Anxiety Quote by Karen Armstrong
“We are opinionated society. We're very happy to spout forth our own views; we're not good about listening. We have to listen to other's stories. Learn to listen to the stories of the terrorists just as we hope that they will listen to ours because very often these narratives express frustrations, fears, and anxieties that most societies can safely ignore.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN Forum on Tolerance, 2016
Societies often speak loudly but listen poorly; listening to all narratives reveals hidden fears
In simple terms: Listening to opposing stories uncovers shared anxieties
Key Takeaway
Practice active listening to diverse perspectives
Themes
tolerance
dialogue
empathy
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
social
philosophical
When to use this quote
- community meetings
- media analysis
- policy making
Key Concepts
conflict resolution
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we safely engage with hostile narratives?
- What structures promote genuine listening?
A Different Perspective
May be idealistic about listening to extremists
