In Nonviolent Communication (NVC), there is a behavior known as "enemyfying". It refers to the tendency to see others as enemies because of disagreements, as a way to oversimplify conflicts and and the feelings of dislikes. It turns complexity of people and things into a simple state of good-and-bad, black-and-white, win-and-lose.
By creating sides, this way of thinking divides people into those we like, trust, and agree with versus those we don’t.
Instead of extending our empathy towards people we don't agree with, enemyfying simply pushes judgments forward as if this is the only way to see the world around us.
Rather than creating sides, the alternative is to imagine that everyone is on our side. Even for the people with whom we disagree and dislike.
When our hope for the future does not rely on defeating enemies, we can focus on building connections that grow and expand.
