Remember when I was reviewing feminist books and talking about 'relating across differences' without really explaining what that meant? Yeah, me too. I still don't quite know what I was talking about (though I do believe in the idea, 100%).
I returned to this thought recently when I was talking about adding fractions (a topic I discuss at least once a week, I assure you). Adding fractions is often very easy. If the fractions share common roots- like 2/5 and 1/5- then adding them up is really simple (spoiler alert: 3/5).
But when the fractions come from different foundations, the relationships are not so obvious. How to add 2/3 and 4/5? Uh, 6/8? (Spoiler alert: incorrect.)
The only way to add these is to view the problem with a wider lens. Each fraction must expand its base, so to speak, until common ground is found with the other. Without growth, it is impossible to relate across differences.
Thus, 2/3 becomes 6/15 and 4/5 becomes 12/15. Once that common ground is established, the two can come together (spoiler alert: 18/15).
Does life work in the same way? Not always. But the technique applies in a general way- to relate to those from a different background, be ready to grow and expand. Eventually, you'll get big enough to find what you share with others.
