles.

Eric Marquette

You know, Andre, what you said about empathy helping to bridge divides really resonates with me. It’s such a powerful idea—and it makes me think about how that plays out in real life. I know you’ve led projects where people from wildly different backgrounds came together over shared experiences. Can you walk us through one of those?

Andre

Absolutely. There was this community initiative I was part of a few years ago. It was... uh, well, it started as a response to some pretty tense racial and economic divides in the area. People were angry; they felt unheard, unseen. But what we did was— we sat everyone down and asked a very simple question: “What would a better life look like for you?”

Eric Marquette

And? What came out of that?

Andre

What was fascinating, Eric, is that the answers weren’t as different as people expected—or maybe feared. Folks wanted stable jobs, healthcare that wasn’t, you know, out of reach, and safe, thriving neighborhoods. They all talked about wanting opportunities for their kids, about dignity. And it didn’t matter if you were, say, new to this country, or you’d been here for generations—fundamentally, people wanted the same things.

Eric Marquette

Wow. It's like they were speaking the same language without even realizing it.

Andre

Exactly. And from there, we started, uh, co-creating solutions. It was amazing to see barriers, these deeply rooted perceptions about race and class, just kind of... melt away when people truly listened to each other. One of the participants even said, “I thought I was the only one struggling. I didn’t know you were too.”

Eric Marquette

That’s so powerful. I mean, it’s like, once you go beyond the surface-level stuff, you uncover this shared humanity that people, well, often don’t see.

Andre

And that’s when change starts. When we stop seeing people as “other” and start seeing them as partners, we can solve problems. Look, it’s not easy—I’d never claim it’s easy. But it is possible. It is absolutely worth it.

Eric Marquette

And that’s kinda where we come full circle, isn’t it? This idea that addressing societal challenges has to start with recognizing our shared struggles, even while appreciating our unique identities. It’s not “us versus them.” It’s—it’s all of us, together.

Andre

That’s it exactly. Building bridges isn’t about ignoring differences; it’s about not letting them overshadow the common ground we stand on. When we do that, we, uh, create space for meaningful connection—and change.

Eric Marquette

And honestly, I think that’s a message we all need right now. So thank you, Andre, for sharing your stories and wisdom. It’s been a privilege to hear your perspective.

Andre

Thank you, Eric. It’s been a pleasure, and I hope our listeners, you know, take something valuable from this.

Eric Marquette

Absolutely. And that’s all for today’s episode of "Engaging Thought." Thanks for tuning in, everyone. Until next time, take care and keep fostering those connections.