Events unfolding in Iran — or anywhere in the world, really — don’t just stay “over there.” They reach into our homes, our neighborhoods, and our hearts. For many, these headlines aren’t distant. They stir up old trauma, trigger fresh fear, and leave people feeling vulnerable or alone.
At Paths to Understanding, we’ve seen this pattern before. When violence happens — whether it’s violence committed against a minoritized group or violence committed by individuals associated with that group — two things often follow here at home:
- Social distance grows
- Acts of bias and even violence against that group increase
That’s why we encourage people to take simple but meaningful steps. Visit your local mosque or temple. Be present. Express gratitude. Let your neighbors know you see them and that they matter to you.
It’s also important to remember: do not blame entire groups of people for the actions of a few — or for the actions of a nation-state. We wouldn’t want others to do that to us. So let’s not do it to anyone else.
And while our Muslim and Jewish neighbors may be carrying heavy burdens right now, they don’t need us to be their counselors or to solve the problems of the world. It isn’t up to them to explain or educate us. That only exhausts them. What they need is friendship. Just be a neighbor. Be a fellow human being. Be someone who shares a tradition — especially for those of us in the Abrahamic family of faiths.
In times like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to say. But sometimes what’s needed most is a simple, human conversation. Not about politics. Not about headlines. Just life. Just being present.
Because before all and after all — we’re human. And that’s where healing begins.